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VOL. IV.

HARTFORD, JUNE 1, 1842.

EXTRACTS FROM RECENT SCHOOL DOCUMENTS IN OTHER STATES.

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special statutes,

$80,000 00 Amount raised from parents, &c. by rate or quarter bills, $483.479 54 Estimated salaries of County Superintendents, $30,000 00

Progress of the Common School System.

It is gratifying to be able to state, that during the past year, the most ample indications of the steady advancement and increasing efficiency of our common schools have been manifested.Public sentiment has co-operated with the Legislature and the department in demanding a more vigorous and thorough organization in the several districts-a higher grade of qualifications for teachers a more strict and general supervision of the schools-and an increased degree of attention to the external arrangements and internal details of the system.

Appointment of County Visitors in 1839.

By the 8th section of the act of 1839, relating to common schools, the Superintendent was authorized to "appoint such and so many persons as he shall, from time to time, deem necessary, to visit and examine into the condition of common schools in the county where such persons may reside, and report to the Superintendent on all such matters relating to the condition of such schools, and the means of improving them, as he shall prescribe." Under this provision, a board of visitors was organized in several of the counties of the State, and individual effort, voluntarily undertaken in others, with a view to the improvement and. elevation of the schools.

From the investigations thus instituted, it was apparent that notwithstanding the beneficial influences which were dispensed by the liberal appropriations from the public treasury, as well as

No: 12.

by the commendable exertions of individuals, the schools were languishing for want of a system. atic, constant and vigilant supervision. Their complete isolation from each other was also equally obvious; and frequent instances were discovered of the close proximity, for a series of years, of schools differing essentially from each other in their capacities for usefulness, and cach ignorant of the condition, wants or acquisitions of the others. The arrangements of the several districts, with respect to the location of their sites, the construction of their buildings, their internal accommodations, and the various conveniences appertaining to the school room, were found in general extremely defective, while there was a want of general interest in the progress of the sehools; and even the officers, whose special duty it was by law, periodically to visit and inspect them, had but partially and imperfectly complied with this requisition.

With a view to remedy these defects, and to invigorate the system in all its parts, the act of the last session was passed. Its most distinguishing feature was the institution of the office of deputy superintendent for each of the counties in the State.

County or Deputy Superintendent.

The functions devolved upon this officer are chiefly of a supervisory nature. He is required to act in conjunction with the officers of the several districts and towns; to advise and counsel with them in the discharge of their various du ties; to submit plans for the improvement and discipline of the schools and to visit and examine them as often as may be practicable; and the only positive powers conferred upon him are those connected with the examination and licens ing of teachers. He will thus be enabled judiciously to direct the efforts of inhabitants and officers of the districts in the organization and arrangement of their schools; to afford them material assistance in all that relates to the dis

charge of their arduous, responsible and often complicated duties; to place at the command of the schools, teachers of the proper grade of qualifications; recommend and secure the gradual adoption of an uniform series of text books; and to avail himself of all the improvements in modes of teaching, of government and discipline, which he may be able to discover within the bounds of his jurisdiction, or learn from a constant correspondence with his co-adjutors thro'out the State, and with the head of the depart

ment.

The several deputy superintendents have entered upon the discharge of the arduous and responsible duties devolved upon them, in a spirit and with a zeal and energy from which the most favorable results are confidently anticipated. The efficient co-operation of the inhabitants and offi

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