1848-1849 School Committee Report

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1 14 our common schools into High schools, and consequently, being overrun with studies, everything is pursued, and the proficiency cannot be so great as otherwise it might be, and, in some in- stances, the common branches suffer neglect. Now, we would not say aught against these extra studies ; some of them we consider as important as some of the regular studies, and others we could name as of equal value. In most of them, we should desire to see our youth proficient. The purpose we have in view is only to remark, that it is our duty to keep our common schools strictly to their design—a thorough education in the in- dispensable qualifications for the common pursuits of life. This is the first legitimate object, taking precedence of every other. Let any one, then, reflect upon the state of a school of sixty or seventy scholars, where all these studies are engaged in from day to day. Is it not apparent at once, that some of them are liable to suffer neglect? Are not those which are most common, and therefore least interesting, likely to give way before those of a higher grade ? We know such is the danger, not merely in large schools, but in the smaller ones. We wish to do entire justice to our teachers. They have labored assiduously, and successfully, but they have been too much burdened. The time which they could give to individual studies, has been altogether too little. But we find no fault. On the contrary, wonderful progress amidst such a multiplicity of studies has, in some in- stances, been attained. We are willing to share our part of the responsibility in this matter, because we have allowed these ex- tra studies ; but, in common with many others, we feel that great injury is thus done to our common schools. We have, from time to time, yielded to the pressure of circumstances, the demands of the times, the wishes of parents. Education has attained so high a standard, that it is inevitable such demands should exist. They are happy indications, too, of the progress of the community. We can have no wish to repress the ardor of youth, pressing on to the attainment of the largest amount of knowledge. Yet, it is a serious question, fraught with im- mense importance, whether the higher branches of study and the multitude of them shall be permitted so to crowd upon the more common, as seriously to affect the welfare of our schools ? We say emphatically, No ! We would urge it upon .11 4 15 our successors in office, to take a resolute, decided stand, in re- gard to this whole matter. We do not urge the discontinu- ance of any of the studies already engaged in, except in a few instances, but that the attention of teachers and scholars be di- rected first, and mainly, to the common branches—without which, no useful progress can be made in any; that we may have proficiency in them, whatever else is neglected ; and we solemnly invoke the direct acquiescence of parents in carrying out these views. But these suggestions do not meet the whole demands of the subject. We believe that these higher studies should be ex- cluded from our District Schools. They cannot be pursued there to the greatest advantage, even under the guidance of the most accomplished teachers. Still, they are important, and all the scholars in the various districts ought to have the opportunity, at a suitable time,—that is, when quaked,—to engage in them. We believe, therefore, that the time has come, when some revision of our school -system needs to be made, and the educa- tion of our youth placed on a proper basis. From the conversa- tion we have had with quite a number, in various parts of the town, it is evident, that the minds of our people are pre- pared, or are fast preparing, for a more complete system. The town has, with great unanimity and generosity, voted a large appropriation for our schools the ensuing year. This will be likely to place us almost at the head of the towns of the State, in this regard.* It would, we think, be inopportune to seek to do any thing more, the corning year, to overcome these difficulties, than what has been suggested. But a better system is eminently required. Time would be necessary, with great deliberation and care, to prepare one. Either one or two High Schools are called for by our present wants; and we deem it within the province of our duty,—as prescribed by the statute requiring this report, and any important recommendations,— * Lexington, in the school year 1845-46, stood, in regard to the amount of money appropriated, No. 17, in the county, and No. 39, in the State. In the school year 1846-7, it was No. 11, in the county, and No. 23, in the State. If we rose 16 higher in the State, by increasing our appropriation for schools $400, the additional appropriation, for the ensuing year, of $900, making the whole sum appropriated $2,500, ought to carry us to the head.