USA > Ohio > Annual report of the State Commissioner of Common Schools, to the Governor of the State of Ohio, for the year 1880 > Part 21
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Our ungraded schools are sadly in need of some change that will in- sure to them better instruction, and increase their utility. How this can be done is, of course, very apparent, but when it will be done, and to what extent, will depend upon the light in which the school question is viewed by our legislators. "If the light that is within them be dark- ness, how great is that darkness." If the State believes that it is to her interest, and essential to good government, to have the masses educated, she ought also to realize that the successful prosecution of this great
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work cannot be left in the hands of the class of persons now composing the majority of the common school teachers; persons without the requi- site training for its onerous duties, and destitute of the means to qualify themselves for them, if they so desired. We must have better teachers. Instead of better qualified teachers coming into the profession, the best ones are leaving it in disgust, whenever an opportunity is offered them that will insure them an honorable livelihood.
Very few country school teachers find a respectable living in the profession. There are not more than a dozen schools in the county, out- side of the city of Ironton, that the salaries paid will suffice for the physical wants of the teachers, they being compelled to follow other callings when not engaged in teaching, instead of spending their vaca- tions in study and recuperation, that they may become more efficient, and more successful teachers.
As our schools are now constituted, no person of education and cul- ture is going to enter them as teacher, unless it be an occasional one, who takes teaching as a stepping-stone to something else.
Fully three-fourths of the persons now employed in the schools of this county are infinitely better qualified to grace some of the less im - portant but not less honorable vocations, with which our county abounds, than they are to wield the scepter in the school-room; yet they are .em- ployed in the schools, because they are cheap, and persons of education and culture are driven away to seek some other employment where they can obtain a respectable competency for themselves and families.
An opinion prevails among some of our leading teachers that, if teachers were required to be examined in a few additional branches, say Natural Philosophy, Algebra, U. S. History, Civil Government, and Physiology, it would tend to increase the efficiency of our schools. The pupils, of course, will not be expected, in all schools, to study all these branches, but let them be added as a kind of reserve force for the teacher.
If the above-named branches were added to those in which teachers are now required by law to pass examination, and the minimum school term for each school year be made forty weeks, with such an increase of the school, as will insure every economical teacher a respectable liveli- hood in the profession, I am sure that ere long the increased efficiency of the ungraded schools will more than repay the additional outlay.
No person can follow a number of different occupations without neg- lecting some of them. Teachers are no exception to this rule; and when they attempt it, their profession is generally the most neglected. Those who take upon themselves the office of teacher should devote their whole
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time to the interests of their profession, if they expect to make success- ful teachers; they should attend, as often as they can, those teachers' associations where they will be brought in contact with our best educa- tors, who have spent almost a lifetime in the profession, and who are acquainted with the best and most approved methods of teaching; they should also, if possible, visit, occasionally, some of the best schools in the larger towns and cities, that are well organized and disciplined, and pro- vided with all the modern appliances for the aid and convenience of the teacher, where they may see the practical application of the best methods in the hands of skillful and live teachers. Nothing is so well calculated to show a person just where he is, in his calling or profession, as to be brought face to face in the actual business of the calling, with those per- sons who have searched deeper, and drawn richer treasures from it than he has been able to do himself.
Another means of benefiting our ungraded schools, and insuring greater protection to teachers, would be the abolition of the office of local director, and the institution of Township Boards of Education, whose duty it would be to look after the interests of the schools in their town- ship. They should have regular stated meetings, where, if necessary, the teachers of the township could confer with them on questions pertaining to their schools. It is not necessary for me to occupy more space in naming and defining the various duties of these boards, as that has been well done already by abler advocates.
In conclusion, we desire to urge upon our law-making power the importance of some change in the school system, that will be for the amelioration of the ungraded schools. So long as the present order of things continues, we shall have cheap teachers, inefficient teachers, un- cultured teachers, low wages, and poor schools.
CHARLES HAMMOND, Clerk of Examiners.
LOGAN COUNTY.
The condition of the schools in this county is quite as good as could be expected, with indications of great improvements in the near future.
New and elegant school buildings are gradually taking the places of the old, uncomfortable houses of former years, while every. year brings with it marked improvement in school furniture and methods of teaching.
That there are still many defects in our system of obtaining reliable reports from Boards of Education and township officers, is manifest from
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the inaccurate, unreliable and unsatisfactory returns made each year by these officers to the several county Auditors of the State.
It is probable that much of this arises from the too frequent changes made in township officers, but few remaining in office long enough to become familiar with the work required.
JOHN H. STEWART, Auditor.
MADISON COUNTY.
The past year has not been without its good results in the schools of this county. Greater earnestness has characterized the work of our teachers. The better class of teachers is growing in favor with our people. In places where the people have been wont to think that an ordinary teacher could do as well in their school as an excellent one, there is a rising sentiment in favor of good teachers, at better wages. There are communities in this county where this cheap teacher senti- ment has prevailed for years past, from which parties are now coming who desire to teach. They now see the effect of the work of the poor teacher. They have an experience in that line, which is at the same time expensive and effectual. From it they have learned, and better teachers are being employed.
Wages are better than in many counties, and our teachers appreciate this important matter. It is not unusual to hear a teacher, in speaking upon this matter, say that he can feel much more enthusiastic in his work, than when a low estimate is put upon his services. The principle, that well-paid servants, whose qualifications are commensurate with their wages, are much more profitable, than poorly paid servants with qualifications according to their pay, is as fully exemplified in the profes- sion of teaching as anywhere else in life.
Some of our best teachers are employed in the district schools for nine months at $50 per month.
Quite a number of new school-houses have been built within the last year.
The school-houses of the county, generally, are in good condition.
Our Institute, during last summer, was conducted during two weeks, and was well attended.
J. W. MACKINNON, Clerk of Board of Examiners.
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MEDINA COUNTY.
There have been no radical changes in the schools of this county during the past year, yet there appears to be a steady improvement. The teachers are manifesting an increased interest in their work, by a very general attendance at county institutes, and by the organization of local institutes, and of clubs for the interchange of educational period- icals. As a result of this, the teachers work more in unison, and the better methods of school work are finding their way into the country schools. But there is yet need of decided changes. In a large number of districts the summer term is still kept up, and the teachers are employed by the term instead of the year; hence, the lack of system and classification. In many districts, that worst of all practices, underbidding, is still in vogue.
The enterprising book publishers are giving us uniformity of text- books, thus driving out an old evil, and opening the way to classifica- tion when the local directors do their duty.
W. R. COMINGS, President Board of Examiners.
MEIGS COUNTY.
Not how I and others can report to you, is the serious question ; but this : how shall the people be got to hear. There is nothing new to be said, but the old is not yet heard by the Legislature, and by the people who make the legislators.
Superintendents of our country schools, and the benefits it would bring, are our needs.
Local directors (some of them) will wait two and three examinations upon the failure of applicants.
For the teachers, I will say, "we certainly have a fair share of enthusiastic and successful ones. "
H. B. SCOTT, Clerk.
MIAMI COUNTY.
I believe that the schools in this county are in a quite prosperous and successful condition ; and I doubt not that the whole system, includ- ing .teachers, pupils, management, school-sites and school-buildings, with
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all the modern and convenient appliances of furniture and fixtures in this county, will compare well with other counties of the State.
Our people all seem to take a pride in our school operations, and while they recognize the local school tax as adding largely to the burden of their taxes, there is hardly ever heard a complaint-even from those who cannot or do not share in the benefits of the schools-that the system is too costly or oppressive, or that the quite large amounts of money collected annually for the support of our schools is illy applied.
My experience does not particularly qualify me to enter into any of the details of our school management, or to suggest any improvements in any line. I can only speak of the matter in a general way, and remark, as one would of a landscape, taking into view all the general features at one glance, that "it seemeth good."
I should like well, though, to reach the ear of school clerks and treasurers, and to impress upon their minds the importance of prompt reports to the auditor, of such matters as they are required by statute to report, within a given time. They would, I am sure, all be as prompt as possible, could they know or appreciate how much it lightens the labor of the County Auditor, and relieves him from care, to have their reports accurately made and promptly filed; while on the other hand, how miserable and discouraged he feels to have several of them procrastinating and "hanging back", keeping the auditor or deputy in hot water, dunning up said delinquents by postal card, while the State School Commissioner is clamoring at the other end of the line.
In this report I am obliged to omit on e school-district-by reason of not obtaining the clerk's report in time-though we have repeatedly requested his attention to the matter.
CHAS. C. BARNETT, Auditor.
MONROE COUNTY.
I have made diligent inquiry concerning the schools of this county, during the past year, and it affords me much pleasure to report, from the information received, that the schools, generally, are in a prosperous condition.
The progress in our schools, in any one year, as compared with the one preceding, does not appear to be very great, but, when we compare the schools now with those of but a few years ago, it is quite certain that there has been a notable advancement.
It has been the constant aim of the Board of School Examiners to
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raise the standard of teachers, and in this particular they have not been unsuccessful.
The better class of teachers in this county seldom fail to be employed in our best schools, at the highest wages, and it is, generally, only the inferior class who fail in getting schools.
S. A. ATKINSON, Auditor.
The common schools of this county are probably in as good condition as those of the adjoining counties. There is, however, room for much improvement. Our schools need the abolition of the practice, which is quite too general, of school officers employing their relatives, very fre- quently prejudicing, thereby, the best interests of the schools, which, otherwise, would have the advantages of a more efficient and successful teacher. Another practice, that of sub-district boards employing teachers at low wages, so that their schools may be prolonged, thinking more of the session than the condition of the school, is another source of depre- ciation. We have many teachers that are very worthy, an honor to the calling, who always evince a laudable determination to excel in the occupation in which they are engaged. To prevent the degrading com- petition as to the price per month to be paid teachers, and to secure to the truly qualified teachers the just recompense of their efforts, it undoubtedly would be well to have the County Commissioners to grade the prices to conform to the grade of the certificate.
For the better classification and more thorough work in our schools, a township superintendent, who is energetic, responsible, and well qual- ified in teaching, seems necessary. Ought not boards to be instructed to appoint ?
Many of our schools, in the eastern part of the county, particularly, have only one session of school a year, a winter session of six months, commencing about the first of October. It generally meets with success.
The examiners have been diligent in their endeavors to raise the standard of qualification of teachers, and have been watchful as to the interests of the schools, so far as those interests have come within their supervision. And they rejoice to believe their efforts have not been altogether futile.
S. SCHOOLCRAFT, Clerk of the Board of Examiners.
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MONTGOMERY COUNTY.
The schools of this county, so far as my information extends, are in a prosperous condition, and they are conducted by those who have them in charge, to the satisfaction of the public.
FREDERICK SCHUTTE, Auditor.
MORROW COUNTY.
The schools in this county, as far as my knowledge goes, are in fair condition.
Our graded schools compare favorably with any in the State; improvements in school-houses are going on slowly, with reasonable good hopes in the future.
I annex the remarks of one of our best township clerks, and coin- cide with his ideas about the change in the form of blanks furnished the district enumerators. Of course they would be a little more incon- venient to the enumerator, but very much more beneficial to the public.
S. ROSENTHAL, Auditor.
MUSKINGUM COUNTY.
The schools of our county are steadily improving, year by year, and although there is much deserving of criticism, and many things that deserve condemnation in them, yet we believe they will compare favor- ably with those of other parts of the State.
The standard of qualifications for teachers has been gradually raised, and we have endeavored to procurse first-class instructors in our county institutes, for several years past, to instruct our teachers in the great "art of arts," and the effect is plainly discernible in the schools throughout the length and breath of our county.
We think a vast amount of good might be accomplished, if some means were adopted whereby county examiners might ascertain more thoroughly each teacher's ability and success, in the management of a school-some form of county supervision, for example. Also, more uniformity in the text-books used would be beneficial.
The hiring of cheap teachers, and the constant changing of teachers, are other evils that should be done away with. The cheap teacher's work generally corresponds with his pay, and as a teacher becomes
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acquainted with his pupils and patrons, and they with him, he acquires the ability for successful labor with, and for them.
J. N. CARR, T. M. GAUMER, WM. KREAGER, County Examiners.
OTTAWA COUNTY.
Educational matters have been progressing as favorably as could be expected with the present methods. The standard of qualifications of our teachers, taken as a body, will, it is believed, compare favorably with that of any county in the State. A county superintendent would secure many benefits to the schools, which the Board of Examiners are powerless to confer.
T. L. MAGERS, Clerk.
PERRY COUNTY.
The schools of the county, as far as I can learn, are in a fairly prosperous condition. Four new school-houses are reported as completed during the last year ; two of them, one at Thornville, the other at Junc- tion City, are union buildings, and designed for graded schools. They are brick structures, and very creditable edifices. The last of the old log school-houses disappeared many years since. Most of the present build- ings are also supplied with the modern styles of school furniture. The price paid teachers ranges from $1.50 to $4 00per day; the lower, in most cases. is paid to lady teachers, some of whom are among the best qualified teachers in the county. There is complaint made by the people, and particularly in the larger towns, which have graded schools, that too many and costly text-books, and too much stationery is required, and to such a degree as to exclude, after passing the primary and intermediate departments, many pupils which the common schools were designed to benefit. The teachers claim that the text-books and stationery are all necessary. I do not undertake to dictate between these conflicting views, but simply report the facts. The County Institutes, for several years, have been well conducted and fully attended by teachers and the more advanced pupils, though some criticisms of an unfriendly charac- ter have been made upon the one held in August last. The county
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examiners have been steadily endeavoring to raise the standard of qualification for teachers, but the constant accession of new and young applicants, and the passing of trained teachers out of the profession into other pursuits, makes the effort to raise the standard one of con- siderable difficulty. Teachers' examinations, as a general thing, are very largely attended, in many cases, by young students who think the day's training cheap enough, as well as by those who desire certificates for the present purpose of teaching. Spectators are also quite numerous. As stated in my last report, Perry county has a surplus of young teachers, many of whom find employment in adjoining or distant counties. The ยท common school system has ever had a fair and successful development in this county. The land has been divided among many proprietors, very few persons owning to exceed two hundred acres each, while the average holding among farmers is probably less than one hundred acres. There have been no persons who imagine themselves above the common school system, and none so poor as to feel themselves beneath it. Many families, living not far apart, make convenient districts, with school-house easily accessible in all kinds of weather. Hence, the school system has had its best possible development. The state of things is changed somewhat in the mining regions-companies buying up large tracts of coal lands. But towns have been built up with large graded schools, accommodating not only the inhabitants of the towns, but the adjacent country. For instance, New Straitsville has over nine hundred of school-age popula- tion, and Shawnee very nearly as many. Corning and Rendville, large mining towns in the Sunday Creek Valley, built up within the last eight or nine months, have not yet moved in the matter of schools, but large buildings and graded schools are necessarily among the things of the near future.
ORRIN THACKER, Auditor.
PIKE COUNTY.
I have neglected writing anything with regard to the schools of the county, simply for the reason that, from personal visits, I knew but little about their condition ; but from information obtained through other channels, I believe that I can safely say that the schools of this county compare favorably with those of surrounding counties. The school- houses throughout the county are in good condition ; nearly all the town- ships re-seated their school-houses within the past year, and a greater interest in the cause of education seems to have been manifested, both
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by patrons and teachers, than heretofore. The County Teachers' Asso- ciation has been holding regular quarterly meetings at different points in the county, and, if continued, will greatly aid in cultivating the sympathy that should exist between teachers and parents. 248 dif- ferent applicants applied for certificates during the past year, 216 of whom received certificates. The year previous, 395 applied, of whom 292 re- ceived certificates, showing a falling off in applications of 147, and 76 in certificates granted. This is probably owing to the fact of more stringent examinations.
JNO. P. DOUGLASS, Clerk of Board of Examiners.
PREBLE COUNTY.
We are unable to indicate to you the exact condition of our schools. No one can do this without a personal acquaintance with the same; yet we feel sure that our schools are improving in efficiency, year by year, and we base this belief upon the following facts :
1. Our County Teachers' Institute meets annually, and its meetings are of much interest and of great profit to those who attend them, and they are attended by all the earnest, energetic teachers of the county.
2. Our County Teachers' Association meets once a month, at the county seat. These meetings are of the utmost importance, and are at- tended by the same class of teachers as above, who, by a comparison of methods and experiences must be greatly benefited.
3. Besides the county associations, there are several local organiza- tions, whose meetings are largely attended by the patrons and pupils of the schools.
4. We have, within the year, raised the standard of qualifications for a certificate, and this has met the approval of all well-informed teachers in the county.
5. Teachers are evidently much more interested in the literature of their profession than formerly, and we believe that all these things must improve both the teachers and their teaching.
Our school-houses, school-grounds and school furniture are first-class. No expense has been spared in this direction. Many of our schools are well supplied with apparatus, yet there is a great lack of this in some townships. The different township boards should recognize it as their duty to place in every house under their control an unabridged dictionary, outline maps, globes, charts, and some good cyclopedia. No mechanic
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can do good work without the proper tools, nor can teachers without these helps.
But our schools are in need of attention and reform in other respects. We have too many children filling, or rather attempting to fill, the posi- tion of teachers. There is no excuse for placing the mental and moral training of our children in the hands of those whose immaturity of years must of necessity render them unable to do the work intrusted to them. Proper legislation is needed on this point. The age at which a person may be granted a certificate to teach should be regulated by law. Again, our sub-district school boards, or boards of directors, should be abolished. Our schools can never be what we would have them, so long as they have this dead weight to carry. The office of school director is a thankless one, and it too frequently occurs that the most illiterate man in the district, the one most lacking in good judgment, is, "just for a joke," elected to fill this office. We venture to say that, as a whole, there is no other body or class of men in the State who are so utterly and abso- lutely unqualified to discharge the duties they have assumed, as are boards of local directors ; and of this material must be made up our town- ship boards of education, which have charge and control of all the schools and school property in their townships.
Our remedy is this : Let the people of each township elect six of its best citizens to be the township school-board, and place the entire educational interests of the township in their hands. Divide the county into three (3) districts, and let the three examiners superintend these three districts. Give each an appropriate salary, and carefully define his duties. Let these superintendents, with one member from each township, constitute a committee to draft a course of study for the county. Uniformity of method and study may be thus obtained, and the teaching capacity of each teacher will be known to the examiners. We have no space to give arguments, but we believe that these changes would be of great benefit to our schools.
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