USA > Ohio > Annual report of the State Commissioner of Common Schools, to the Governor of the State of Ohio, for the year 1880 > Part 20
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33
In the past year, there has been a general decline in the wages of all avocations, but of all these. it seems that the teachers of the ungraded schools have suffered most ; for the teachers' work is certainly the most vital of all classes, and yet as a general thing, the teachers of the ungraded schools are paid the least. The citizens of the sub-districts, especially those who represent the local boards and Boards of Education. are responsible for this.
Township boards, in many instances, resolved to appropriate for each sub-district about enough money with which to employ three or four months' competent labor, with a small balance in the treasury to employ "cheap labor", the latter paralyzing, if not wholly undoing the work of the former. This plan virtually drives out of the schools all skilled labor during the summer months.
The work for which the teacher is paid is that which prepares the child to become a true citizen, and in a republican government, especially, there should be no depreciation of the duties to be performed for these children.
Legislation which would compel boards of education to levy a local
246
ANNUAL REPORT.
tax each year sufficient for the proper support of common schools, would correct this error.
There is one feature in our schools which is highly commendable, and certainly indicative of progress. That is, in some of the ungraded schools, the teachers are giving primary instructions in some of the sciences, without the formal introduction of a text-book; they are thus inspiring the children with a love of higher education and at the same time educating public opinion in its favor.
On this subject, I may be allowed to say that in some of the schools of our county, there is already a demand for primary instruction in Algebra, Natural Philosophy, Physiology, Botany, and United States History.
There are some children who get no further education than that afforded by the ungraded schools ; these schools, therefore, should have a wider scope.
Let primary instruction in these branches be made legal, and pro- vision be made for suitable apparatus. The State will then give an impetus in a direction from which it would very soon realize a larger return in citizenship, than under the present law, which provides instruction in the common branches only. By this new departure, those teachers who have fallen in the fossilized way of doing things, and who are barely able to draw a year's certificate, but have not the skill to organize or to manage a school when organized, would be compelled to qualify them- selves, or give way to those who are competent for this responsible profession.
D. J. SNYDER, President Board of Examiners.
GALLIA COUNTY.
In reply to your circular of - date, I can but reiterate my state- ments, in perhaps a slightly modified form, of the previous years of my administration. 'Tis true we have made, during the past twelve months, some progress, but no one will pretend to deny the fact that there is room for much more. What we need is more real intelligence, both among school teachers and among school officers in general. Why, only to-day, one of our best country teachers informed me that, "one of his directors could not read writing, and that another could not sign his own name;" that, "the best salary he could get in the district in which he lived, was $25.00 per month." Now, with this state of affairs, how can
247
STATE COMMISSIONER OF COMMON SCHOOLS.
we hope to make our cherished school system, which ought to be the pride of the nation, a success ? With men in authority who can neither read nor write, who know, perhaps something about pork raising, but nothing about education, what an absurd idea to look for progress in any other direction than "into the ground."
Again, our system of county examinations, as prescribed by law, accomplishes anything but the desired end. Many persons aspire to " keep school," who are theoretically and practically notoriously incom- petent, or are entirely too young to teach, and yet, if they possess the requisite knowledge of the sacred seven branches, and can secure a tes- timonial, which, generally speaking, is anything but reliable, of morality, we, as examiners, are compelled to issue a license, and then Chinese cheap labor, ad infinitum, is thrown on the market, and because of its seeming cheapness, speedily gobbled up by our would-be economical, local directors. For these reasons, together with the fact that narrow- minded Probate Judges are too apt to allow themselves to be governed by personal prejudices, or by a desire to curry political favor, to quali y them as suitable persons to make, for the best interests o. the schools, impartial selections of county examiners. I would suggest the propriety of doing away entirely with these local boards, and the placing of this matter, and also school supervision in general, in the hands of the much- talked-of county superintendent. I believe this to be the sentiment of all well informed friends of education in our county, and that if our law makers would so legislate, that county superintendency would become a fixed fact, that some one, good live man should have control of the schools of the county, with authority, perhaps, to appoint one assistant in each township; to employ, through these deputies, or otherwise, the teachers of the county; to examine, in the true sense of the word, said teachers, and only license those who were unquestionably competent ; to visit each in his school, and see that his work is systematically and efficiently done; to have control of the Institute Fund, and to see that said fund is so appropriated that it will accomplish some real good, and not, as is too frequently the case, be squandered by unmethodical and avaricious In- stitute executive committees or swallowed up by a few educational sharks, we would, in the course of time, become what, educationally, we ought, and what would be eminently satisfactory to
Yours very respectfully,
W. H. MITCHELL, Clerk of Examiners.
248
ANNUAL REPORT,
GEAUGA COUNTY.
The County Teacher's Association has held, regularly during the year, monthly sessions, with good results.
A Teachers' Institute, continuing two weeks, was held at Burton in August, with such results as to fully justify me in saying, that it was the best session ever held in the county.
Class exercises every day under the direction of competent instruc- tors, was such a "change" from the usual programme, as will not soon be omitted, for the results were very beneficial.
School-buildings are kept in good repair, and furniture well cared for, while many of the rooms have been re-seated with modern style seats.
No reason is assigned why so many sub-districts have held less than twenty-four weeks of school during the school year, except, that town- ships are adopting the better plan of having six months continued school in each sub-district-fall and winter terms.
The graded school at Burton, under the direction of E. Truman, and the graded school at Chardon, under the direction of Prof. Carroll, are fully sustaining their previous good reputation for efficiency.
A new and very valuable auxiliary to the school at Chardon, is the . adding of a normal department, under the supervision of Prof. Carroll.
A class of thirty in this department has been formed this term, and in addition to the regular branches in this department, Prof. Carroll regularly, three times a week, delivers a lecture to the class on the theory of teaching.
From all the sources of information received at this office, we are able to report the schools of the county in a flourishing condition, with a very general feeling among the patrons and school officers to still far- ther increase the efficiency of the common schools by their frequent personal attendance, thereby encouraging both teacher and pupil-a work heretofore sadly neglected.
WM. HOWARD, Auditor.
We think we can safely say, that the common schools of this county are improving. School-houses are nearly all new, and in good repair. Nearly all have an addition for storage of fuel. More land is purchased ยท for play-ground, and some are beautifully ornamented with shade and ornamental trees. Better furniture, seats, black board, ventilation, etc. Some teachers have flowers within the houses and in the yards.
The standard of qualification is gradually raised each year. The teachers who do not make improvement are refused certificates, and only enough to supply the schools are retained.
249
STATE COMMISSIONER OF COMMON SCHOOLS.
Our county institutes are well attended, and the Teachers' Associa- tion meetings are doing good work.
The Burton High School, under the control of E. Truman, and the Union School and Normal class at Chardon, under the management of C. W. Carroll, are well attended, and by their instrumentality a large number of students are being qualified to take more elevated positions as teachers.
As a consequence of raising the standard of examinations, many older teachers of experience are again called into the work, making teaching more a life profession.
The districts are gradually getting into the practice of hiring the best teachers for a fall term, and keeping them through the winter term.
The country districts are using better amd more uniform text-books.
The people of this county are not unanimously in favor of county superintendency. Many favor township supervision. A large majority are undoubtedly opposed to the consolidation of the schools of the town- ships. The greatest obstacle to the progress of our schools is the' selfish- ness and heedlessness of the local directors. They rarely ever ask for the grade of certificate held by the teacher, or the experience they may have had in teaching. They too often employ some connection or friend, or the cheapest rather than the best.
We find by our experience as examiners, the teachers are very igno- rant of the Constitution, laws and history of the United States.
We would therefore humbly suggest that Civil Government and History of the United States be made by law, additional branches to those now required to be taught in our common schools.
JOHN N. WHITNEY, Member Board of School Examiners.
HANCOCK COUNTY.
From our limited means of acquainting ourselves with the educa- tional progress of this county in the last school year, I can do little more than give an opinion on the subject.
We deal with teachers rather than schools. We license them to teach, but how well they do that work, it is impossible for us to tell. I hazard the opinion that there has not been any very great improvement over the last year.
We have some first-class teachers in this county-teachers who are earnestly engaged in their work. But many are young, inexperienced,
250
ANNIJAJ, REPORT.
and are unwilling to spare the time, or incur the expense of qualifying themselves for the calling. These are deficient in the knowledge of the subject they attempt to teach, and make little effort to inform themselves of the best methods of teaching. They have no correct forms of expression for definitions, principles, or rules.
I have no faith in the proposed county surpervision as a cure for the ills to which our schools are subject. One great want of our schools is a higher grade of qualifications in our teachers. Teachers should receive sufficient remuneration to make it an inducement to qualify themselves for the work. If anything is to be added to the costs of our schools, let the addition be made to the wages of our common school teachers.
Our schools also need a more active and enlightened public senti- ment, and more school officers who know their legitimate duties, and are willing to perform them.
Respectfully submitted.
DORILUS MARTZ, Chairman Board of Examiners.
HENRY COUNTY.
From the best information we have been able to gather concerning the condition of the various schools in this county, and we have person- ally visited some of them during the past year, we are of the opinion that they are in a healthy and prosperous condition, at least as much so as could be expected, taking everything into consideration.
The standard of education has been steadily and permanently ad- vancing for several years past in this county, and I am satisfied that our teachers, as a class, in point of intelligence, skill and general ability, compare well with other counties in the northern part of our State.
Our Napoleon Union School, has the reputation of being one of the best of the kind in the State; and judging from the character and qualifi- cations of the pupils who came before the Board of School Examiners for certificates, their instructions have been more thorough, and well up to our highest expectations.
By far the neatest and nearest correct manuscripts we receive, come from our Union school, better even than those we receive from students who have gone abroad and attended some higher institution of learning in the interior of this State, the State of Indiana, and the State of Michigan.
Our county is improving very materially in the way of building new
251
STATE COMMISSIONER OF COMMON SCHOOLS.
and substantial brick school-houses, and in re-seating many of the old rooms with improved styles of seats and furniture, which is a great im- provement on the old plan.
One of the great drawbacks to the common schools in Henry county, is the want of interest by our local directors.
They who ought to be greatly interested in the education of the youth of our county, and more especially their districts, seem to have little care concerning it after the teacher has been employed and com- menced his school.
And in the hiring of these teachers, too often are governed in their selections by the price alone, inexperienced persons with fourth grade certificates being sometimes preferred to successful teachers holding first grade certificates, because the former will teach for less money,
Such directors rarely, if ever, visit their schools during the whole year.
Our teachers' institute is very well attended, and increasing in interest.
In conclusion, I think the schools in Henry county are in a healthy and prosperous condition.
A. H. TYLER, Clerk Board of Examiners.
HIGHLAND COUNTY.
Our schools are gradually improving. Local boards are beginning to see the necessity of giving more attention to the employment o_ com- petent teachers, and consequently our teachers are endeavoring to attain a higher standard of usefulness.
The Teachers' Institute this year was well attended.
Reports continue to be defective, and were slow in being returned.
E. M. DEBRUIN, Auditor.
No particular progress can be noted in the schools of Highland county during the past year. There is great competition among teach- ers for the schools, and, as a consequence, wages are kept at a low figure. The disposition among many local directors to hire the cheapest rather than the best teachers, prevents the desired improvement in the schools. These cheap teachers are generally poorly qualified, and only obtain a low grade certificate, after repeated trials. If the required standard was raised throughout the State, and strictly adhered to, an improvement in
252
ANNUAL REPORT.
the schools would doubtless result. If school directors could be induced to employ only good teachers, at fair wages, and not to employ poor ones at any price, a step in the right direction would be made.
Our annual Institute was well attended, and an increased interest manifested in its proceedings. A movement was inaugurated for hold- ing township Institutes during the school year. Several of these are now in successful operation, and doing a great deal of good. .
The schools in the towns and villages of the county are believed to be in excellent condition, and doing good work.
HENRY S. DOGGETT, Clerk of Examiners.
HOCKING COUNTY.
From what information I can get, I believe our schools in this county are in a prosperous condition, and I thins our teachers compare with those of other counties.
Our school-houses are generally good, and are well furnished.
W. N. ENGLAND, Auditor.
In reply to your circular, I would state, there has been a perceptible advance in the common schools of Hocking county. Manifest (a) in a less number of certificates of a low grade issued by the examiners; (b) in the fact that local directors are becoming better informed as to their duties; (c) teachers, through our county Institutes, are learning to be more systematic in their work, and hence more thorough.
Our prominent difficulties seem to be, (a) a lack of proper grading in our schools. Young pupils are put into advanced Readers and Arith- metics, for which they are unprepared. And (b) this want of grading leads many to go over the same branches of study, winter after winter, without any real advance in their education.
Remedy: Let us have a township or county superintendent, who shall take these and many other defects of our schools in hand. Good as our system is, there are defects in it, and I look for no important advance until we have such a superintendent.
C. C. HART,
President of Board of Ezaminers.
253
STATE COMMISSIONER OF COMMON SCHOOLS.
HURON COUNTY.
The public schools of our county are doing a good work. Much in- terest is being awakened in the matter of "local supervision", and a growing disposition in that direction is quite manifest, and I cannot but commend the plan adopted in one of the townships of our county, New London, which has made a start in the matter of educational reform.
In 1879, they adopted a plan embracing township superintendency, and a Central High School.
The whole township is under the control of a single Board of Directors, elected by the people, who hold monthly sessions to look after the interests of the several schools, and receive monthly reports. The Village High School is made a Central High School, open to the whole township, the superintendent having control of all the schools, and is required to visit each one at stated intervals. The schools of the whole district (both village and township), are kept in session uniformly for nine months in the year, without any change of teachers. A regular course of study has been adopted by the board, and the same text-books are used in all the schools.
The plan is considered the most favorable of any now in use by our best educators; its working during the past year has developed an interest in the schools of that township, not seen or felt by any other township of our county.
You will notice the reports from that township, that the average enrollment, as compared with the enumeration, showing a larger per cent. of enrolled pupils than any other township ; and again, the average daily attendance, as compared with former years, shows a decided improve- ment.
While in the matter of school statistics, and reports to this office, are much more satisfactory and reliable.
I sincerely hope every township in the county will follow the example of New London, and adopt the graded plan and local super- vision. It pays.
HENRY W. OWENS, Auditor.
1
JACKSON COUNTY.
In giving a statement of the educational progress of our county during the past school year, I can only say, that I believe that there has been a little progress in the right direction. Our very close and careful
254
ANNUAL REPORT.
examinations have decreased the number of incompetent teachers, and left the better teachers to do the work, and the result is an improvement in the schools.
As to means and agencies for the improvement of our common schools, I suggest :
1. County superintendency.
2. Each township to be one school district.
3. A provision in the law, to prohibit a teacher from teaching, or attempting to teach, any branch not named in his certificate, and attach- ing a penalty that shall cause the provision to be respected.
4. For the purpose of increasing the institute fund, require each teacher to pay fifty cents for the first six months of his certificate, and twenty-five cents for each additional six months therein contained.
5. A great deal more wisdom in employing teachers. The cheapest teacher is not the best teacher.
6. Fewer changes of teachers and text-books, and longer terms of school.
J. W. LONGBON, Clerk of Board of Examiners.
JEFFERSON COUNTY.
The reports from Boards of Education came to hand late, and a num- ber of them had to be returned for correction. This arises from the fre- quent change of clerks.
I think the schools of the county are, generally, in a prosperous condition.
JOHN MOORE, Auditor.
KNOX COUNTY.
In submitting this annual report, I am happy in being able to say that the schools in this county are in a very healthy condition.
Teachers are feeling the necessity of improvement, and none are willing to remain long in the old rut. If the local boards could be induced to take more interest and pride in school-houses, school prop- erty, and school teachers, it would be a long stride in the right direction.
In many instances the fences and out-buildings look dilapidated, and need painting ; some houses standing out in the burning sun with-
255
STATE COMMISSIONER OF COMMON SCHOOL.S.
out an attempt made at protection from shade-trees, and sometimes fur- niture and apparatus need remodeling and beautifying.
If school boards show to the children this lack of interest, what effect must it have on the "boys and girls."
There is another matter been talked threadbare, with but little effect -"visiting schools." There are few of us that would employ a person to take care of our stock for the winter season, and when spring comes pay him and let him go, without even once looking to see how well he had discharged his duties; but enough of this ; our schools are improving.
Our city schools were never more prosperous and happy.
The school-houses erected in the townships the past year are an improvement on the old.
A. CASSIL, Auditor.
LAKE COUNTY.
The condition of the schools in this county, so far as I have had an opportunity to know, is good.
BENJ. D. CHESNEY, Auditor.
LAWRENCE COUNTY.
I have nothing new to say of our schools. I believe that they are holding their own, but any improvement is slow in manifesting itself. In view of the fact, that no measure that could materially benefit our ungraded schools, has been legislated upon for twenty-five years, I am convinced that, under the common school system, as it is now consti- tuted, we shall never have better country schools than at present.
In Physics the effect is always proportionate to the agencies operat- ing to produce it, and any change in the effect is produced by a corre- sponding variation in the cause. What was the best thing that wisdom dictated for our schools in their incipiency can not certainly be regarded as the best for them at present, after a quarter of a century of unparal- leled progress in all the industrial callings of the State.
It is not the best thing for them now. The system now in force is not adequate to the wants of the schools. There needs to be something done that will bring teaching up to the dignity of a profession; some- thing that will add character and tone to the calling, that its votaries may not be contemned as worthless followers of a calling that will not gain them a decent living.
1
256
ANNUAL REPORT
It would seem almost incredible to one who has only read of the wonderful progressiveness of the people of Ohio, if he were told that, amid the almost astonishing march of unfettered genius in this land of freedom, the common schools, the very bulwark of our boasted greatness, have been suffered to fall behind in the march of progress. But, that such is the fact, none, I presume, will deny.
I do not wish to be understood as saying that the schools of to-day are inferior to the ungraded schools of any former period in the county. I believe they are as good as they ever have been, and as efficient as they ever will be under the present system; but not what they ought to be. The instrumentalities now employed can never add greater power to the schools than they now possess. If we are to have greater results, we must increase the fuel.
It is very apparent that the ungraded schools have not kept abreast with the increase of wealth and population and the various industrial callings of the State. In many of those schools the alphabet is learned as our grandfathers learned it, from the teacher's knee, and the pupils are pushed along in reading, after a manner, until, in some instances, they take the higher readers before they are taught writing and arith- metic. Language and composition are, with few exceptions, almost en- tirely ignored. Grammar, it is true, is taught after a fashion; but the poor pupils are made to trudge along, term after term, under that awful quadruplicate, Orthography, Etymology, Syntax, and Prosody, without ever stopping to make an application of the principles of grammar to their own composition work. The condition of the schools in one of the counties adjacent to the city of Boston, as given by Superintendent Walton in his report, and of which mention was made in a recent num- ber of Scribner, is very applicable to the schools of our county in this respect. If the pupils in our schools were required, as were the pupils in the schools referred to, to write a short letter, that their ability to apply the rules and principles of grammar might be tested, I fear that the result would be fully as humiliating as that reported of the Massa- chusetts schools.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.