The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1916-10-12

to support normal schools and training
classes within our high schools. Thu
policy has been in operation long enough
To begin to show some of the results
During the school year l9l5-l6 the STATE
Office issued IS teaching permits. This
indicates that in at least 6S cases schoo
officials could not obtain properly quail
fled teachers. This, ] am reliably in
formed, is the smallest number OF per
mits issued during any year prior to that
date. Thus far this year two permits
have been issued. 1t would have been
possible in each of these cases to have
secured trained teachers had il not been
necessary to open school at once.
"We can therefore claim that except in
two schools in this state there are either
teachers who have received at least one
Year of training or those who have had
more than one year of experience in
teaching. The very success of this poll
| icy must lead us to some serious consid-
erations regarding the training of teach
ers. We are fast approaching the time
when a person with inferior preparation
cannot hope TO receive a teaching posi-
tion within this state. Probably this
year as never before, school officials have
examined the professional qualifications
of teachers prior to their employment.
1t will soon be a question whether our
girls who have not completed the high
school course should enter the training
classes. This is not a problem for the
state as much as it is for the indiyiduat.
During the past year several promising
young women have found that the way
to college has suddenly opened but that
they are debarred from entering these in
stitutions because they have had only
three years of high school work, having
taken their fourth year in a training
class. We should nowhere in our edu-
cational system allow students to enter
blind alleys or to take such courses as
will require them to retrace steps if they
wish to enter other fields later on. The
best advice that can be given to any
young lady within our state is to secure
a high school education before beginning
her professional work.
Enough has been said to show that
the problems connected with teachers
training in this state are gradually
changing. We need the services of we'll
trained teachers, and such are sure to re-
ceiye adequate reward for their work.
Our responsibility, however, for the
training of teachers does not end with
the supplying of our own needs. The
most recent census report shows that in
Vermont there We're at least 26 trades
and occupations employing more than
| 900 men Our boys, therefore, have
choice in the work that they
shall take up when they leave the school. |
On the other hand, apart from the posi-
tion of domestic servant there were but |
three occupations employing 1000 wom-
en- Two OF these are connected with |
sewing and dressmaking and the third is |
teaching. If therefore one of our girls |
desires to leave her home and become an
wage Garner she must if she |
in the state make her choice be-
tween domestic service and teaching. /
What has been said concerning the rails
ny Of standards for admission to the
eaching profession in this state applies
with equal force in most other states.
Vermont boys are able to compete sue
.essfully in the trades and industries
With those from any other place in the
-ountry. 1t is only fair that our girls
should receive as generous treatment in
,ocational education as is given to the
,ovs.
"The office of superintendent, particu-
arly of the superintendent of rural
chools, is a comparatively new one. In
most states there have been long strug-
lies ending in more or less definite com
Promises before supervision of rural
chools could be obtained. Vermont is
low able to claim qualified supervision
or each school within its borders. The
Importance of this supervision can scarce
V be over estimated Through the wise
provisions that safeguard the interests
f the superintendent the state has been
Bile to secure group of supervisors who
ank second to none in this country.
luring even the short time that many
+ them have been in their present fields
hey have won place for themselves in
he community life Even the rumor of
change Of superintendent is often suf-
Gent cause to bring to the state Office
rgent requests that if possible we re-
ain the services of the superintendent
Viewing the history of SUI
eryision in this state | cannot but be-
eve that the citizens of Vermont have
reat faith in the efficiency of school
lpervision feel sure that the men
nd women who have been entrusted
it'll this service viii justify the conf
ence placed in them.
q cannot leave this subject without
ome reference to the boys and girls for
HON the schools exist. In some places
lere have been opportunities for chill
rem to show their interest in the vel
ire of the school by intelligent assist
nee in improvements. The results have
zen most gratifying. am everywhere
impressed with the fact that the old =
me desk -carving, property destroying
lpil is disappearing and in his place we
ave a child who respects the efforts
at are made in his behalf ! have had
lie privilege of visiting a large number
schools. The uniform courtesy which
&c boys and girls have manifested and
er very evident ambition to do their