Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1920-10-14

cling expenses while in attendance but
the institution should endeavor to make
these as reasonable as possible and should
cooperate to assist any needy students
obliged to earn their own way wholly
or in part.
Such, in brief, is the Boards concep-
ton Of the Institution that it believes
should serve as the central agency in tho
training OF public school teachers for
Vermont. But while such an institution
Is necessary as the headquarters and
handspring of the system the Board does
not believe in combining the training of
teachers wholly within it, In connection
there should be extension courses cor
responding to the present teacher train
ing courses in high schools. These should
be established and maintained in locali-
ties that will fairly serve the State geo
graphically, wherever IL is possible to
enlist a sufficient number of students and
10 secure adequate accommoda tons and
practice teaching facilities, but the num-
Der of such courses would probably be
somewhat less than at present, and the
number of students required to secure
the establishment or continuance Of such
course should he somewhat higher.
The instructors in these courses would
be eX-oilicio members of the staff OF the
State Teachers College and so far as
practicable would have teaching expert
ence and instruction there under ~ sys-
TEN of Interchange. The present high
type of Instructors In high school train
ing courses should, in general. be re-
tanned.
FANORS EXTENSION COURSES
While these extension courses in most
,afn h., L.,
connection with high schools, the law
should be so modified as to permit their
esta blishment wherever proper accom-
modatons and practice facilities in the
elementary grades are obtanable, II edu-
cational interests and public convenience
would be better served thereby.
These extension courses ought to bear
a reasonable portion of the expense Incl
dent TO their maintenance within or in
connection with high schools or other
educational institutions. the same to be
paid by the State TO these institutions
The course of study offered at these
extensions should be as nearly as prac-
ticable identical with the first year of
the elementary course at the State Col
lege, so that students completing it could
enter the college subsequently and com
plete thu elementary course there with
out loss of time. An active effort, and
special inducement by State-paid salary
additions, should he made to encourage
students after taking the extension
course or first year Of the elementary
teaching course in the college to secure
places as teachers in the rural schools in
order to gain teaching experience under
practical conditions, and also in order
to serve any immediate or pressing
F1- ,nI,n Ia, Il, eAl,a
successful teaching experience, there
should be a similar encouragement for
them to finish their course at the
Teachers College, and a special financial
inducement for them to return to the
work of the rural schools. Under exist
ing law 1t is possible for the State Board
of Education so to classify teachers for
purposes of state pay as to achieve these
ends.
Admission requirements to these ex-
tension courses should be the same as
to the corresponding course in the
Teachers College; that is. graduation
after a full four-year high school course.
Tuition should be free, as in the ele.
mentary course at the college.
The Board us confident that through
the operation of such a system there
would be supplied under normal condi-
tons teachers for the elementary
schools including rural sufficient in num-
Der and Of satisfactory standard in
quality.
From the advanced courses in the col
lege would come the material for high
school principals, assistants. instructors
in special branches, superintendents and
supervisors, trained technically and with
at least practice teaching experience.
Having outlined the general features
Of the proposed system. questions at
once arise. How is 1t to be realized?
Where is it proposed to locate the CEN
trail institution? What will 1t cost to
establish and maintain such system
Where will the money come from?
The proposed system, or In fact any
system may be established by action of
the Legislature. There is also probably
sufficient legal warrant for the State
Board Of Education to proceed without
special enactment in the event that GER
tain conditions are met. An existing
statute directs the Board, whenever
funds are provided without cost to the
State sufficient to construct and equip
n plant. to locate and establish n central
normal school or school OF education.
The cost Of constructing and equipping
plant for such an institution, includ-
ing cost OF site II It had to be purchased
is estimated by the Board AT about $780,
900. This would provide buildings and
equipment adequate for the maximum
number of students likely to attend for
a considerable period.
The public has already been informed
OF the tender of a magnificent gift OF
100000 by the Carnegie Corporation
toward the cost of such a plant. This
tender is conditioned on the raising and
expenditures of s2O0,000 more for the same
purpose and with the understanding that
Vermont will continue to provide sub
stantially for he maintenance of teacher
trao,!ng, using the central institution az
it's principal agency
The cost Of maintenance Of the insti-
tuition itself and of the extension
courses in high schools would not. In
the opinion OF the Board. exceed. Or eX-
coed to any material extent, the cost OF
teacher training as hitherto carried Oh
in Vermont. which in the aggregate has
amounted to about 100000 annually.
BURLINGTON IDEAL LOCATION
When the State Board OF Education
began to consider seriously the plan OF
establishing a State Teachers College 1t
realized at once the delicate nature OF
suggesting or fixing a location for such
an institution. It's members unani.
mously agreed, however. that educational
and practical considerations should con.
troll in any selection that might be
made. In order to determine these and
to remove any suspicion of bias the
Board invited recognized authority In
the matter of teacher training. DR.. vii.
liam c. Bagley of New York. to make an
extended personal investigation and to
report not only scheme OF organiza-
ton for the college but his findings as