Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1918-01-24
MUST MAINTAIN
SCHOOL STANDARDS
Commissioner Hillegas Tells Su.
perintendents That War Re.
yeals the Essentials.

Montpelier, Jan. 17.--The commissioner
< education has sent to the superintend-
nts of schools in Vermont the following
etter in which he explains the need Of CO.
operation In every branch of work that the
Educational department may do it's most
kfficent work and calls attention to the
hanges in study courses as arranged by
he conference of teachers here last week.
Ny dear Superintendent:
The coming months are certain to be
most trying to teachers and superintend-
(nts. Teachers will see their companions
inter occupations that will appear to them
be more closely connected with patriotic
ervice and naturally theywill question the
yalue Of their own services in the school.
Euperintendents will experience increas-
ng difficulty in keeping schools supplied
With teachers and many of those who are
occurred will be unframed. Supervision
will be put to n crucial test. Teachers
must be made conscious that their efforts
re not wasted and that their services are
appreciated Our aims and purposes must
be made so clear to the public that they
will understand and cooperate. Thus far
am confident that our schools have i'm
proved under the changed conditions.
If we are to emerge from this war with
EDUCATION in Vermont strengthened 1t is
learly necessary to shift the emphasis
how placed on some subjects that have
been considered Of the greratest i'm
bortance to others whose place in the
public school curriculum has been In
oubt. The last nine months have shown
more clearly what things are essential
han twenty years of peace could possibly
have done. We have felt that agriculture.
Conservation, thrift and right living were
Important and should be included in our
Pchool work. but how important they are
Ind how strongly they should be en-
bhasized was not realized until the present
erisis came. Now that a compelling force
provides the motive for accenting these
md like phases of education, we must
ecide how to shorten the existing routine
10 as to allow for more attention to these
Fubjects; how to rearrange the work in
he other school branches so that each
bne may help to bring about the desired
results; and how to teach them, one and
Ill. so that they may assist in making OF
bur boys and girls intelligent and success
Jul citizens of democracy.
In order that the superintendent and
eachers of Vermont might have some sug-
yestions to help them in this rearrange-
nent. the commissioner Of education called
OSetner groups OF individuals represent
ng the various phases of the work to be
considered, and requested them to offer
plans for making the necessary changes
with the least inconvenience and the
greatest economy. These reports will take
he form of practical suggestion and
will be sent to each superintendent. There
will be a sufficient number to place them
n the hands of all the teachers If the
superintendent consider it desirable and
DO request. The various reports will be
sent out separately from the commission
FRS Office in the order in which they are
completed SO that there may be no avoid
able delay in beginning the work.
The first report will deal with admins.
ration and management and will sugges,
practical plans to economize time an6
eliminate wasted efforts on the part OF
teachers and pupils.
Please request from this office any as
distance that we are able to offer.
Sincerely yours,
NJ. B. HILLEGAS,
Commissioner of Education.