Year: 1859

gest the eXpodioncy of establishing by
law some classification Of these institu-
tions and some educational standards to
which universities, colleges and semi
narios shall be required respectively to
conform, in the admission, instruction
and graduation of Students, as condi-
tions of incorporation.


Besides these Colleges and Scmina-
rios, there are many schools correspond
ing in general character with our Com
mon Schools, but sustained by dcnomi-
national or private resources, in which
a large number Of youth receive instruc.
ton.


I regret that I have no means of as
certaining the number of these various
educational institutions; the number Of
their teachers, students or pupils; or
their schemes of instruction; or their
results; and I respectfully suggest the
expodiency Of such legislation as will
secure the collection of this informa-
tion, so essential to o full understand
ing Of the condition Of our people in
this important respect


It will not escape your observation
that, while the actual progress and con-
dition of our Common Schools may
we'll crafty and encourage the friends
Of popular education, there yet remains
a work to he accomplished which impo-
ses grave responsibilities, and must
needs excite earnest solcitude. The
whole number of school youth of the
school age, as has already been stated,
is 843, $40, while the number enrolled
is Cos, ,343, making the number not en-
rolled 234,497 The disparity between
the whole number and the number, 3j5,-
8G3, in daily attendance, is more strik-
ing The difference is 485,977. Max
ing every allowance for the number
taught in private or UNCONVENTIONAL
schools, there must still remain a con-
siderable number who attend no school
at all, while Of those who do not abb
sent themselves altogether, very
large proportion attend so irregularly Or
for such brief periods that they derive
little benefit from it.


Next to this abscntecism, the most
serious hindrance to the prosperity Of
the Common Schools is the want of a
sufficient number of we'll qualified
teachers. Not a few, indeed, of our
teachers, possess eminent qualifications
for their responsible office. TO such
we owe not only many excellent district
schools, but also the High Schools
which adorn many Of our cities and
towns, and afford opportunities for edu-
cation which would have been sought in
vain a few years ago in most Of our
Academies and Colleges. A very large
number, however, are extremely defc-
lent both in knowledge and in that abil-
ity to teach which mere knowledge can
never give


The correction of these evils, so far
as practicable, is your duty, and will
be, I trust your pleasure and your hon
orablG distinction.


The best means, in my Judgment, of
securing an adequate number Of good
teachers, are the establishment Of Nor
NAL Schools and the encouragement of
Teachers Institutes. L vcntured last
year to suggest the organization Of a
Normal Department in one or both Of
our Universities. More immediate and
perhaps more valuable results would
probably be obtained from the estab-
lishmeut Of three or four Normal
Schools in different districts of the
State, giving preference within each
district to the city or town which would
provide the best buildings for the pur.
pose without cost to the State. Pro.
vision has already been made by law
for the encouragement of Teachers
Institutes, but it is uncertain and inad.
equate. recommend the direct appro.
priation Of an adequate sum, TO be paid
on compliance with proper conditions
upon the certificate Of the State Com
missioner.


The indispensable necessity of secur,
ing general, regular and continued at,
tendance in school is universally ac,
knowledged. Without this, the great
object Of the Common Schools, namely
a good education for every child in tho
State, fails of accomplishment. The
Federal census Of 1850 exhibited the
fact that over thirty-6ve thousand per.
sons in Ohio, twenty years old and up
wards, were unable to read or write
This number was about one In seventeen
of all the people of the same age. If
we reflect that besides these totally IL
literate persons, there is a large number
whose education hardly raises them to a
higher level, we shall attain some just
conception Of the importance Of ade-
quate provision for universal attendance,
We must not be satisfied while one per-
son capable Of instruction, remains un-
taught or ill-taught No means seem
better adapted to secure attendance, ava
ken interest and quicken effort in the
attainment Of knowledge than frequent
visits, addresses and conversations by
properly qualified officers Of the State.
The law recognizes the value Of this
agency in requiring the State Commits
sioner TO devote portion of his time to
such labors. But it is obvious that the
thorough discharge Of tho other duties
imposed on him is quite incompatible
with efficient labors Of this kind. j
suggest, therefore, that he be authorized
to employ one or more competent
agents to visit every township and urge
upon parents, teachers and children, the
duties essential to the highest efficiency
Of our schools This plan has been
adopted elsewhere with the happiest Of
iects. If adopted here, We need not