Middlebury register. (Middlebury, Vt.) 1886-1937, 1914-07-10
EDUCATION IN VERMONT.
BY JAMES MASCARENE HUBBARD.
-. 1899. - ..-,,1, ,.o~-r,,,x
IN THE Atlantic MONTHLY.


Vermont has set an example to the
other States of the Union in being the
first to make comprehensive effort
to study its educational possibilities.
In conformity to an act of the legisa-
ture, approved in November, 1912, the
governor appointed commission of
nine persons to inquire into the entire
educational system and condition of
this State. To secure the information
essential for an intelligent and adequate
report, the commission, which included
among its members the President of
Columbus University, DR.. Nicholas M.
Butler, and the President of the Amer
lean Telephone and Telegraph Com
pany, Mr.. Theodore N. Vail, invited
the Carnegie Foundation for the Ad-
vancement of Teaching to make AN ex-
pert study of the school system, includ-
ing the higher institutions of learning.
Acting upon this invitation, the Foun-
dation caused to be made first-hand
study of education in Vermont, en-
bracing the whole system, from ele-
mentary school to university.
The detailed examination of the ele-
mentary schools was committed to Pro-
fessor Milo B. Hillegas of Teachers
College, Columbia University; of the
secondary schools to DR.. William S.
Learned of the Harvard School of Edu-
cation; and of the normal schools and
the State system of administration and
expenditure to Professor Edward C..
Elliott of the University of Wisconsin.
Other expert service was employed for
special fields, as the agricultural college
and its relations to the farming indus
tries, medical and engineering schools,
library facilities in relation to the pub.
lie schools, and the system in use OF
school accounts and financial state
ments.
The result of these investigation:
have been published in Bulletin, the
primary purpose of which is to place
in the hands of the commission the
essential facts which will enable then
to form conclusions, to make recon
mendations, and to propose legisa
ton. Accordingly, it is of great interes
to all who have at heart the better
ment of our educational system. Fo
the conditions are not peculiar to Yer
ment; similar conditions prevail through
out the country, and the conclusion
reached should be thoughtfully AM
carefully considered, even though on,
; may not entirely agree with all tn
statements or recommendations.
A remarkable array of facts of ever.
kind, from the course of study to tn
: condition of the schoolhouses, is to b
found in the report of Professor lille
gas on the elementary schools. 1t
interesting to note that in the proper
ton of children of school age enrolled
Vermont holds the first place amon
the States. His criticisms are mainl
of the instructions given, the principe
aim of which, he says, is preparatio
for the high school. Considering tn
fact that practically none of the rura
, school children enter the high schoO
he maintains that there should be tw
courses of instruction-on for tn
, rural and one for the graded tow
children of the countryside are taugf
only to read inditferently, to writ
clumsly. and to make ordinary calculi
tions with difficulty. The child
t interest in the life of his community
2 weakened, and either he is made a
t idler, because he has not been taugf
= to do work that is based upon tn
= requirement of skill, or he is educate
/ away from the life in which he hs
= grown up. His face is turned from til
2 duties and opportunities of his ow
n home to the more tempting but MOI
4 illusory ventures of city. Many wi
e agree with the conclusion, that som,
0 thing is radically wrong with scho'
s in an agricultural community that d.
. velops motormen, stenographers, ar
e typewriters, and fails to develope ia
e mers, dairymen, and gardeners.
,, There is much valuable informatiC
j. in DR.. Learned's report on the secon
l. airy schools. 1t is the outcome of pc
l. sonal visit to nearly half of the hii
e schools and academies, and caref
study of all attanable facts in regal
to attendance, curriculum, and Il
training OF teachers. A fact whit
n stands out prominently and should
n emphasized is than almost without e
d ception' the teachers gave the il
Y preston of being high-minded, natu
y ally capable and painstaking men al
d women who are doing honest al
e faithful work 1t is matter of regr
+bot M. I hoe anDarpntlU h,