USA > Rhode Island > Annual report of the Board of Education : together with the Annual report of the Commissioner of Public Schools of Rhode Island, 1875 > Part 13
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Another striking difference between the education of an arbitrary and a free government is the neglect, in the former, of female education. This is deserving of special consideration. In a very few, if any, of the European states, is female education rightly appreciated. It is the few and not the many, that are trained for the higher and nobler duties of life.
The sacred institution of the family seems to be partially ignored and is, in a great measure, disintegrated and broken up by their military sys- tem. While in our own New England there is no institution so sacred, none around which cluster so many of the joys of life, none that leave such an abiding impression on the mind as that of an intelligent and well ordered family. This is the proper sphere for intelligent and cul- tured woman. It is here she should preside with dignity and moral power.
The infantile mind receives its first and most permanent impressions for good or evil from the heart and intellect of the mother. It is in the nursery and at the fireside that the germs of all that is great and good in the future character of the child are unfolded. It is here that all true culture begins. The teachers that have the greatest formative and moulding power, are those that watch over the first buddings of intel- lectual and moral life.
To this class of teachers more than to any other is entrusted the wel- fare of every people. Let their education then be fully adequate to their vast responsibilities. Let their training and culture be commensurate with their high and sacred calling. Let it be liberal, thorough, abound- ing in practical wisdom, discriminating between what is substantial and useful and that adds dignity and grace to home life, from that which merely glosses over the exterior for a vain show and is chiefly conspicu- ous on the promenade and in the drawing-room.
When Napoleon inquired of Madame de Stael, how he could best pro- mote the welfare of France, she with profound wisdom and foresight re- plied, instruct the mothers of the French people.
There is, however, one feature of the European system that is worthy of all imitation and cannot be commended too highly. That which is taught is taught thoroughly. There is no sham in their teaching-noth- ing is done for mere show, but every visible illustration that can be ob- tained to illustrate what is taught is liberally furnished for every grade of schools.
Another distinguished characteristic is the establishment of technical schools, in which the young can be especially trained for some particular trade or profession. Art and science are intimately joined together-all
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knowledge is utilized and made subservient to practical results. In this respect, more than in any other, is the wisdom of European educators apparent.
Our own system would be far more comprehensive and complete were a technical department connected with our High School. I trust the day is not far distant when this will be done The most favorable oppor- tunities and facilities should be furnished for the young to prepare them- selves specially for some particular vocation .- DANIEL LEACH, Supt.
TIVERTON .- Moral Instruction .- Moral instruction should be more general in our schools. Parents do not expect and demand it, yet many see and deplore the fact that the lack of a delicate moral sense among Americans is becoming, if not more general, at least more noticeable. The evil must be corrected, in a great measure, where the foundations are laid-in our Common Schools. RIGHT is the highest principle to which appeal can be made. 'The young should be required to do this, or refrain from that, because it is right. Safe and useful citizens in a State must be both intelligent and moral .- School Committee.
EDUCATIONAL MEETINGS.
BRISTOL .- Teachers' Association .- An Association of the Teachers of the public schools has been formed recently, which will mect once each month, for the purpose of disenssing subjects connected with discipline and instruction. These meetings are Institutes upon a small scale, and must be productive of beneficial results, not only to the teachers them- selves, but to the schools over which they are placed. On many ac- counts it would be desirable to hold these meetings oftner than once each month, but as several of the teachers have charge of the evening, as well as of the day schools, it has been found impracticable .- R. S. ANDREWS, Supt.
BURRILLVILLE .- Institute .- A teachers' institute was held February 24th in Pascoag. Commissioner Bicknell and two other gentlemen from Providence, who are connected with educational matters, were present, and favored the well-attended meetings of the day and evening, with valuable addresses. The important suggestions advanced at this meeting were carried, by some of the teachers, into immediate and pleas- ing practice. But the nature of the human memory convinces us of the need of more frequently agitating those questions relating to correct and improved methods of instruction .- WM. FITZ, Supt.
EAST GREENWICH .- A Teachers' Institute, under the charge of the State Commissioner, was held at Academy Hall during the day, Decem- ber 17th. Eminent instructors were present, and it was attended by all
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the teachers of this and some from adjoining towns. The Commissioner and others addressed a large audience in the evening .- DANIEL C. KEN- YON, Supt.
EAST PROVIDENCE .- An association of the teachers of the town has been formed, and a series of meetings have been held, which have ac- complished much in the way of awakening an interest in, and promoting the welfare of the public schools .- AHAZ BASSETT, Clerk and Supt.
LINCOLN .- Lectures .- It may be well to suggest that efforts be put forth to secure the services of lecturers, who would do much toward raising the standard of public education, and sowing the seeds of popular intelligence.
Lectures might be delivered, at least, once a term, in the various dis- tricts, to which the parents should be invited, and if no other good was accomplished, it would bring into prominence the work of the teacher, and show that he was interested in the real welfare of the pupils intrusted to his care ; and thus would be established more intimate and friendly relations between teacher, parent and pupil. It is a lack of this which is such a fruitful cause of failure.
Teachers' Meetings .- In this respect, we are sorry to report that we are sadly deficient. In some towns teachers' meetings are held montlhy ; and in one report, we noticed that there were "regular semi-monthly" meetings. The remarks of this committee are so just and suitable that we give them entire : "As a general rule, with few exceptions, we find that the best teachers attend teachers' meetings, institutes and educa- tional meetings ; also take and read one or more school journals. Teachers must not expect to keep up with the times without study and effort on their part. Good teachers find it necessary to study more or less every day. Teachers should also make their schools their business." We hope that this reproach against our town will be removed during the ensuing year, and that our teachers will hold meetings at least as often as once a term. Such neglect-as during the past-is inexcusable and culpable .- School Committee.
NORTH KINGSTOWN .- The past two or three years efforts have been made to sustain Teachers' Meetings, for discussion of the various topics connected with teachers' work, as well as the general interests of our common schools. These meetings were held in the Fall and Winter, but owing to the long distance many of the teachers were obliged to travel, and frequent interceptions occasioned by stormy weather, the meetings were never well sustained, and a discouraging feeling at length grew up which so far weakened the effort as to render the meetings almost a failure. The last Winter, however, a new organization was made with the hope that a more general interest would be awakened. This was called the "North Kingstown Educational Society," in which the citizens generally, manifested a lively interest. The meetings were held, at first, once in two weeks, but the attendance was usually so large, and the questions for discussion so numerous, that the experiment of holding them once a week was ventured on, with complete success, frequently calling out two or three hundred of our best citizens who expressed
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great satisfaction, not only in the special object of the meetings, but also in the pleasant occasions they afforded for social and intellectual enjoyment. These meetings were discontinued about the 1st of May to be resumed again in October, when, it is hoped, the interest will be no less strong on the part of our citizens generally, to sustain them .- A. B. CHADSEY, Supt.
RICHMOND .- A well-regulated system for our schools also calls upon you to act in concert with your Superintendent by establishing educa- tional meetings for your teachers. A good system and the best method of teaching is what we want, and how can we better secure it, than by bringing our teachers often together to consult in those matters of in- terest? We want good teachers and good schools, and this is perfectly consistent ; we have all the means necessary to this end, then let us use the means within our reach for a higher standard in educational interest. We need not be behind any town around us, if we will only join hands in this great work. Much depends on our action, and we feel that action should be immediate .- GILBERT TILLINGHAST, Supt.
SCITUATE .- In October the Commissioner of Public Schools for the State visited the town, held a Teachers' Institute at North Scituate, and lectured. Educational meetings have also been held under the direction of the town's committee. These were well attended, and a good interest was manifest. At the Rhode Island Institute of Instruction, held in Providence, in January, all the teachers in the town then in actual ser- vices except three, were present .- J. M. BREWSTER, Supt.
SOUTH KINGSTOWN .- Though we have come far short of realizing what we had anticipated, yet it is believed that we have been enabled to hold a much larger number of Teachers' Meetings the past year than have been held during any previous year in the history of this Associa- tion .- ELISHA F. WATSON, Supt.
SMITHFIELD .- A "Teachers' Institute " of some interest was held in Georgiaville, December 22d, by Commissioner Bieknell, assisted by Professor J. C. Greenough, principal of the State Normal School. The teachers in town were present with one exception .- M. W. BURLINGAME, Supt.
TIVERTON .- A " Teachers' Institute " was held at Tiverton Four Cor- ners in September, conducted by the Commissioner of Public Schools. Such institutes ought to be much longer and more generally attended by teachers.
In the early part of the Winter, the "Teachers' Association of Tiver- ton" was formed. Several meetings have been held in different locali- ties, with increasing interest and profit .- School Committee.
WESTERLY .- Lectures .- During the Fall and Winter, I gave seven school lectures to parents and guardians, in which I endeavored to show them plainly, the duties they owe to their own children, and to the dis- trict school .-- H. M. EATON, Supt.
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SCHOOL COMMISSIONER'S REPORT.
EVENING SCHOOLS.
BRISTOL .- Number of evening schools? Two .- Where held? Day school rooms .- Length of each session? Two hours .- Grade of in- struction-primary, grammar, high school, or mixed? Mixed .- Length of school in weeks? Twenty-two weeks. three evenings per week .- Whole number of male teachers employed : Two .- Average salary per week, male teachers? Six dollars .- Number of female teachers ? Five. Average salary per week? $4.50 .- Number of pupils-males? 1st term, 57 ; 2d term, 46 ; 3d term, 30; average 44-Number of pupils- females? 1st term, 86; 2d term, 68; 3d term, 53; average, 69 .- Total number registered ? One hundred and forty-three .- Average
attendance ? Forty-seven .- Whole number over 18 years of age? Eight-Whole number under 12 years of age? Six .- Average age of pupils in attendance? Fourteen .- Studies pursued in the school ? Arithmetic, geography, history, reading, writing, spelling .- Average number of pupils to each teacher? Twenty-nine; two teachers employed a part of each evening .- Principal employment of pupils out of school? Factory labor .- Books and stationery furnished by town, or by pupils? Town .- Instruction by classes, by individuals, or by both methods? Both methods .- When were evening schools first open- ed in your town? November, 1871 .- Amount of money received from your town for evening schools? $600 .- Amount appropriated by the town for evening schools for the current year? $600. - Do eve- ning schools affect the attendance of the day schools? Not seriously .- Are pupils admitted to the evening school who attend the day school? No .- At what age in your opinion should pupils be admitted to the evening school? Fourteen .- Any remarks as to their success or partial failure? In many instances very satisfactory results .- Any marked examples of application to study? Yes .- Number of hours of daily labor of pupils who work in the mills? Eleven and a half hours .- Would you recommend the half-time system for such pupils as work in the mills. under 15 years of age? Yes ?- Committee.
These schools commenced on the evening of the 20th of October, and have continued without interruption, with the exception of a vacation of one week in November and one during the Christmas holidays.
They have been conducted upon much the same plan as last winter, and have been taught, with one or two exceptions, by the same teachers. Last year these schools were in session four evenings each week, but this year the Committee thought the work would prove too much for the teachers, all of whom, are engaged in the day schools also, and there- fore decided to hold the sessions on the first three evenings of the week only. There has been no occasion to regret this change ; the schools have been pleasantly conducted and with very good results. The de- portment of the pupils has been quite unexceptionable, and their desire to learn very commendable.
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The Committee regret that the number of boys has not been as large as during either of the two previous winters, but the attendance of those who have been actually members of the school, has been more regular and a greater degree of punctuality has been observed than ever before.
The Committee regret exceedingly that the attendance has not been larger, they are well aware that at least twice as many as have done so, should have availed themselves of the benefits and advantages offered in these schools, but they are convinced, nevertheless, that they are of great service to those who do attend, and that the amount of good ac- complished by them in this community is much more than the expense attending them .- R. S. ANDREWS, Supt.
BURRILLVILLE .- Number of evening schools? Three .- Where held? Pascoag, Harrisville. and Mapleville .- Length of each session? Pas- coag, 12 weeks ; Harrisville, thirteen and a half weeks, and Mapleville ten weeks .- Grade of instruction-primary, grammar, high school, or mixed? Mixed .- Number of male teachers employed? None .- Num- ber of female teachers? Four .- Average salary per week ? $5.00 .- Number of pupils-males? One hundred and six .- Number of pupils -females? Seventy-eight .- Total number registered? One hundred and eighty·four .- Average attendance ? Eighty-five-Average number of pupils to each teacher? Twenty-one .- Principal employment of pupils out of school? Operatives in woolen mills .- Books and stationery furnished by town or pupils? Pupils .- Amount of money received from your town for evening schools? None .- Amount received from individuals or corporations? Not known .- Amount appropriated by the town for evening schools for the current year? None-Do even- ing schools affect the attendance of the day schools? No .- Are pupils admitted to the evening school who. attend the day school ? No .- Number of hours of daily labor of pupils who work in the mills ? Eleven hours .- JAMES S. COOK, Clerk.
Three of these important schools were opened and continued about twelve weeks during the winter at Pascoag, Harrisville and Mapleville.
The experience of the year in regard to this class of schools teaches four lessons for future use :
1st. The place for them should be ample and convenient.
2d. Uniform text books should be required, as in the day schools.
3d. A teacher should be engaged for every twenty or thirty scholars. Each teacher to receive the same wages.
4th. The practice of employing the teachers of the day schools, for the evening, should not be followed, as the care and labor of both, at the same time, is promotive neither of the health of the teachers nor of the greatest good to the schools concerned .- WM. FITZ, Supt.
COVENTRY .- Number of evening schools? One for the two villages of Anthony and Quidnick .- Where held? In the school-room of grammar department, Quidnick school-house .- Length of each session? Two hours between 72 and 92 o'clock p. m .- Grade of instruction-primary,
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grammar, high school, or mixed? Mixed .- Length of school in weeks ? Eight, or forty evenings .- Number of male teachers employed? Two .- Average salary per week, male teachers? Ten dollars for principal and five for assistant .- Number of female teachers? None .- Number of pupils .- males? Seventy-three .- Number of pupils-females? Twenty- eight .- Total number registered? One hundred and one .- Average attendance? Fifty-three and two-fifths scholars .- Whole number over eighteen years of age? Forty-six .- Whole number under twelve years of age? Two .- Age of pupils in attendance? Between fifteen and thirty-five years of age .- Studies pursued in the school? Spelling, reading, writing and mathematics .- Average number of pupils to each teacher? Nearly twenty-seven .- Principal employment of pupils out of school? Manufacturing .- Books and stationery furnished by town or by pupils? By pupils .- Instruction by classes or by individuals, or by both methods? By both methods .- When were evening schools first opened in your town? On the evening of January 5, 1874 .- Amount of money received from your town for evening schools? Nothing as yet .- Amount received from individuals or corporations? Unascer- tained .- Do evening schools affect the attendance of the day schools? They do not .- Are pupils admitted to the evening school who attend the day school? Are not-At what age in your opinion should pupils be admitted to the evening school? From sixteen years, upward .- Any remarks as to their success or partial failure? Been unexpectedly suc- cessful here .- Number of hours of daily labor of pupils who work in the mills? Presume as the other employees .- D. P. SPENCER, Principal.
CUMBERLAND .- Number of evening schools? Three .- Where held ? Valley Falls, Lonsdale, and Ashton .- Length of each session? About two hours .- Grade of instruction-primary, grammar, high school, or mixed? Mixed .- Length of school in weeks? Valley Falls, eleven weeks, (five evenings per week,) Lonsdale, fifty-four evenings ; Ashton, fifty-eight evenings .- Number of male teachers employed ? Two .- Average salary per week, male teachers? $1.87 per eve- ning .- Number of female teachers? Ten .- Average salary per week? $1.00 per evening .- Number of pupils .- males? One hun- dred and eighty-four .- Number of pupils .- females? One hundred and sixty-three .- Total number registered? Three hundred and forty-seven. -Average attendance? Two hundred thirty-six and five tenths .- Whole number over eighteen years of age? Twenty-five .- Whole num- ber under twelve years of age? Thirty-nine .- Average age of pupils in attendance? Fourteen .- Studies pursued in the school? Reading, spelling, writing, arithmetic and grammar .- Average number of pupils to each teacher? Twenty-nine .- Principal employment of pupils out of school? Operatives in cotton factory .- Books and stationery furnished by town or pupils? Pupils .- Instruction by classes or by individuals, or by both methods? Both .- Amount of money received from your town for evening schools ? $600.00 .- Amount received from individuals or cor- porations? Nonc .- Do evening schools affect the attendance of the day schools? A little in one district .- Are pupils admitted to the evening school who attend the day school? They are not .-
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At what age in your opinion should pupils be admitted to the evening school? Not under twelve .- Any remarks as to their success or partial failure ? Fair success .- Any marked examples of application to study ? There were several .- Number of hours of daily labor of pu- pils who work in the mills? Ten to ten and one half .- Would you re- commend the half-time system for such pupils as work in the mills, under fifteen years of age? No .- C. W. BURNHAM, Supt.
By means of the liberal appropriation of the town and State the evening schools had fifty-four sessions. And notwithstanding the length of the term, the percentage of attendance was ten per cent. better than last winter, twenty-five more scholars attended than last winter, twenty-five were over eighteen years of age, and thirty-nine were under twelve.
There are some who attend more or less regularly, who take very little interest in study, and consequently make little progress. But the same may be said of some day scholars. But there are many who faithfully improve their time. Several instances of commendable progress were reported to the superintendent. A number who came in ignorant of the alphabet, learn to read with facility in the first reader. Several study- ing arithmetic for the first time, mastered the fundamental rules, and some of the more advanced, averaged two pages of arithmetic per even- ing for the term. One little girl made up what she had lost during an absence of three terms from the day school, and was able to join the class she left when she entered the mill. All, so far as can be learned, who made themselves conversant with these schools, express a convic- tion that the evening schools succeeded beyond reasonable expectation. It may not be desirable to have quite as many evenings as last winter, but no tax-payer should grudge the disbursement of money which is doing so much good for the hard working children and youth as that paid for evening schools .- C. W. BURNHAM, Supt.
EAST GREENWICH .- Number of evening schools? One .- Where held? In public school house, district No. 1 .- Length of each session ? One and a half hours .- Grade of instruction-primary, grammar, high school, or mixed? Mixed .- Length of school in weeks? Ten .- Number of male teachers employed? One .- Average salary per week, male teachers? $5.00 .- Number of female teachers? One .- Aver- age salary per week? $4.00 .- Number of pupils-males? Thirty- eight .- Number of pupils-females? Twenty-two .- Total number registered? Sixty .- Average attendance? Twenty-two .- Whole num- ber over eighteen years of age? Two .- Whole number under twelve years of age? Four .- Average age of pupils in attendance? Fourteen years and a half .- Studies pursued in the school? Reading, spelling, writing, arithmetic .- Average number of pupils to each teacher? Thirty. -Principal employment of pupils out of school? Work in cotton mills and print works .- Books and stationery furnished by town or by pupils ? By contribution .- Instruction by classes or by individuals, or by both methods? Both .- When were evening schools first opened in your town? December, 1872. - Amonnt received from individuals or corporations ? $16.15. - Do evening schools affect the attendance
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of the day schools? Slightly .- Are pupils admitted to the evening school who attend the day school? No. - At what age in your opinion should pupils be admitted to the evening school? Not under twelve .- Any remarks as to their success or partial failure? Work was begun at the Print Works at night, after the opening of school which greatly reduced the average attendance .- Number of hours of daily labor of pupils who work in the mills? Eleven hours .- Would you recommend the half-time system for such pupils as work in the mills, under fifteen years of age? Yes.
Although attendance was regular, some of the pupils were very much interested and made commendable improvement. - D. C. KENYON, Supt.
There was an evening school at the Public school house in district No. 1, during the winter, which continued ten weeks, or fifty nights, and was supported mostly by an appropriation from the State. This cannot be depended upon in future unless the town will contribute something towards the expense.
As an evening school will benefit numbers who are employed in the mills and at other labor during the day. we suggest that the town ap- propriate a sum-say fifty dollars, --- to the support of an evening school for the current year .- JAMES H. ELDREDGE, Chairman.
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