The New Hampshire State Normal School was founded in Plymouth in 1871. By 1905, Concord, Manchester, Nashua and Portsmouth had their own teacher training schools, but all of these together were providing about 80 graduates per year, while the school districts of the state needed about 350 teachers per year. Most of the teachers hired were inexperienced. The New Hampshire State Teachers’ Association adopted a “Declaration of Principles” in 1905, and a resolution in 1906, each calling for more normal schools to meet the demand for teachers trained to a set of standards, or norms.
DECLARATION OF PRINCIPLES OF THE NEW HAMPSHIRE STATE TEACHERS’ ASSOCIATION ADOPTED AT THE FIFTY-SECOND ANNUAL MEETING, 1905
We, the teachers of New Hampshire, in convention assembled, do make the following Declaration of Principles:
I. The constant advancement in all educational lines throughout the nation demands ever increasing qualifications on the part of teachers. Success in teaching therefore demands higher professional training, and such training deserves and should receive compensation commensurate with the increased qualifications.
II. The highest purpose in education is character building, the making of men and women who shall be citizens worthy in every way to help direct the destinies of the nation. This truth places obligations upon teachers and school authorities alike and should receive constantly increasing attention.
III. We believe that one normal school is absolutely inadequate to meet the ever increasing demand for trained teachers in this state, and we urge upon the law-making body of the state the immediate necessity of increased facilities in this line as being greater than that of any other objects for which special legislative appropriations are being sought….