Sidebilder
PDF
ePub

METHUEN,

{(1)

(1) Population, 2,463. Valuation, $432,102 70. Number of Public Schools, 11.

(2) No. of Scholars of all ages in all the Schools-In Summer, 490-In Winter, 587. (3) Average attendance in the Schools-In Summer, 339-In Winter, 389. (4) No. of persons between 4 and 16 years of age in the town, 590.-No. of persons under 4 years of age who attend School, 28.-No. over 16 years of age who attend School, 40. (5) Aggregate length of the Schools, 59 mths. 14 days.-In Summer, 34 7-In Winter, 25 7. (6) No. of Teachers in Summer-M. -F. 11.-No. of Teachers in Winter-M. 7—F. 5. (7) Average wages paid per month, including board-To Males, $25 23—To Females, $12 38. (8) Average value of board per month-Of Males, $6 75—Of Females, $5 16.

(9) Average wages per month, exclusive of board-Of Males, $18 48-Of Females, $7 22. (10) Amount of money raised by taxes for the support of Schools, including only the wages of Teachers, board and fuel, $1,000.

(11) Amount of board and fuel, if any, contributed for Public Schools, $

[ocr errors]

(12) No. of incorporated Academies, .-Aggregate of months kept, Average number of Scholars, -Aggregate paid for tuition, $

[ocr errors]

(13) No. of unincorporated Academies, Private Schools, and Schools kept to prolong Common Schools, 3.-Aggregate of months kept, 16.-Average No. of Scholars, 165.-Aggregate paid for tuition, $550.

(14) Amount of Local Funds, $

-Income from same, $

BOOKS USED.-Spelling-National Spelling Book, American Expositor. Reading-Bible, Young Reader, Emerson's First and Second Class, and Rhetorical Reader. Grammar-Murray's and Smith's. Geography-Parley's, Olney's and Smith's. Arithmetic-Emerson's, and Colburn's Mental, Smith's, Adams', and Greenleaf's. All others-l'arley's Book of the U. S, and Common School History, Goodrich's History, Blake's Philosophy, Comstock's Chemistry, Bailey's Algebra.

SELECTIONS FROM REPORT.

* * * We have said, that important changes have been made, in the school laws. To these changes, many of our fellowcitizens have been, honestly, opposed Viewing the Common School system as an institution that has had an important influence on the welfare of the community-as one established by the wisdom of the founders of New England, and which has ever been cherished as the settled policy of the Commonwealth-they have considered these alterations as unnecessary, and every change as an innovation upon important and long established usages. They consider the requirements of the laws as an extravagant expenditure of the public money, and as a useless and onerous task upon the committee. It does become us as citizens, to admit, with caution, any material change, in the fundamental principles of our free institutions.

But the new enactments, in the school laws, are not designed to alter the plan of the system of education. They are only calculated to improve and perfect the operation of the system. If the plan is perfect, it may be abused in the application. The great plan of the Common School system is, that every individual in the community shall procure an education, to fit him for all the duties and responsibilities devolving on him as a free citizen. But is this accomplished?-does every one improve the opportunities presented to him, and lose none of the advantages of education? The most limited observation will show us the contrary. The illiterateness of many among us proves it. If then, the means of education fail, from any cause, to produce the great end which they were designed to produce, and which they are able to accomplish, ought not means to be devised to remedy the defects? For this end, the new enactments have been passed, by our wise legislators; and, if duly observed, we have no doubt, will remedy many important defects. It is not enough, that schools are instituted, at the public expense, for the benefit of all; teachers, that are competent to their duties, are necessary, to render them a public benefit. Books are necessary, and such books as are adapted to the capacities of the children; and such as are uniform, to render the organization of the school successful. Many a child has been compelled to while away the tedious hours of the school, day after day, to no profit, for

* *

the want of proper books. And the efforts of many a competent and industrious teacher, have been rendered almost useless, for the want of a uniformity in books, and the hearty coöperation of the parents of the children. These abuses and defects, the recent enactments are designed to remedy. It has been the allotment of the subscriber, to be one of the school committee, every year, with one exception, since the town has made choice of the committee. Hence, he has bad an opportunity to judge of the operation of the school laws; and, from our experience, we can say, that they have done great good, in remedying many of the "defects in the means of education." But, in judging of their influence, our experience is not limited by the retrospection of official duty It leads us back to the trials and responsibilities of a teacher; when we felt the need of some remedy, beyond our control, to obviate difficulties; and when we were made sensible of the need of legal authority resting somewhere, to correct abuses, and to perfect the plan of Common School education. And our experience leads us still further back, to the days of boyhood, when we were permitted to enjoy the privileges of the Common Schools, then conferred upon the community In contrasting the condition of the means of education, in these different periods, we are gratified to observe, that the march of improvement is onward-that a vast improvement, in the means of education, has already taken place.

In regard to the condition of the schools, in town, the past year, we can say, with much satisfaction, that they have, collectively, succeeded better, than they have in any former year, since it has been our duty to superintend them The teachers have exhibited a higher order of qualifications, and have manifested a better knowledge of their duties, than has been common with our teachers heretofore; they have, in every instance, the last year, for the first time, obtained their certificate before commencing their schools. The prudential committees have, in every instance, cheerfully coöperated with the town committee. This, too, is an honorable exception to any former year.

* *

* * *

* * * The principal "defects in the means of education," which still exist, we will endeavor to notice. And first, the inadequacy of teachers. They do not, generally, fail in their literary acquirements; but many of them do not possess an aptitude to teach. They often lack an interest in the pursuit, and almost all want experience in the business. Having resorted to the business, as a temporary expedient, to procure money, instead of adopting it as a calling, they cannot be expected to feel that interest in the school, which they would feel, were it the profession of their choice. *This is a general fault, that has always existed, and always will exist, until the public shall remedy the evil, by presenting proper inducements to men of learning, of talent, and of enterprise, to make teaching a profession, and devote themselves heartily to the work. But so long as parents manifest less solicitude to obtain an experienced and talented teacher for their children-who is to mould their plastic minds for future weal or wo, perhaps-than they do to procure a skilful workman to fit a garment, so long will our schools suffer for the want of competent teachers. Especially, so long as they are more willing to render a fair remuneration to the latter than to the former, for his services.

Another great evil, is the want of interest in the parents and guardians of the children. They are culpably negligent, in many particulars. There are many parents, who do not seem to be aware, that knowledge is to be acquired only by opportunity and application. Hence, the children are suffered to be absent half of the time, and tardy the other half; and, if they are so considerate as to send them to school occasionally, a certain amount of knowledge must be put into their heads by the teacher, with or without the help of books, as the case may happen. And if they afford them books, they seem to think they have discharged all the duties devolving on them; and if the teacher is faithful to discharge his duties, the scholars must learn; whether the books are uniform, so that twenty scholars can be classed together, and receive, collectively, the whole attention of the teacher, in any particular study, for a certain time; or, whether they are diverse, and, consequently, not being classed, each scholar must, separately, receive a twentieth part of the attention of the teacher.

Your committee have always had an established list of books, best adapted to the wants of the scholars, to be used in school. They have endeavored to

new ones.

introduce, by degrees, the required books, as the old ones were replaced by Yet there are only two schools in town, where they have effected a complete uniformity in the books. In some of the districts the diversity is as great as ever, and it would seem that no pains have been taken to observe the requirements of the committee. If a Geography were necessary, they seem to act, in the procurement of it, as though they thought that any author would do, if it be a geography. It is the deliberate opinion of the committee, that the only way to remedy this defect, is to have the committee adopt a more rigid course hereafter, and insist upon the requirements of the law, excluding every book that is not, the kind required.

The whole number of scholars that attended school in town, the summer term, last year, was about 500; the average attendance about 350,-making about 150 absent every day, or thirty per cent of the whole number. The town raised, the last year, $1,000 for the support of schools; of course, thirty per cent., or $300, was thrown away by that waste of time. And there are other consequences, growing out of such irregular attendance, quite as prejudicial to the interests of education, as the loss of the time to the scholar.

In suggesting plans for improvement, your committee would say, that to remedy the evils spoken of would be the first, and most desirable object. * * For this end, let parents make it a rule to visit the schools occasionally. Especiall, let them go in at the stated visitations of the comm.ttee. It would have an important influence on the scholars. It would attach, in their minds, an importance to the means of education; and they would, consequently, put forth greater effort in the prosecution of their studies.

* * *

Let the parents, also, cultivate an acquaintance with the instructers. It would encourage them to a faithful discharge of their duties. By such an acquaintance they would better understand each other's views and feelings in relation to the school, and especially respecting the management of their own children. It would prevent that prejudice in the minds of parents against the teacher, too often created by the misrepresentation of the children; and which, more than any thing else, in our opinion, serves to destroy the discipline and harmony, and, consequently, the improvement of the schools. For, no sooner does an unruly scholar know that his parents side with him against the teacher, (and he will very soon find it out,) than he finds himself licensed to resist and thwart the teacher, in every attempt to regulate and improve the school. We have seen the untiring efforts of a skilful teacher rendered nearly useless under these circumstances.

Another plan of improvement, which your committee would respectfully suggest to your consideration, is the procurement of school apparatus in each district. The law allows such an expenditure to be made by the districts. Some of the districts in town have not even that simple apparatus, the black-board; and, though simple, of great utility in school. It is a fact, worthy of notice, that the three districts in town that have no black-board, are the most backward in town; not that the want of one is the whole cause of the backwardness; but the lack of the small amount of interest, necessary to procure one, we think, is sufficient to dampen the ardor of any school. As the subject of the scholar's study is delineated in books, he often gets a vague and indistinct notion of it; when, by the help of visible illustrations, he might acquire a perfect understanding at a glance. We may read or hear the description of a distant city, or a mountain, or a landscape, but our impressions will be faint and transitory. But if we should go and behold them, our impressions would be deep and abiding. We have but one school in town supplied with any tolerable amount of apparatus, and the success of that school is far greater than of any other.

SCHOOL COMMITTEE.-STEPHEN HUSE.

* *

MIDDLETON,

[ocr errors]
[ocr errors]

(1) Population, 671. Valuation, $145,333 78.
Number of Public Schools, 4.

(2) No. of Scholars of all ages in all the Schools-In Summer, 150—In Winter, 169.
(3) Average attendance in the Schools-In Summer 119-In Winter, 117.

(4) No. of persons between 4 and 16 years of age in the town, 192-No. of persons under 4 years of age who attend School, 20.-No. over 16 years of age who attend School, 19. (5) Aggregate length of the Schools, 23 mths. 14 days—In Summer, 14 14—In Winter, 9. (6) No. of Teachers in Summer-M. -F. 4.-No. of Teachers in Winter-M. 3—F. (7) Average wages paid per month, including board-To Males, $25 33-To Females, $10 00. (8) Average value of board per month-Of Males, $8 00-Of Females, $4 75.

(9) Average wages per month, exclusive of board-Of Males, $17 33-Of Females, $5 25. (10) Amount of money raised by taxes for the support of Schools, including only the wages of

Teachers, board and fuel, $400.

(11) Amount of board and fuel, if any, contributed for Public Schools,

(12) No. of incorporated Academies, Aggregate of months kept, -Average number of Scholars, -Aggregate paid for tuition, $

[ocr errors]

(13) No. of unincorporated Academies, Private Schools, and Schools kept to prolong Common Schools, 1.-Aggregate of months kept, 34.—Average No. of Scholars, 30.-Aggregate paid for tuition, $91 60.

(14) Amount of Local Funds, $

-Income from same, $

BOOKS USED.-Spelling-Perry's, Worcester's Primer. Reading-Bible, Porter's Rhetorical Reader, Introduction to English Reader, Young Reader. Grammar-Smith's and Brown's. Geography-Parley's and Olney's. Arithmetic-Colburn's, Greenleaf's, Smith's and Adams'. All others-Goodrich's History, Robbins' Ancient and Modern History, Watt's on the Mind, Comstock's Chemistry, Blake's Philosophy, Burrett's Astronomy, Phelp's Botany.

SELECTIONS FROM REPORT. * * * We think many of our scholars, particularly those under fourteen years of age, have too many studies at one time. Orthography, which comprehends every thing in relation to the sounds of the letters, their division into vowels and consonants, and spelling, with reading, all should attend to; and, as they advance, writing, grammar, geography and arithmetic; and, when these branches are well understood, history, philosophy, algebra, Watts on the Mind, &c. deserve the attention of the scholar. But it is absolutely impossible for any scholar to study, to advantage, all these branches, at the same time. The studies should not be so numerous, but that every lesson can be well got, and, as far as possible, perfectly understood. As the parent finds books, and, in many cases, directs the studies of his child, it is important, to the cause of education, that he be well informed on this subject.

There is, we think, with parents and scholars, a disposition to advance too fast, thus passing over important branches of education, without that full and complete knowledge of them, without which they are of but little value in the business of life. Any branch of school education, half learned, imparts little or no benefit to the scholar. To be useful, for practical purposes, it should be perfectly understood. The scholar, quite too soon, gets to think the spellingbook suited only for classes below him, and, as he advances, he forms the same opinion of other studies, which he would do well to review with much care and attention.

We are happy to state, that the prudential committee have coöperated with us, to subserve the best interest of our schools.

*

Our system of Common School Education is, by the Legislature of this State, deemed a subject of vital importance to the best interests of its citizens. A Board of Education has been organized by law, who appoint a Secretary, paid by the State, whose duty it is to "diffuse, as widely as possible, throughout every part of the Commonwealth, information of the most approved and successful methods of arranging the studies, and conducting the education, of the young, to the end, that all the children in this Commonwealth, who depend upon Common Schools for instruction, may have the best education which these schools can be made to impart." We doubt not that every citizen of this town will cheerfully coöperate with the Board of Education, their Secretary, your committee, and the teachers of our youth, in their endeavors to realize for our children all the benefits of a good Common School Education. Without such coöperation on the part of the parent, these efforts will fail to produce so desirable a result. All, without distinction, are entitled to the ben

*

efits of our schools, and we hope all will be disposed to avail themselves of their privileges, and to improve their advantages.

SCHOOL COMMITTEE.-FORREST JEFFERDS, E. S. PHELPS.

NEWBURY,

{(1) Public Schools, 14.

(1) Population, 3,771. Valuation, $846,173 34.

(2) No. of Scholars of all ages in all the Schools-In Summer, 819-In Winter, 750. (3) Average attendance in the Schools-In Summer, 541-In Winter, 471.

(4) No. of persons between 4 and 16 years of age in the town, 997.-No. of persons under 4 years of age who attend School, -No. over 16 years of age who attend School,

.

(5) Aggregate length of the Schools, 112 mths. 14 days-In Summer, 75-In Winter, 37 14. (6) No. of Teachers in Summer-M. 3-F. 11.-No. of Teachers in Winter-M. 9-F. 1. (7) Average wages paid per month, including board-To Males, $25 66-To Females, $11 45. (8) Average value of board per month-Of Males, $8 55-Of Females, $5 73.

(9) Average wages per month, exclusive of board-Of Males, $17 11—Of Females, $5 72. (10) Amount of money raised by taxes for the support of Schools, including only the wages of Teachers, board and fuel, $2,000.

(11) Amount of board and fuel, if any, contributed for Public Schools, $

(12) No. of incorporated Academies, 1.-Aggregate of months kept, 12.-Average number of Scholars, 35.-Aggregate paid for tuition, $420.

(13) No. of unincorporated Academies, Private Schools, and Schools kept to prolong Common Schools, 2.-Aggregate of months kept, -Average No. of Scholars, .-Aggregate paid for tuition, $

(14) Amount of Local Funds, $24,900 00.-Income from same, $1,245 00.

BOOKS USED.-Spelling-Emerson's New National, Lee's do., Worcester's Elementary Dictionary. Reading-National Reader, Introduction to do., Young do, Child's Guide, Bible, and Testament. Grammar-Frost's. Geography-Olney's and Parley's. Arithmetic-Greenleaf's, National, and Colburn's First Lessons. All others-Blake's Natural Philosophy, Bailey's Algebra, Flint's Surveying, Hildreth's View of the U. S.

REMARKS-Some scholars attend the Public Schools who are under 4 years of age, and some who are over 16, but the number is not given. Two Private Schools have been kept, but no further facts are stated in reference to them.

SELECTIONS FROM REPORT. * * *To the foregoing detail respecting the several schools, the committee feel called upon to follow out the requirement of the statute before quoted, by "stating such facts and suggestions as may promote the interest of the whole. * * Though, within a few years, several of the districts have provided themselves with good schoolhouses, it has not escaped the observation of the committee, that, in other districts, something still needs to be done. Several of the schoolhouses, in their present state, are totally unfit for their purpose. Many of them are open and cold, requiring, in the cold weather, large fires, so that those children, who happen to be seated near them, are obliged almost to undergo a process of roasting, before the teeth of their more remote fellows cease to chatter. In one of the districts, a large and apparently old stove was continued in use, as it was supposed, on the score of economy; and, when visited by the committee, the room was filled with smoke, so that it was excessively uncomfortable to be in the room, and the teacher informed us, that then, the room was in better than ordinary condition. It would be almost a cruelty to require study, under such circumstances; and yet this was the place of study for more than half a hundred! We have learned, within a week, that the evil continues unabated.

It was with much sorrow that the committee found about seventy-five children, with their teacher, in a building formerly used as a carpenter's shop, this being the best place, to be obtained in the district, for the accommodation of the children during their first efforts to learn to read. Last year, the same

« ForrigeFortsett »