The Manchester journal. [volume] (Manchester, Vt.) 1861-current, 1915-01-07
BOARD or EDUCATION REPORT
4 Higher Standard Of Work and Re-
suits Can b. Attained

tlonarY ih educational reform durini
the period Of the examination OF II
system. The Board has adopted regu
lations for the certihcation Of higi
school teachers, which places Vermont
By the side Of Massachusetts, and New
York in requiring all high school
teachers TO be college graduates, "a
have specialized in at least two sub
jecis for three years In college and in
two others for two years, and in addi-
ton to have devoted part Of at least
two years to special teacher training.
II Il believed that the results will be
beneficial, for, as the report says
'Tho teacher makes or mars the
school. Laws may be perfect, equip
ment ample, and public support loyal
and generous, but unless the teacher is
competent and conscecrated, the re-
suits In the lives Of the children will
be disappointing. Vermont has no
more serious responsibility than the
determination OF the standards she
will enforce in the appointment Of the
teachers OF her public schools"
Qualifications of Union Superintend.
ents
The Board has also raised the stand
ard for certihcation Of Union District
Superintendents Heretofore persons
who have never completed high
school course have been able TO qualify
for these positions. The cost OF TINS
service TO the State exceeds $4,000 a
year. The State is vitally inter
estod, therefore, in the quality OF the
persons chosen for this work, and has
a right TO insist upon high degree oil
special preparation. The regulations
adopted by the Board require gradua-
tion from college or normal school,
teaching experience Of at least two
years, and evidence of professional
knowledge Of the history Of education,
educational psychology, school admin
istration, and methods Of teaching.
Elementary Teachers
AS to the certifcation of teachers
for grade positions and district schools
the report says,-"The present stat
utes upon this subject are elaborate
and detailed. 1t would promote eiiic-
iency If the complicated provisions
were all repealed and the entire mat
ter placed in the hands of the Board
Of Education, with the simple provi-
sion that the Board should determine
the qualifications of elementary teach
ers The administration of this pro-
vision would devolve upon the Super
intendent of Education, as at present,
but freedom and elasticity would be
secured. and opportunity afforded to
raise the standard as circumstances
might allow. The schools must go on,
and they must have teachers, but the
malitv of teachers will be determined !
m the end by the standards set by the q
State. When the State is free, through Q
Is administrative agency, to recognize C
itness and merit, and to refuse ap- q
,roval of those whom experience has |
'ound to be unworthy, no matter what 4
examinations they may have passed, 4
he way will be open to better teach 4
ng force throughout the entire bounds f
Il the State" v
Normal Schools and Training Glasses Il
The Board has full responsibility for II
he State Normal Schools at Castleton fl
md johnson. at has conceived its "
uty TO be that of trustees, responsible
o the State to make these schools as Il
uccessful and efficient as possible dur "
NJ its administration Of them. The el
tate has established and maintained S,
hem, and has entrusted them to the Il
are of the Board, and it is the clear m
uty of the Board to make the most OF IL
hem as they are, in good faith, so g
ing as they are continued. When the ia
oard came into Office, they found both OF
,hools in a serious condition. The as
ntering class at Castleton numbered be
inc and at Johnson fifteen. The prln- 81
nal at johnson had resigned in the
,iddIe of the year, giving as his be
,ason lack Of support on the part OF lie
tate officials. The Board revised the nc
,urse Of study, changed the entrance Ia
,quirements, and instructed the ae
hool to make vigorous campaign to an
crease the attendance, so that the Ia
tate would receive full value for its Gu
,propriations. The results have been bu
The entering class num- ~
RS 81 this year at Castleton and 46 m'
johnson. The number Of students TN
Is increased from 5S in 1923 TO 73 tu
19i4-i5, and at Johnson from 81 to TN
in the same period" OF the train Is
q classes, of which the Board has po
Ithorized l5 and 10 in the respective
ars, the Report says,--"The training
asses are now an essential part of CT;
g State system Of education and in
ould be further encouraged and de- pia
loped" ha
Equalization Of School Privileges tor
The Report commends the recon-
Of the Educational Commits
N as TO more adequate State sup run
ri Of schools in small towns. II Ne
ys,---"Any proposal to lift the be
nools in the small towns to the level av,
efficiency already attained in the ant
IRE favored communities should have hin
, respectful consideration Of every
end Of Vermont Your Board viii
rrort with enthusiasm any uractical ,oa