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property is disposed of, or not secured for the benefit of the district. But no one is aggrieved by another being included in a tax list or rate bill, although other inhabitants are by the omission of one who should be taxed; and appeals may be made by trustees, in behalf of their districts, whenever they are aggrieved.

FORM AND MANNER OF PROCEEDING. XIII. An appeal must be in writing and signed by appellant. When made by the trustees of a district, it must be signed by all the trustees, or a reason must be given for the omission of any, verified by the oath of the appellant, or of some person acquainted with such

reason.

money in their hands claimed to belong to any person, or any other District, after the copy of an appeal is served on them in relation to such claim, they must retain such moneys to abide the result, and must not expend them so as to defeat the object of the appeal.

XXIV. Whenever a decision is made by the County Superintendent, and communicated to the Town Su. perintendent of Common Schools, respecting the lor themation, division or alteration of Districts, he must cause the decision to be recorded in the office of the Town Clerk. All other decisions communicated to him, or to the Trustees of Districts, are to be kept among the official papers of the Clerk of the Town or District and handed over to his successors; and the district Clerks are required to record all such as come to their

XIV. A copy of the appeal, duly verified, and of all the statements, maps and papers intended to be pre-hands in the District book kept by them. sented in support of it, must be served on the officers whose act or decision is complained of, or some one of them; or if it be from the decision or proceedings of a district meeting, upon the district clerk or one of the trustees, whose duty it is to cause information of such appeal to be given to the inhabitants who voted for the decision or proceeding appealed from.

XV. Such service must be made within thirty days after the making of the decision, or the performance of the act complained of: or within that time, after the knowledge of the cause of complaint came to the appel lant, or some satisfactory excuse must be rendered for the delay. XVI. The party on whom the appeal was served, must within ten days from the time of such service, answer the same, either by concurring in a statement of facts with the appellant, or by a separate answer. Such statement and answer must be signed by all the Trustees, or other officers, whose act, omission, or decision is appealed from, or a good reason on oath must be given for the omission of the signature of any of them, verified by oath, and a copy of such answer must be served on the appellants or some one of them.

XVII. So far as the parties concur in a statement no oath will be required to it. But all facts, maps or papers, not agreed upon by them and evidenced by their signature on both sides, must be verified by oath.

XVIII. All oaths required by these regulations must be taken before a Judge of a Court of Record, a Commissioner of Deeds, or a Justice of the Peace.

XIX. A copy of the answer, and of all the statements, maps and papers intended to be presented in support of it, must be served upon the appellants or some one of them, within ten days after service of a copy of the appeal, unless further time be given by the County Superintendent, on application, in special cases; but no replication or rejoinder shall be allowed, except by permission of the County Superintendent, and in reference exclusively to matters arising upon the answer, and which may be deemed by such County Superintendent pertinent to the issue: in which case such replication and rejoinder shall be duly verified by oath and copies thereof served on the opposite party..

XX. Proof or admission of the service of copies of the appeal, answer and all other papers intended to be used on the hearing of such appeal must, in all cases, accompany the same.

APPEALS TO THE STATE SUPERINTENDENT. XXV. The following regulations respecting the mode of bringing an appeal from the decision of the County Superintendent are hereby prescribed in pursuance of the authority conferred by the seventh section of the late act.

Whenever any party to an appeal shall be desirous of appealing to the Superintendent of Common Schools from the decision of any Couuty Superintendent, such party shall, within fifteen days after service of a copy of such decision, serve a written notice upon such County Superintendent either personally or by leaving the same at his residence, of his or their intention to appeal from such decision. Such County Superinten dent shall, within ten days thereafter, transmit to the Superintendent of Common Schools, a statement setting forth all the allegations and proofs of the respective parties before him, or the originals or certified copies of such papers as were presented on such appeal, together with a copy of his decision thereon, for which he shall be entitled to receive the sum of one dollar, to be paid by the party appealing on service of notice of his intention to bring said appeal. The respective County Superintendents shall annually render a correct account of the money so received by them, verified by their oath, to the boards of supervisors of their counties: who, in their discretion may deduct the said amount from the postage account of such Superintendent. The final decision of the Superintendent in the premises shall be communicated by the County Superintendent to the respective parties, on application by them, or either of them. The bringing of such appeal froni the decision of the County Superintendent, shall not operate as a stay of proceedings, unless such stay shall be specially directed by such County Superintendent; in which case a copy of the order staying such proceedings shall be served upon the opposite party.

COUNTY SUPERINTENDENTS.

The object of the Legislature in requiring the ap pointment of superintendents for the several counties of the State, may be expressed in the terms of the recommendation of that measure; that they should personally visit the schools; give counsel and instruction as to their management; discover errors and suggest the proper remedy; animate the exertions of teachers, XXI. When any proceeding of a District Meeting is trustees and parents, and impart vigor to the whole sysappealed from; and when the inhabitants of a District tem. All writers on public education concur in the degenerally are interested in the matter of the appeal; cided opinion that effectual inspection and supervision and in all cases where an inhabitant might be an apare more essential to the proper management of schools, pellant, had the decision or proceeding been the oppo-and mere indispensable to their improvement than any, site of that which was made or had; any one or more of such inhabitants may answer the appeal, with or without the Trustees.

or all other agencies combined. This high duty will now devolve chiefly on the county superintendents. If they realize its vast importance, and bring to its discharge a firm resolution to regard only the great interests confided to their hands, they will become the honored means of extending and sustaining a cause, on

ple, and the perpetuity of our institutions.

XXII. Where the appeal has relation to the alteration or formation of a School District, it must be accompa nied by a map, exhibiting the site of the school house, the roads, the old and new lines of Districts, the diffe-which depends the happiness and prosperity of the peorent lots, the particular location and distance from the school houses, of the persons aggrieved; and their relative distance if there are two or more school houses in question. Also, a list of all the taxable inhabitants in the District or territory to be affected by the question: the valuation of their property taken from the last assessment roll, and the number of children between five and sixteen belonging to each person, distinguishing the Districts to which they respectively belong.

XXIII. When the copy of the appeal is served, all proceedings upon or in continuation of the act complained of, or consequent in any way upon such act, must be suspended, until the case is decided. So where any decision concerning the distribution of public money to one or more Districts is appealed from, the Town Superintendent must retain the money which is in dispute until the appeal is decided. And where Trustees have

Their duties are so connected with the interests of others, and are so liable at times to conflict with the opinions and prejudices of those with whom they will associate. that the greatest prudence will be required to prevent unfavorable impressions at the commencement of a system so new, and by many but imperfectly understood. As their usefulness will depend mainly on the influence they shall be able to exercise upon the officers and teachers of schools, and upon parents and the inhabitants of districts generally, they will endea. vor to deserve that influence by their deportment, and studiously to avoid every thing which may impair it.Hence it will be indispensable that they should abstain wholly and absolutely from all interference in any lo. cal divisions, or in any questions by which the commu. nity in any town or district may be agitated; and al.

though they cannot be expected to abandon their politi-school, on the part of the inhabitants, and all those oth eal sentiments, yet it is obvious that any participation er particulars which go to form the character of the in measures to promote the success of any political par-school, and to determine the amount of mental and ty, will not fenly diminish their influence, and impair their usefulness, by exciting suspicion of the objects of their movements and measures, but will expose the of fice they hold to a vindictive hostility that will not cease antil it is abolished. The intelligence of our people will not tolerate the idea of the agents of public instruction becoming the emissaries of partisan manage

ment.

moral influence which it is to exercise on its inmates. But if, from the number of districts which it is made bis duty to visit, he cannot accomplish this amount of labor, and at the same time faithfully discharge the addi tional obligations devolved upon him by the existing law, it is far better that he should restrict bis visita tions to a number to which he can do full justice, than that he should nominally conform to the strict requireThe subordination of pupils, the good order of the ment of his instructions, by making a flying visit to all schools, and the success of the whole system, depend the districts, without leaving any abiding, permanent upon the harmonious co-operation of all the officers impression of utility upon any. Let what is accomcharged with the performance of duties under it, and plished be accomplished thoroughly; what is done, be upon the maintenance of their authority in the respec- well done; and the temporary inconvenience which any tive spheres of their duty. The teacher must be re- one or more districts may sustain from a failure on the spected by his scholars; and to insure this, they must part of the county superintendent to reach them in any he impressed with a conviction of his authority to go-given period, will be more than counterbalanced by the vern them. The trustees of districts, and officers of amount of good effected when he does appear among towns, are to be sustained, and their authority respect them. All embarrassments arising from this source, ed in their appropriate departments, so as to insure the may, however, in most cases, easily be averted by the greatest degree of efficiency Organization, and a cen-appointment of two superintendents, under the section tral communication, will accomplish much in giving referred to. uniformity and regularity to the system but after all, more is to be done by local efforts and public sentiment, J. Visiting the Districts and Inspecting the especially in providing competent teachers and in filling the schools. It should, then, he the great object of the county superintendents to encourage and sustain these local efforts; to guide and enlighten the public opinion:intendent, "to visit and examine all the schools, and and to interest parents in those institutions which are so seriously to affect the moral and intellectual character of their offspring.

Schools.

The statute makes it the duty of every county super

school districts committed to his charge, as often in each year as may be practicable, having reference to the number of such districts." This language is understood to mean that the districts and schools are to be visited as often as their number will permit.

To attain these purposes, it will be advisable for them to avail themselves of every proper opportunity to deli ver familiar addresses in public, upon the importance 1 The act requires the superintendents to notify the of our primary schools, the necessity of attention to town superintendents of the towns, of the time appoint them, and the means of promoting their success. Ined to visit the schools; and to invite their attendance. their present condition, the points that seem to require The superintendents will also give notice to the trus the most attention are, First, The employment of tees of the districts, of the time when their schools will good teachers; Second. The attendance of all the chile visited. To enable them to comply with the-e prodren in the schools during the whole time they are visions, they should make a previous arrangement of open; and, Third, The elevation of the standard of ed- their visits, in reference to the means of travelling, so ucation. as to reach as many districts as possible in the shortest They should impress upon parents, that cheap teach-time; and for this purpose they will find it necessary to ers cannot be good teachers, until all the principles of divide their counties into sections. Having fixed the human action are reversed, and until men cease to pur-time for visiting the schools in one or more sections, sue those employments which render the best returns for their talent and industry. From the employment of good teachers, other results will necessarily follow particularly a more extended range, and a higher degree of instruction. These will, inevitably, fill the schools, by drawing pupils from those private and select establishments which are founded chiefly to supply the deficiencies of the common schools, and which ordinarily operate so much to their injury.

By the fourth section of the late act, the board of supervisors of any county in which there are more than one hundred and fifty school districts, (including those joint districts, the school houses of which are located within the county,) are authorized to appoint two county superintendents; in which case they are to divide the county into two convenient districts, and to assign a superintendent to each. Each county in the State, is, however, to have one county superintendent, upon penalty of being deprived of its share of the public money, unless otherwise directed by this department.

they should at once give ample notice, by transmitting a copy of their arrangement to the town superintendents of the towns embraced within it, and request them to communicate to the trustees of districts, information of the time appointed for inspecting their schools, or in some other way give publicity to their plans. It is presumed that publishers of newspapers would cheerfully insert such notices gratuitously. They have ever been found ready to render their assistance to disseminate information calculated to promote the interests of the common schools.

The inhabitants of the district, and particularly parents who have children attending the school, should be invited to be present at the inspection by the superintendent and trustees of districts are hereby required, whenever they receive information of an intended visit, to communicate it as generally as possible to the inha bitants. Their attendance will afford an opportunity for the public addresses of the superintendents, before suggested.

The appointment of two county superintendents wherever the number of districts in any county shall exceed one hundred and fifty, is strongly recommended. No one person can do full justice in the supervision of a greater number of schools during the limited periods for which they are annually kept open; and unless the su-pervision is thorough in all respects; nless the coun-school, which will be found greatly to facilitate his subty superintendent has made himself familiarly and intimately acquainted with the resources, administration, and capabilities of every one of the schools which he visits; unless he has been enabled to detect and remove

2. Examination of the School.-Preparatory to this, the superintendent should ascertain from the teacher the number of classes; the studies pursued by each; the routine of the school; the successive exercises of each class during each hour of the day; the play spells allowed, &c, and thus obtain a general knowledge of the sequent duties. Every superintendent is enjoined to call for and examine the list of scholars in the book which the statute requires the teacher to keep, in order that he may see whether the names are correctly and neatly entered. He will also examine the day roll and the weekly roll, which by the preceding regulations, teachers are directed to preserve, and will ascertain by the proper inquiries, whether they are exact in entering all who are present.

by judicious counsel and friendly advice, every material obstacle to the prosperity and success of the school; to develop all its advantages, and to give to it the means for attaining to an equality with those of the highest grade, the great object for which his office was created, has not been accomplished. It is, on every ac The superintendent will then hear each class recite count, desirable that the county superintendent should, the ordinary lesson of the day. It will then be examin once at least in every year, and offener if practicable, ed on the subjects of study. Generally it will be better visit every district within his jurisdiction; thoroughly to allow the teacher to conduct the exercises and examinspect its school; satisfactorily ascertain the qualifiinations, as the pupils will be less likely to be intimi cations of the teacher, and the facilities for instruction dated, and an opportunity will be given of judging of at his command; the condition of the school house and the qualifications of the instructers. its appurtenances; the condition and prospects of the library; the degree of interest manifested towards the

To enable him to compare the school with itself at another time, and with other schools, and to comply

with the regulations hereinafter contained respecting the annual reports, the superintendent should keep notes of his observations, and of the information he obtains on all the subjects on which he is required to report; and he should particularly note any peculiarities which seem to require notice in the mode of instruction, in the government and discipline of the school, and the appearance of the pupils in respect to their cleanliness of person and neatness of apparel.

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3. With regard to the course of instruction, the advice of the superintendents will often be of great value The usual order has been found by long experience to be the best, viz: the alphabet, spelling, reading with de finitions, arithmetic, geography, history and grammar. No child should be put to any study beyond his capaci

grammar particularly, demands so much exercise of the intellect, that it ought to be delayed until the pupil bas acquired considerable strength of mind.

3. The superintendent will also examine the condition of the school house and its appurtenances; whether the room has the means of ventilation, by lowering an upper sash, or otherwise; whether it is sumhciently tight to protect the children from currents of air, and to keep them warm in winter; whether there is a sup ply of good water; the condition of the privies, andy, or for which he is not already prepared. English whether they are provided for both sexes; and the ac commodations for physical exercise. Their attention will be given to the arrangement of the school room; whether the seats and desks are placed most conveni4. The books of elementary instruction.-It is believed ently for the pupils and teachers, and particularly whe-that there are none now in use in our schools that are ther backs are provided for the seats-a circumstance very defective; and the difference between them is so very important to the comfort and health of the child-light. that the gain to the scholar will not compensate ren. They should also inquire whether black-boards and alphabetical cards, or any apparatus to assist learners, are furnished.

The preceding topics of inquiry are suggested, rather as hints of the most important, than intended to embrace the whole field. The judgment and observation of the superintendents will discover many other subjects deserving their attention.

4. The superintendents will also inquire into the condition of the district, in relation to its ability to maintain a school; whether its interest and the convenience of its inhabitants can be promoted by any alterations, without injury to others; and they will suggest what. ever occurs to them, to the trustees.

5. They will also examine the district library, and obtain the information respecting it, hereinafter required to be stated in their reports.

for the heavy expense to the parent, caused by the substitution of new books with every new teacher; and the capriciousness of change which some are apt to indulge ou this subject, cannot be too strongly or decidedly re sisted. Trustees of districts should look to this matter when they engage teachers.

One consequence of this practice is, the great variety of text books on the same subject, acknowledged by all to be one of the greatest evils which afflicts our schools. It compels the teacher to divide the pupils into as many classes as there are kinds of books, so that the time which might have been devoted to a careful and delibe rate hearing of a class of ten or twelve, where all could have improved by the corrections and observations of In case of any gross deficiency or inconvenience, the instructor, is almost wasted in the hurried recitawhich the proper officers refuse or decline to remedy,tions of ten or a dozen pupils in separate classes; while the superintendents will note it in their annual reports in large schools, some must be wholly neglected. Wher to this department. ever the superintendents find this difficulty existing, they should not fail to point out its injurious conse quences, and to urge a remedy by the adoption of uniform text books as speedily as possible. To accomplish this, let the trustees, under the advice of the teacher, inspectors and superintendents, determine what text books shall be used in each study, and require eve ry child thereafter coming to the school to be provided with the designated books. This very desirable uniform ity may, perhaps, be facilitated by exchanges between different districts, of the books that do not correspond with those in general use, for such as do. For instance, in one school the great majority of spelling books may be those of Webster, with some of Mar shall's, while the latter may predominate in another district, in which there are also several of Webster's. In such cases, an exchange of the differing books between the two would obviously be mutually beneficial. The superintendents might assist in the execution of such an arrangement, by noting the proportions of the vari ous books in the different schools.

II. Advising and consulting with the
Trustees and other officers of School
Districts.

This is made a special duty of the superintendents by the act; they are to advise the trustees and other off cers in relation to all their duties; and to recommend to them and the teachers the proper studies, discipline, and conduct of the school; the course of instruction to be pursued, and the elementary books to be used. The notes which the superintendents make during their inspection of the school, will much facilitate the discharge of this portion of their duty.

5. The Erection of School Houses.-The statute has enjoined upon the superintendents particular attention to this subject. Whenever they learn that the building of a school house is contemplated, they should advise with the trustees respecting its plan. He must be a su perficial observer, who has not perceived how much the health of pupils, the order and discipline of a school, and the convenience of the teacher, depend upon the arrangements of the school room." This is not the place to state the best models. Information upon that point, collected with great care from Europe and Ameri ca, has already been given, and will continue to be furnished in the District School Journal. Whenever repairs are about to be made to school houses, the superintendents should avail themselves of the occasion to recommend such improvement as may be desirable.

1. In regard to proper studies: if they find any important on omitted, or that pupils are hastened on with out thoroughly understanding the preliminary or previous branches, they should point out the error and its consequences. For instance, they should urge the absolute necessity of children being thoroughly and fre quently exercised in spelling, so that they make no mistakes in any words in common use. Without this it is impossible for them to be good readers. And in the exercise of reading, they should insist on clear and distinct articulation, more than any other quality; and generally the ability of the superintendent is relied upon to detect bad habits in the manner of reciting, errone ous ideas of the subject, and superficial acquirements. 2. The discipline and conduct of the school. It can scarcely be necessary to remark on the importance of order and system in the schools, not only to enable the pupils to learn any thing, but to give them those habits of regularity so essential in the formation of character. 6. In their consultations with trustees and teachers, Punctuality of attendance, as well as its steady conti- the superintendents should be especially careful to nuance should be enforced. Parents should be told how communicate their suggestions in a kind and friendly much their children lose, to what inconvenience they spirit, as the most likely means of success, and as the expose the teacher, and what disorder they bring upon only mode of preserving those harmonious relations, the whole school, by not insisting upon the scholars be- which are essential to their own happiness as well as ing punctually at the school room at the appointed hour; usefulness; and whenever they observe any thing in and above all, they should be warned of the injurious the mode of instruction, in the government or disciconsequences of allowing their children to be absent pline of the school, or in any other point, which, in their from school during the term. By being indulged in ab- judgment, requires correction, they will make it a point sences, they lose the connexion of their studies; pro- to intimate their views to the teacher in private, and bably fall behind their class; become discouraged, and never, on any occasion, suffer themselves to find fault then seek every pretext to play the truant. The habit with him in the presence of his pupils. Children canof irregularity and insubordination thus acquired, will not discriminate, and they will feel themselves at liberbe apt to mark their character through life, Trusteesy to blame, when the example has been set by others.

The authority of the teacher should be preserved entire while he remains. If his conduct is worthy of public censure, he should be at once dismissed, rather than be retained to become an object of the contempt of his scholars

III. Reports to the Superintendents.

1. The time when they are to be made.-By § 38, of the act of 1841, (No. 173,) the county superintendents are required annually to make reports to the superintendent, at such times as shall be appointed by him. The town superintendents of common schools are required to file their reports with the county clerk, on or before the first day of August in each year. The law made it the duty of the county clerks to transmit certified copies of all such reports to the superintendent by the hirst day of October in every year. This duty is now to be performed by the county superintendents, who, for that purpose, are to have access to the reports filed in the clerk's offices without charge. Although the time thus fixed for transmitting the reports to the superintendent is longer than is necessary, in many counties, yet for the purpose of giving ample opportunity to render the returns full and accurate, the same time is hereby appointed for the county superintendents to make their reports; but it is required that they shall be made and deposited in the post-office in season to reach the office of the Secretary of State by the first day of October in each year. This is essential to enable the superintendent to prepare his annual report to the Legislature, for presentation at the proper period.

2. Their contents.-The reports are required by the statute to be the same as those now made by county clerks, with such additional information as the superintendent shall require. They will contain:

(1.) A statement of the whole number of towns and cies in the county, distinguishing those from which the necessary reports have been made, and those from which none have been received:

(2) A true and accurate abstract of all the reports filed with the county clerk dur ng the year, or since the preceding annual report, by the town superintendents of common schools of the several towns, certined by the county superintendents respectively, to be true and accurate abstracts of said originals. To facilitate the performance of this duty, printed blanks will be transmitted to the county superíutendents. The several columns are to be footed, so as to exhibit an abstract of the reports for the whole county.

3. They will also report the number of district schools visited by them during the year, and the num. ber of times each school has been so visited, specifying the number when they were accompanied by the town superintendent. They will state the condition of the schools under the following heads:

over 50.

(1.) Teachers.-The number of males and their ages, viz: the number under 18 years of age; those over 18 and under 21; over 21 and under 25; over 25 and under 30; over 30 and under 40; over 40 and under 50; and The number of females and their ages in the same manner. The length of time those of different sexes have taught school, viz: the number of males who have taught less than one year; the number who have taught one year and less than two; two years and less than four; four years and less than six; more than six years; and the same in respect to females. They will also state the monthly compensation of the teachers, specifying how many receive the different sums that may be found to be paid; thus, the number receiving $8.00 per month; the number receiving $10.00, &c. and arranging them according to the sex of the teachThey will ascertain from the teachers respective. ly, the different portions of time they have kept any one school, and will communicate the result in a table, showing how many teachers have kept the same school one year, two years, three years, four years, five years, more than five and less than ten, and more than ten years.

ers

(2.) The course and extent of study pursued.-Under this head the report will state the following particu

lars:

Number of pupils in attendance at each time of visi

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to define words.

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use of globes.

engaged in other studies, specifying them and the number pursuing each study. (3.) They are to report the result of their observa. tions:

1st. In relation to the qualifications of the teachers generally.

2d. In relation to the mode of teaching adopted in the schools.

3d. In relation to their government and discipline. And they will notice gross irregularities or imperfections.

5. Condition of the School Houses.-They will state the number built of stone; those of brick; of wood framed, and of logs; also the number having but one room; those having two room's in which schools are kept, and those having three or more rooms; the number in good repair, and the number in bad or decaying condition. They will also state the number which have no privies; those which have one; and those which have two or more.

5. Condition of the District.-Any information which may be obtained under the inquiries already suggested, and which may be deemed useful, or in respect to which any beneficial action of this department can be had, will be stated in this report.

6. The state of the district libraries--The county su perintendents are required to examine the library of each district, and ascertain the whole number of books purchased, and on hand, and their condition; and the average number in circulation, i. e. the proportion usually kept out. They will state in their reports, the whole number of books in all the district libraries in the county, and the average of circulation obtained from the averages of each district. They will state, generally, the condition of the books, as far as seen by them, and the degree of care and attention apparently bestowed in their preservation by the trustees and librarian. If they discover any improper books in the libraries, they should suggest to the trustees their removal; and if they find them continued, notwithstanding, they will report the facts to this department.

8. They will also report the whole number of persons to whom they have given certificates of qualification as teachers, during the year, specifying their sexes and ages, viz: those under 18-those over 18 and under 21 -over 21 and under 25-over 25 and under 30- over 30 and under 40-over 40 and under 50-and those over 50.

8 It will be perceived that trustees of school districts are required to state in their reports the number of select schools, other than those that are incorporated, within their respective districts, and the average number of pupils attending them. There are such schools in cities and villages, as in Utica, Schenectady, Poughkeepsie and other places, which are not within any school district. As the information desired has a very important bearing upon the common school system, the county superintendents are required to ascertain the number of such schools and the pupils taught in them during the year, which are kept in such cities and villages and are not included in any school district, and state them in their annual reports. They will be careful not to embrace any that are contained in the reports of the trustees; and to insure accuracy, they will specify the city or village in which the select schools are established. Those that are incorporated will be included in the reports to the Regents of the University. IV. The licensing of teachers and annull

ing their certificates.

1. Examining and licensing teachers.-This authority, it will be perceived, is given by sub. 2 of § 36, of the act of 1841, (No. 171.) It being very desirable that all the teachers should be licensed by the county superintendents, so as to secure the competent talent and know. ledge, and to produce uniformity in a county; and to afford every reasonable accommodation to those desiring to offer themselves, they should make their arrangements to examine applicants for licenses in the different towns of their county, during their visitations in such towns. For this purpose, they should appoint a particular day and place in each town, and when the town is very large, in different sectionsof it, when they

Number of pupils studying arithmetic, but not beyond will be in readiness to examine teachers. Public notice simple division.

of such appointment should be given. It is probable

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that this will bring together several applicants, and the allegations against him, when it is proposed to anthus diminish the labors of the superintendent: par-nal his certificate, particularly when the alleged ground ticularly as a license by him will obviate the neces is deficiency of moral character; and he should have sity of early examinations, as well as prevent the full opportunity afforded him for defence. The county necessity of a re-examination during the year. In superintendent may, at any time, examine any person making such examinations, they should confine them. holding a certificate, to ascertain his qualifications selves to the subjects specified in the statue in relation with respect to learning and ability: and a refusal to to town superintendents, § 46, (No. 57,) and should as- submit to such examination, would be, in itself, sufficertain the qualifications of the candidates in respect, cient evidence of incompetency, to justify the annull 1st, to moral character; 2d, learning; and third, ability, ing his certificate. First.-They should require testimonials of moral 2. The form of the instrument annulling the certifi character, from those acquainted with the applicant, cate, may be as follows: which should be either verbal or written, and the latter is to be preferred. This is not a matter to be neglected or slighted. Those to whom the training of our youth is to be committed, should possess such a character as will inspire confidence in the rectitude of their princiciples, and the propriety of their conduct and it is to be understood as a positive regulation of this depart ment, that no license is to be granted, without entire satisfaction on this point. This must be understood to relate to moral character-to the reputation of the applicants as good citizens, free from the reproach of crime or immoral conduct. It does not extend to their belief, religious or political; but it may apply to their manner of expressing such belief or maintaining it.If that manner is, in itself, boisterous and disorderly, intemperate and offensive, it may well be supposed to indicate ungoverned passions, or want of sound princi ples of conduct, which would render its possessor obnoxious to the inhabitants of the district, and unfit for the sacred duties of a teacher of youth who should instruc as well by example as by precept.

Second.-As to the learning of the applicants. It should appear from their examination that they are good spellers, distinct and accurate readers, write good and plain hands, can make pens, and are well versed ist. In the definition of words:

2d. In arithmetic, at least as far as the double rule of three:

3d. In geography, as far as contained in any of the works in ordinary use:

4th. In the History of the United States, of England, and of Europe generally:

5th. In the principles of English grammar: and, 6th. In the use of globes.

If they are found well acquainted with the other branches, a more slight knowledge of the 4th and 6th heads, as above enumerated, may be excused.

Third.-The ability of the applicants to teach. Mere learning, without the capacity to impart it, would be of no use. The deputies should satisfy themselves, by general inquiries, and particularly by a thorough examination of the applicants respectively, of their qualifications in this respect, of their tact in dealing with children, and especially of their possessing the unwea ried patience, and invariable good nature, so necessary to constitute useful teachers of youth.

Having satisfied themselves on these several points. the county superintendents will grant certificates of qualification in the following form:

Form of instrument annulling a certificate. To all to whom these presents may come. Whereas, on or about the day of certificate of qualification to teach Common Schools, was granted to A. B. by the [town superintendent of the in the county of town of ] or [by the County Superintendent of Common Schools of the said county of ] And whereas, on due examination and inquiry by the County Superintendent and the Town Superof the said county of intendent of the town of been found deficient and unqualified to teach Common Schools; Know ye, therefore, that we, the said County and Town Superintendents, do hereby annul and declare void the said certificate of qualification so given to the said A. B.

this

194

the said A. B. has

In witness whereof, we have hereunto set our hands,
day of
County Supt.
Town Supt.

4. A duplicate of this instrument should be served on the person whose certificate is annulled, although it will be valid without such service. It is not necessary to give notice of it to the trustees of the district where he may be employed, to render it effectual; but such notice should promptly be given, to prevent the loss Ly the district, of its portion of the public moneys, which would ensue from the employment of a teacher not holding a license.

5. The county superintendents are required, at the expiration of every three months, to state in a separate report to this department, the names of all persons whose certificates of qualification have been annulled by them, with the cause of such proceeding. In cases where it may be proper, such reports will be published in the District School Journal.

6. They are also required to keep a register of the names of all persons to whom they grant certificates of qualification, with the date of such certificate, and the town in which it was given; and also of the names of all persons whose certificates are annulled by then, with the date of the act and the general reasons therefor.

Their proceedings in relation to the granting or annulling of certificates are subject to appeal to the su perintendent, by any person deeming himself aggrieved.

V. Miscellaneous Duties.

Form of certificate of qualification to be grant- 1. County superintendents are undoubtedly withi ed by County Superintendents. the class of public officers required by the constitution TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, BE IT to take the oath of office. This oath should be filed KNOWN, That I, County Superintendent of Com-with the county clerk previous to the performance of mon Schools for the county of having examined any duty. A B. and having ascertained his qualifications in respect to moral character, learning, and ability to instruct a Common School, Do HEREBY CERTIFY, that he is duly qualified for that service, and accordingly he is hereby LICENSED to teach Common Schools, in any town and district of the said county, until this certificate shall be annulled according to law.

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County Superintendent.

It is conceived that § 93 (No. 142,) applies only to the certificates of qualification therein specified, viz: those granted by the town superintendents of common schools, and that, while such certificates are valid only for one year from their date, those granted by the county superintendents, not being thus restricted and limit ed by law, have full force and effect until they are revoked or annulled by competent authority.

2. Annulling certificates of teachers. 1. This can be done only by a county superintendent, with the consent of the town superintendent, when granted by such town superintendent, But a license granted by him, can be annulled only by him.

2. Previous notice should be given to the teacher of

2. Upon being duly qualified, they are directed to an nounce the fact to this department, stating their places of residence, and the post-offices to which communications intended for them should be addressed. They will also state the most practicable mode of transmit ting to them any books or packages.

3. It is recommended to them to assemble the teachers of neighboring districts, as often as may be, at convenient places, that they may communicate with him and each other, on the best modes of promoting the success of their schools. By comparing their views respecting the manner of teaching, the government of schools, and the various topics of practical duty, they will eventually derive much benefit. Indeed there is no subject on which more light may be thrown than on that of primary education, by full and free discussion; not for the purpose of maintaining preconceived opinions, but with the honest desire of improving by the experience and observation of others. And if permanent associations of teachers can be formed in each county, or where the county is large in different portions of it, they will not only promote the usefulness of the members, but will produce those feelings of reciprocal kindness and good will, which should belong to a profession of such importance, and enable them to preserve

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