N. S. BENTON, State Superintendent, Rev. WILLIAM H. CAMPBELL, D. D. BOARD OF INSTRUCTION. DAVID P. PAGE, Principal, GEORGE R. PERKINS, A. M., Professor of Mathematics, J. B. HOWARD, Professor of Drawing. Nine of the more advanced pupils have been temporarily employed as assistants, during the past term. The State Normal School is under the general direction of the Regents of the University, to whom an annual report is made by the Executive Committee. Elizabeth Bell,. New Baltimore, Greene, Seward, Ann A. Pomeroy,.. New-York,. New-York. Columbia. Oneida. Emeline Russell,.. Rhinebeck, .... Sandlake,. Albany. Rensselaer. Elizabeth Slade,. Westerlo, Schoharie. Lois Adelia Slade,.. Westerlo, ...Albany. Onondaga. Hannah E. Stevens, Cicero, ....... Onondaga. Albany. Julia A. Covil, .................. Fabius, Mary E. Kelly,.. New-York,. B. H. McDonnell,.. New-York,... Albany. Wayne. Tioga. Ontario. Rensselaer. Washingt'n i New-York. Emily C. Wightman, Albany, Steuben. *Deccased. Alexander M. Baker,andy Creek,. George A. Clam,... Claveracky... Ontario.: Broome. Columbia. Chauta que Chemung. Jefferson. Charles W. Cofyer, Rochester city, Alex. Cummings, Jacob Chase, Jr.,.. Joel B. Conklin, Madison oo Hamilton.... William H. Niles, Varna, .... Tompkins. Willett S. Northrop, Wawarsing, Ulster. Rufus B. Cole,.....Fayette,...... Abial L. Cook, Castile,. ...Cayuga. Schenec'dy Abijah P. Slade,.. Westerlo,... Wash'gton ..Albany. Allegany. Columbia. Brownville, James D. Willmarth, Pitcher, John R. Webb, Ailliam Watson, Rochester, ... Clark Woodworth, Gates, Horace Warner, Lima, Jefferson. Monroe. Monroe. ..... Justus F. Wetmore,. Canajoharie,.. Thomas W. Watkins Hamptonburgh,. Orange. ... ..... A. H. Wallwork, Hempstead, Oneida. Cortland. Cayuga. Males, 140 Females, 75 STATE NORMAL SCHOOL. By an act of the legislature (see chap. 311, Laws of 1844,) an appropriation was made for the establishment and support of a "NORMAL SCHOOL for the instruction and practice of teachers of common schools in the science of education and in the art of teaching." In conformity with the law above referred to, this school was opened on the 18th day of December, 1844, in the city of Albany, under the direction and control of an executive committee, consisting of the Superintendent of Common Schools, by virtue of his office, and four other gentlemen appointed by the Regents of the University. The executive committee have adopted the following: of the United States, Natural Philosophy, Algebra, Geometry, Surveying, Application of Science to the Arts, Use of Globes, Intellectual and Moral Philosophy; with such other branches as the executive committee may from time to time direct. VIII. The pupil's title to a-recommendation or certificate as a well qualified teacher on character and literary attainments, and not on leaving the school, shall depend on his moral the length of time spent in the school; though no pupil shall be entitled to such recommen-L dation or certificate who shall not remain in the school one entire term; and no certificate except one of full qualifications shall be given. IX. Pupils in order to be admitted to the Normal School, must have attained to the age, if males, of eighteen years if females, sixteen years. REGULATIONS OF THE NORMAL SCHOOL. X. STATE PUPILS are those who are seI. The year shall be divided into two terms, lected by the county authorities, to attend the as follows: the first term commencing on the school; and they will receive toward defraysecond Wednesday of April in each year, and ing the expense of their board, such a sum as continuing twenty weeks. The second term the state of the funds will warrant. If any commencing on the third Wednesday of Oc-pupil, however, leaves the school before the tober, and continuing twenty-one weeks. II. All pupils intending to enter the Normal School at the next term, must join it during the first week of that term. III. Hereafter an equal number of state and volunteer pupils will be received from each county; and in case of the failure of any county to send its quota of pupils, the committee will, at their discretion, receive volunteers from other counties, until the number in the school, of state and volunteer pupils, shall be two hundred and fifty-six. IV. During the summer term, there shall be two daily sessions, except on Saturdays, viz: from eight A. M. to twelve o'clock, and from three to five P. M. During the winter term, there shall be but one daily session, viz : from nine A. M. to two P. M.; with such extra sessions in the afternoon for general exercises, as the Principal, subject to the appro bation of the executive committee, shall judge necessary. close of the term upon which he has entered, except for a reason entirely satisfactory to the State Superintendent, he shall forfeit all claim to his allowance for board. This allowance, next term, will be 75 cents per week. The county appointing power is vested in the board of supervisors, and if they are not; or will not be in session, during the vacation of the Normal School, then it is the duty of the county and town superintendents to fill all vacancies of state pupils. State Pupils shall be admitted at the commencement of any term, on presenting a certificate of their having been selected to attend the school by the proper authorities of their respective counties. [The following preamble and resolutions have also been adopted by the Executive Committee, respecting the continuance of pupils in the school.] WHEREAS a question has arisen, as to the length of time the state pupils in the Normal School have a right to retain their place in said school: V. Since the branches required by law to be taught in all the common schools, viz. Reading, Orthography, Writing, Arithmetic, WHEREAS, by a circular containing regu Geography and English Grammar are of pri-lations, issued by the committee, bearing date. mary importance, they shall receive in all ca- Dec. 16th, 1844, it was announced, that the ses primary attention in the Normal School; pupil's title to recommendation or certificate nor shall the pupils be allowed to pass to the as a well qualified teacher, on leaving the higher branches, till in the judgment of the school, shall depend on his moral character and teachers they are thoroughly prepared to do so. literary attainments, and not on the length of The instruction in these branches, as far as time spent in the school, though no pupil the nature of the subjects will admit, shall for shall be entitled to such certificate who shall the present be given by topics, allowing to the not remain in the school one entire term, and pupils any text-books to which they have been no certificate except one of full qualifications accustomed or may have access. shall be given: VI. Exercises in Drawing, Vocal Music and English Composition, shall be attended to by all the pupils throughout the whole course of study. VII. Among the branches to be pursued, in addition to the above, are Physiology, History AND WHEREAS it is desirable that the continuance of pupils in said school, to the exclusion of others, shall not be unnecessarily protracted, therefore Resolved, That the committee will recognize, in the disposition of particular cases which may arise, the following princi ples: 1. That pupils ought to be so well instructed before entering the Normal School, that two terms of training in said school, shall be sufficient to entitle them to a certificate of full qualification. 2. That where counties send as state pupils, persons not thus adequately prepared, a period longer than two terms will probably be neces sary. 3. That it shall be the duty of the principal and teachers in the Normal School, to transmit to the executive committee at their last meeting, before the close of each term, the names of pupils who in their estimation are not likely to become competent teachers of common schools, that their connection with the Normal school may cease, and their places be supplied from their respective counties. The summer term of this institution is now drawing to a close. In order that all concerned may act understandingly as to the next term, it has been thought proper to give a list of the vacancies so far as ascertained, which may be filled by the appointment of other pupils. (Sec page 103.) A few further suggestions may also be made: 1. It is proper to remind the various superact promptly in the selection of candidates for intendents, that it is very desirable they should the next term, in order that those selected may have sufficient time to prepare themselves to leave home, and enter the school at its opening on the 15th of October. The success of the school has been seriously impeded heretofore, by the tardy entrance of a portion of the pupils. 2. It is of much consequence that those candidates should be chosen, other things mal School, to which each pupil shall be enti-edly to remain in the school long enough to being equal, who can be willing uninterrupttled, is a question which the committee re- make the attainment necessary to thorough e serve for their exclusive decision; that the committee are anxious to expedite the pas- the candidates should in all cases possess a qualification. It is of importance moreover that ssage of pupils through the school as rapidly good knowledge of the rudimental branches as the public welfare will allow, and that in of the common schools, so that the energies these measures an impartial regard will be had of this school shall not be wasted upon those beto the rights and interests of all the counties matters which can be well acquired in every good district schoool. 4. That the term of continuance in the Nor and all the teachers of the state. grammar. XI. 1. All VOLUNTEER PUPILS shall, before they can be admitted, present satisfacTo tory testimonials of their moral character, from a county or town superintendent, and be bable to sustain, to the satisfaction of the principal, an examination in reading, spelling, writing, geography, arithmetic and English 972. Before admittance, they are expected to express their intention to remain in the school They will receive instruction in all the to prepare themselves to become teachers. bobranches taught, and will be furnished with the use of text-books, gratis. They will not receive anything towards paying for their Tboard. If they complete the course of study in the school, they will graduate on the same terms as the state pupils. ไม่ 1 3. As the volunteer pupils from any county cannot exceed the number of state pupils, such volunteers who may wish to attend the school, should first apply to the superintendents of their respective counties for information; and if there should be any vacancies at the nastime of such application, the said superintendent will grant a certificate to that effect, which will entitle such volunteer pupil to admission into the school, on the conditions specified in section one of this article. XII. The internal regulations of the school 2 shall be left to take their form and character from the circumstances as they arise; and if such regulations as the teachers may hereafter suggest for the government of the school, shall be submitted to the executive committee for their approval, before they go into effect. ' 3. As the office of the teacher is one of such vast importance and responsibility, it is earnestly hoped that the MORAL CHARAC TER will not be underrated in the selection of pupils for this school; for nothing can be the public charge a profane or impure young more revolting than the idea of educating at man, and thus giving him a passport to the sanctuary of the youthful mind in the commuthat the regulations of the school limit the age nity, so that he may blast and corrupt! 4. The superintendents will bear in mind of candidates for admission, the minimum being for females sixteen years, for male viation from this regulation. eighteen. There will hereafter be no de 5. As full and sufficient information as to the next term, will now be seasonably in possession of all who are concerned in the matter, it is expected of all pupils that they shall enter the school on the first day of the term; and except for very extraordinary reasons no pupil will be admitted after the 20th of Oc tober. characterizes the present pupils of the school, 6. The high order of talent, which generally affords good promise that the profession of teaching may be benefited by their future lafession demands higher talent-that none sufbors. It should be borne in mind that no procise it, than that of the teacher. It is therefers more when imbecility assumes to exerfore hoped the appointing officers, feeling their own responsibility in this matter, will select such talent as will secure to the state, a body of able men in this profession. EXPERIMENTAL SCHOOL. Preparations have also been made for the establishment in the same building of an EX committee. out" in questionable theories, phantoms that would vanish as they were approached, or like the ignis faluus, lead those who would turn aside to follow them into some doleful ditch, more to be dreaded than Bunyan's "slough of despond! To all those who have had any such expecta which demonstrates that scholars are not made PERIMENTAL SCHOOL. This school will consist of about forty pupils of various ages, from six years to sixteen, who will be instructed by the more advanced pupils in the Normal School, under the direction of a teach-tions, or who may still entertain them, it may er appointed for the purpose, and subject to not be amiss to say that such expectations may the supervision of the Principal. It is hoped not be realized. The prominent teachers of here to afford an opportunity for the practical this school are not men who have enjoyed a hot-bed growth in their profession; men inflaapplication of the principles of government and instruction inculcated in the Normal ted with ideas imbibed from hasty and scanty School, and that each Normal pupil will be induction, which the next day's experience :thus enabled to become, to a considerable ex- may prove false. They began their course in the humblest district schools, and gradually tent, acquainted with the detail of the business of teaching. The pupils of the Experimental found their way-not without some toil-to School will be instructed free of charge. Ap- positions in schools of more advancement. plications for admission to this school should They have had a full share of that experience be made to the Secretary of the executive in a day; and they think they have had evi dence that there is no patent method, by which a man without diligence, earnestness, pers verance, and a soul full of his work, can ever succeed in keeping a good school. They are so far conservative as to believe that thorough scholarship in the common branches is of essential service to the schoolmaster; and while they would not reject any real improvement, they would not embrace every educational novelty without at least applying to it the safe test of experience. Bred in the love of our own republican institutions, they have little disposition to transplant from the old world those peculiarities which befit only a people who have not learned to be free; yet they are neither too bigoted or self conceited to copy those real improvements, wherever they have been made, which are as valuable on American as European shores. Nine of the more advanced pupils have 3. been temporarily employed as assistants during the past term. Board may be obtained in respectable families from $1.50 to $2.00 per week, exclusive of washing. NORMAL SCHOOL. Without attempting, then, to copy any European or other model, they have endeavored to organize and carry into operation a system of measures, neither inconsistent with the teachings of their own best experience nor the dictates of common sense. Indeed, common sense and a supposed knowledge of the wants of the American people have been their guides in this arduous undertaking In other words, they have aimed to establish an American school, suited to American institutions; and as far as their own views were just, to avoid all those extravagancies and impracticabilities which may ever justly disgust an American people. As the establishment of a Normal School in this state is comparatively a new thing, and as many of those who visit it, as well as many others who do not, seem to have very unsettled ideas as to its object and its measures, it may not be amiss in this place, for those intimately concerned in its management, to express some of their own views in relation to it. They are the more inclined to do this, because they have found that a very large number of those who have visited the school, and not a few of those who have come to enter it as pupils, have done so without knowing beforehand what to expect as to the character of its exercises, or the ends aimed at by its teachers. Some evidently have come with a vague idea that their eyes would be constantly greeted with novelties-things before unheard of, at least on this side of the great water, things glaring and showy, but very likely of doubtful utility. Others have supposed it might be a sort of university, in which all the abstruse sciences would be taught, and where the heads of the pupils would be filled with high notions" of the "higher branches" They believe that the profession of the very much to the neglect of those usually teacher is one of the utmost importance, and taught in the common schools. Others still, they also know it has often been but poorly have fancied they should find something of exercised. Many-too many-have entered a foreign aspect-something copied from this profession with the most inadequate ideas Prussia or Germany-entirely unsuited to the of an education, and with the most defective republican simplicity of our growing popula- qualifications for ministering at its sacred altion-something well enough suited to a destars. Not knowing what they attempted to potic government abroad, but entirely uncongenial with our own democratic institutions. Not a few have believed they should discover a disposition among the teachers to "shine teach, nor how to teach it, they have sadly marred and defaced the "handiwork of God,” and probably have deserved even less consideration and reward from the community |