Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1920-10-14
COLLEGE
At DURL|NG 10 n
State Board Of Education Will
Recommend That Institution
Be Established Here at Cost
of 100000

100000, and located at the University of
Vermont in this city, is the unanimous
recommendation of the state Board OF
Education. according to a statement made
at the State Teachers convention Fri
day morning by Luther r. Johnson. of
Randolph, chairman of the Board OF Edu-
cation. This Teachers College will carry
on the work of training teachers which
has been done for many years by the nor
NAL schools at Castleton and Johnson
Free tuition will be furnished by the
state in thus Teachers College
Tho decision in favor of Burlington and
the University Of Vermont as the site for
the new Teachers College came after
the state Board had received the report
of DR.. William G.. Bagley of Nav York,
who. at tho request of the board. made a
thorough investigation of possible sites
for the location of such n college. DR..
Bagleys report substantiated by argu-
ment and data. was to the effect that
the proposed college should be established
In tho city of Burlington. providing it
could be done in connection with, but
have distinct identity from the Uni
versity of Vermont. Some Of the reasons
for this decision by DR.. Bagloy are given
in Mr.. Johnson's statement. which is
printed in full below.
According to the agreement reached be-
tween the authorities of the University
of Vermont and the state Board of
Education, the University is to furnish
the site for the main building of the
Teachers College, and will take the
initiative in raising s2Oo, 900 to be added
TO 100000 rendered by the Carnegie Cor
poration. conditioned upon the raising
Of 100000. The state Teachers College
will be coordinate in rank with the
other colleges at the University. The
head of the Teachers College and the
faculty will be selected by the State
Board of Education, which will have
supervision. also, over the currcula.
Although the Teachers College will
have its separate buildings and equip
ment. it's students will enjoy the use Of
the University campus and equipment
under reciprocal arrangement. The
state will pay the University a fair re-
compense for the use of its equipment.
In making the statement regarding the
establishment of the new Teachers Col
lege, Mr.. Johnson reported fully on the
policy Of the State Board of Education
in the entire matter of teacher training.
which led up to the decision for a central
training school Mr.. Johnson's statement
is here given In full:
The State Board of Education deems
this fitting time and occasion to make
a statement concerning its policy in re-
gard to teacher training--a very .impor-
tant matter, as conditions exist--also to
develop. so far as they are formulated.
the plans Of the Board.
At the present time. due to the action
Of the Legislature at its last session, there
are no agencies in Vermont for the train
ing of elementary teachers except the
one-year courses established and con-
Quoted in certain high schools, and the
finishing course at the University of
ermont specially introduced the pres
ent year for the benefit Of the students
cut off at the two State Normal schools
when these latter were discontinued. The
Legislature took no steps toward the in
stitution Of other teacher training agen-
cies when it refused to continue the State
Normal schools.
1t has been assumed. however, that the
State Board Of Education would give the
subject thorough study and investigation
and be prepared, at least before the leg
islative session of 1921, to recommend a
policy. The Board has not failed to act
III line with this assumption. 1t took up
the matter promptly; has through COM
mittees Of its own members investigated
conditions In other States; has had the
advice and assistance Of unprejudiced ex-
perts who have made their own indie
pendent Investigations; has sought and
received the opinions of smany people
within Vermont who are qualified to help
in reaching a fair judgment; has thor
oughly considered everything submitted.
The conclusion of the State Board OF
Education, expressed In the shortest man.
ner, Is that the best interests of Vermont
Internationally demand that Its public
school teachers receive their training
through the agency of a single central
institution established and conducted by
the State.
The Board will not take this occasion
to discuss the question or to present the
arguments that have led irresistibly to
this decision. Rather will 1t here outline
it's conception of the system 1t believes
the State should adopt and follow-and
that merely in general without introduce
ing details more than necessary.
The State teacher training institution
when established should be one of high
grade, possessing modern plant and
facilities adequate TO all possible needs;
II not at the outset, then constructed
on a plan that will easily permit addi-
tons according to its growing require
ments. The institution should have at
its head a trained and experienced edu-
Gator of teachers who also possesses,
high executive ability, hrmness. tact. a
pleasing and impressing personality and
a real. not feigned, interest in elemen-
tary and rural schools The institution,
should be stated by a. competent care
fully selected corps of instructors who
share the sympathies Of their chief re-