"Allow me to say, then, that we have no wild schemes, no visionary ideas; no patent plans to urge and support. We do not believe that our Schools can be converted into Colleges, or that any railroad can be built whereon our children may be propelled by steam through the vast fields of knowledge. We hold the same views that every thoughtful and judicious man would hold, were all aquainted with the condition of the Schools as we are, or had given as much attention to the subject of education as it has been our duty to give.
We simply wish that the theory which all admit in regard to our schools, should be reduced to practice. This theory is, that our Public Schools should furnish our children with thorough instruction in the rudiments of a good English education; i.e., that in them all our children should be taught to read well, write neatly, spell correctly, and obtain as much knowledge of geography, and grammar, and arithmetic, as is necessary to fit them to be intelligent and useful citizens.
The theory also requires that the higher branches should be taught to the comparatively few scholars whose parents desire it, and of course implies that the school rooms should be sufficient in number, convenient in location, well ventilated, and in other respects comfortable, furnished with all the necessary apparatus for teaching, supplied with competent teachers, adequately paid, and under the supervision of men interested in the cause of education, and earnest to be diligent and faithful.
Such is the theory. Is there anything extravagant in it, if our Common School system is to be anything but a name and a cheat? There can be but one answer. It is, then, for the good of all, that our Schools, where now they do not, should be made, as speedily as possible, to conform to his theory. To invite your attention and awaken inquiry, to give subjects for deep thought and efficient action, is the object of this Report."
[Introduction to the Annual Report of the Superintendent of Common Schools for Hillsborough Township, Dr. C.C. Hoagland, 1852]
We simply wish that the theory which all admit in regard to our schools, should be reduced to practice. This theory is, that our Public Schools should furnish our children with thorough instruction in the rudiments of a good English education; i.e., that in them all our children should be taught to read well, write neatly, spell correctly, and obtain as much knowledge of geography, and grammar, and arithmetic, as is necessary to fit them to be intelligent and useful citizens.
The theory also requires that the higher branches should be taught to the comparatively few scholars whose parents desire it, and of course implies that the school rooms should be sufficient in number, convenient in location, well ventilated, and in other respects comfortable, furnished with all the necessary apparatus for teaching, supplied with competent teachers, adequately paid, and under the supervision of men interested in the cause of education, and earnest to be diligent and faithful.
Such is the theory. Is there anything extravagant in it, if our Common School system is to be anything but a name and a cheat? There can be but one answer. It is, then, for the good of all, that our Schools, where now they do not, should be made, as speedily as possible, to conform to his theory. To invite your attention and awaken inquiry, to give subjects for deep thought and efficient action, is the object of this Report."
[Introduction to the Annual Report of the Superintendent of Common Schools for Hillsborough Township, Dr. C.C. Hoagland, 1852]
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