REPORT
OF THE
SUPERINTENDENT
OF
PUBLIC INSTRUCTION
(Ernest W. Butterfield)
BEING THE
SIXTIETH REPORT UPON THE PUBLIC
SCHOOLS OF NEW HAMPSHIRE
___________________
CONCORD.
1918.
(P. 5)
INTRODUCTION
Dr. Henry C. Morrison, for thirteen years state superintendent, closed his work in New Hampshire in November, 1917, to become assistant secretary of the State Board of Education in Connecticut. Ernest W. Butterfield, deputy state superintendent, was appointed to the vacant position and assumed the duties of the office on November 21. James N. Pringle, superintendent of schools in Portsmouth, was appointed deputy state superintendent and entered upon his duties on January 15, 1918.
The present membership of the department is as follows:
Ernest W. Butterfield, State Superintendent
Miss Harriet L. Huntress, Deputy State Superintendent
George H. Whitcher, Deputy State Superintendent
James N. Pringle, Deputy State Superintendent
(P. 112)
CHAPTER IV.
TEACHERS
(Note: Where comments relate only to Plymouth, they have been omitted.)
In this chapter will be discussed the work of the state normal schools, the quality of the present teaching force in New Hampshire schools, the examination and certification of teachers and the work of the teachers’ employment bureau.
Section 1. The State Normal Schools.
During the biennium the work of the two normal schools has been carefully inspected twice by Harry A. Brown, while director of the New Hampshire Bureau of Research, twice by Superintendent Henry C. Morrison and once by the present superintendent of public instruction. The records of the inspections were carefully prepared and are on file at the offices of the department. The work of the schools has also been studied by the inspection of schools taught by graduates of the two institutions.
On the whole the records tell a consistent story of high-class work done by competent teachers.
Quality and Quantity of the Students.
The inspectors have been impressed with the high quality of our normal school students. The appearance of careless frivolity, frequently seen at academic institutions, is nowhere in evidence but the girls are seriously and happily engaged, with indications that they realize that they are preparing for a work of service.
At Keene, the growth has been regular and is an encouraging feature, although the enrollment of girls from the home city has not met expectations. As has been pointed out in former reports, the parts of the state from the schools send few students
(P. 113)
Our two normal schools are reaching their normal capacity, and yet there is an urgent need that the supply of trained teachers for New Hampshire be largely increased. This can only be done by additional normal schools and with the close of the war the state should plan to solve this problem.
What is believed to be war service in many highly advertised forms called in 1917-18 so many teachers from their schools that a shortage of teachers was foreseen and plans made to increase the enrollment in our normal schools. These plans were partly successful. Those which were most successful were the ones which enlisted the services of the headmasters in personal work with their seniors and graduates. It is found that most high school masters and teachers had little conception of the work of normal schools or of the responsibility of the schools in preparing girls for positions of service but were urging girls to college as a school record.
Extended Courses.
With the advent of the junior high school, it became necessary to add to the normal school program a three-year course to give full preparation for the teaching of junior high school subjects. This plan has but in part met the need, as the demand for equipped junior high school teachers has far exceeded the supply and, accordingly, in the summer of 1918 two new courses were added. The New Hampshire junior high schools now call for sixty teachers of the domestic arts. The spring of 1918 brought changes in all but twenty of these positions and thirty-five new teachers were demanded. New Hampshire College had a class of nine and all were engaged, but New Hampshire then had to go to other states to obtain the remaining twenty-six.
Accordingly, the trustees established at both normal schools a three-year course in the subject, with the expectation that we shall be able in time to prepare our own girls for New Hampshire positions
(P. 114)
A similar case existed in the preparation of teachers of commerce. None are prepared in New Hampshire and we must go to other states for our supply. War needs called to clerical positions so many commerce teachers that some positions could not be filled even by half-competent teachers. The established normal school courses are three years in extent and will probably meet this need. It is interesting to note that a careful study shows that most of the students who enrolled in the new courses would not otherwise have gone to the normal schools. Instead of decreasing the enrollment in the regular classes, we have drawn from a new supply.
It has been said that this is a step toward preparing high school teachers in all subjects at normal school instead of looking to the colleges for our supply. It is possible that this may be the result but, if so, it is not a condition to be looked forward to with apprehension. Experience has amply shown that the teaching atmosphere which is pervaded with professional spirit cannot exist when teaching courses are a mere adjunct to academic instruction. The few colleges which have established a real division of education and professional equipment are the only ones which have met uniform success in training teachers.
Summer School.
For economic administration, it has been decided to unite the two schools in a single summer session. In 1918 this was held at Keene. In addition to the regular work short courses in method were given for the first time to taught but untrained high school teachers. These were given in several subjects by the most efficient teachers in the state high schools. The classes were well attended and will be repeated.
(P. 115)
In addition a class in rural school technique was formed of teachers without experience or regular preparation for teaching, and a short course of instruction was given to all teachers in agriculture. For teachers of adult foreigners in evening classes, a well attended and highly successful short course of instruction was given.
Positions for Graduates.
For some years the demand for New Hampshire normal school graduates has been such that none have been without positions. A recent study shows that the entire class of 1918 was quickly engaged at salaries varying from twelve to eighteen dollars per week, with the average well above fifteen dollars.
Buildings.
At Keene there is immediate need of an additional dormitory. An effort should be made without delay to secure an appropriation for its construction.
GOVERNMENT
The government of the state normal schools is vested in a Board of Trustees consisting of the governor and the superintendent of public instruction, ex-officio, and five members appointed by the Governor and Council for terms of five years each. During the biennium the board has consisted of:
His Excellency Rolland H. Spaulding, July 16, 1916, to January, 1917.
His Excellency Henry W. Keyes, January, 1917, to August 31, 1918.
Henry C. Morrison, July 16, 1916, to December, 1917.
Ernest W. Butterfield, December, 1917, to August 31, 1918.
James H. Fassett, July 16, 1916, to August 31, 1918.
Frank H. Foster, July 16, 1916, to August 31, 1918.
George H. Whitcher, July 16, 1916, to August 31, 1918.
True L. Norris, July 16, 1916, to February, 1918
Charles W. Vaughan, July 16, 1916, to August 31, 1918.
Inez F. Nason, February, 1916 to August 31, 1918.
(P. 119)
TERMS OF ADMISSION AND GRADUATION
Students are admitted to the regular two-year course who are graduates of first-class secondary schools approved as such by this office, or of equivalent institutions.
Students are admitted in September only.
Students who have fulfilled the requirements of the several courses are granted the diploma of the school.
COMMENCEMENT AND CLOSE OF SESSIONS
(P. 120)
Keene.
1916-17 September 19. Opening of fall term.
December 22 to January 8. Christmas Vacation.
February 4. End of fall term.
February 5. Opening of spring tem.
February 28 to March 8.. Vacation.
June 21. Commencement.
July 10 to August 17. Summer term
1917-18 September 13. Opening of fall term.
December 19 to January 3. Christmas vacation.
January 25. End of fall term.
January 28. Opening of spring term.
February 21 to March 5. Spring Vacation.
June 19. Commencement.
July 9 to August 16. Summer term
APPENDIX
(P. 91)
ADDENDUM
March 31, 1919
Delays in the printing of this report have made it possible to insert here a statement of educational laws enacted by the General Court on 1919. If these laws are carefully studied in the light of the conditions and recommendations, it will be seen that the state has made a notable advance in educational legislation.
(P. 92)
In four noteworthy particulars this reorganization of the New Hampshire educational system is worthy of study:
I. Americanization. It makes Americanization effective as “an essential part of public school education.” (teaching English to non-English-speaking adults)
II. Standardization. It sets definite minimum standards for all elementary schools.
III. Equalization. It establishes the position that the state is an educational unit interested in the equalization of educational opportunities for all children.
IV. Public Education a Business. It makes effective its plans by treating education as a business proposition. It creates a state board with large powers, those of the directors of the ordinary business corporation. It unites the work now done by the superintendent of public instruction, by the trustees of the state normal schools, by the state board for vocational education and by the committee on Americanization, and provides for a commissioner of education and other executive officers of the board.
(excerpts of this act appear on the next page.)
(P. 93)
STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE
IN THE YEAR OF OUR LORD ONE THOUSAND NINE HUNDRED AND NINETEEN
AN ACT
In Amendment of the Laws Relating to the Public Schools and Establishing a State Board of Education.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court convened:
Section 1. A board to be designated as the State Board of Education, consisting of five members, in addition to the governor as member ex officio, is hereby created. The members, not more than three of whom shall belong to the same political party, shall not be technical educators nor professionally engaged in school work, but public spirited and interested citizens willing to serve the state without pay and to give the time necessary for an understanding of the educational needs of the state, and of the best way to supply them.
SECT. 2. The board shall be appointed by the governor and council on or before May 1, 1919. The members of the board first appointed shall hold office until the 31st day of January, 1920, 1921, 1922, 1923 and 1924, respectively. The governor and council shall annually on or before the 31st day of January appoint one member of said board whose term of office shall be five years, and at the same time the governor shall name one member of the board as its chairman, who shall serve for one year and until his successor is appointed.
(P. 94)
SECT. 3. The governor and council may, after notice and hearing, remove a member… and they shall appoint a competent person to fill the unexpired term.
SECT. 4. The office of said board shall be in the state house or as otherwise provided by the state. Said board shall annually hold at least six regular meetings, and shall hold such special meetings as required for the performance of its duties….
SECT. 5. (1) The state board shall have the same powers of management, supervision and direction over all public schools in the state as the directors of the ordinary business corporation have over the business of the corporation, except as its powers and duties may be limited by law….
(P. 95)
(2) The state board may also make the regulations necessary to enable the state to comply with the provisions of any law of the United States intended to promote vocational or other education, to abolish illiteracy and Americanize immigrants, to equalize educational opportunities, to promote physical health and recreation, and to provide an adequate supply of qualified teachers….
(3) The state board shall prescribe the qualifications and duties of the deputy commissioners provided by section 7 of this act, of all superintendents and assistant superintendents and teachers employed in the public schools, the subjects required to be taught and the minimum standards for all grades of the public schools….
SECT. 6. The state board shall employ a skilled executive officer who shall have had training and experience in educational work. Such person shall be the chief executive officer of said board and shall be its secretary, and shall be called the commissioner of education.
SECT. 7. The state board, upon nomination of the commissioner, shall appoint four deputy commissioners of education….
(P. 96)
SECT. 8. The state board shall exercise the powers and perform the duties now exercised and performed by the superintendent of public instruction, the trustees of the state normal schools, the state board for vocational education, and shall take over the business of the above named officers and boards. In order that there may be no interruption in the work of these departments, the officers and employees of the department of public instruction, of the trustees of the state normal schools and of the state board for vocational education shall be the officers and employees of the state board until otherwise ordered.
SECT. 9. The state board, through the commissioner of education acting as the executive officer of the board shall, in addition to the duties now performed by the above named boards and departments
(1) Combine the several school districts in the state into supervisory unions consisting of one or more school districts. In forming the unions it shall continue the unions formed under provisions of Laws of 1899, chapter 77, when that is the reasonable thing to do….
(2) Supervise the expenditure of all moneys appropriated under this act or otherwise, and inspect all institutions in which or by which such moneys are used.
(3) Prepare a budget for such expenditures, give to the public information as to the educational conditions in different parts of the state and the opportunities open to pupils in the public schools….
(P. 97)
(4) Establish standard elementary schools in unorganized parts of the state, or furnish tuition and board or tuition and transportation at the expense of the state at some suitable school for all children residing in such places….
(5) Certify to the state treasurer, as soon as may be after September first in each year, the number of pupils enrolled in the public schools for the year ending August 31….
(6) Make a report to the legislature and file it with the secretary of state on or before December 1, 1920, and every second year thereafter, showing in detail the conditions and progress of all educational work….
(7) Upon consultation with the local school boards in each of the said supervisory unions and upon the nomination by said school boards of a suitable and competent person, the state board shall employ such person as superintendent. The state board may employ by the same method one or more assistant superintendents….
(8) The state board shall fix the salary or salaries of the superintendent and assistant superintendents for the supervisory unions, but any union may add such sum as it sees fit.
(P. 98)
(9) Employ as many supervisors, inspectors, stenographers, accountants, clerks and agents as may be necessary….
(10) Hold conferences from time to time with superintendents and teachers…for the purpose of inspiring mutual cooperation in the carrying out of their work and of unifying educational aims and practices.
(11) Prepare, publish and distribute such school programs, outlines of work and courses of study as will best promote the educational interests of the state.
(12) May employ a competent person or persons to examine and care for the health of students….
SECT. 10. Each school district in the state shall pay to the state treasurer on or before December 1 in each year, as its share of the expense incident to state-wide supervision of the public schools, a sum equal to two dollars for each child residing in the district who was enrolled in the public schools in the last preceding school year, and the selectmen shall annually assess upon the value of the ratable estate of the district a sum sufficient for this purpose.
(P. 99)
SECT. 11. The school boards of the several districts forming a supervisory union shall organize …for the purpose of nominating a superintendent or assistant superintendent and to determine if they will increase the salary….
SECT. 12. Superintendents shall nominate and school boards elect all teachers employed in their union. Superintendents shall direct and supervise the work of these teachers and for cause may remove a teacher or other employee of the district, subject, however, to the right of the person removed to appeal to the commissioner of education….
(P. 100)
SECT. 13. In the instruction in all schools, including private schools,…the English language shall be used exclusively….
SECT. 14. Every person between sixteen and twenty-one years of age who cannot read and speak English understandingly shall…attend an evening or special day school…until he or she has completed the minimum course of studies prescribed by the state board.
SECT. 15. Any school district may maintain an evening school as part of its public school system, and every district in which reside or are employed fifteen or more persons between the ages of sixteen and twenty-one years who cannot read or speak the English language understandingly shall maintain an evening or special day school….
(P. 101)
SECT. 16. Every school district in which reside or are employed twenty or more persons above the age of twenty-one years who cannot read or speak the English language understandingly shall maintain schools for the instruction of such non-English-speaking persons….
SECT. 17. No person or corporation shall, after October 1, 1919, employ a person between sixteen and twenty-one years of age who resides in or is employed in a district maintaining an evening or special day school…who cannot read and speak English understandingly, unless he or it procures…a certificate of the superintendent…showing that he or she is enrolled in such…schools….
SECT. 18. It shall be the duty of superintendents to issue such certificates and revoke them for cause in the proper cases….
SECT. 19. Such a certificate shall protect an employer from the date it is issued until the end of the current school year unless sooner revoked by the superintendent….
SECT. 20 Amend Public Statutes, chapter 92,… so that it will read:…The school board of every district shall provide standard elementary schools for at least thirty-six weeks in each year…. The district shall furnish transportation to all pupils below the ninth grade who live more than two miles from the school to which they are assigned
SECT. 21. Amend Public Statutes, chapter 88, … so that it will read:….The selectmen in each town shall assess an annual tax of three dollars and fifty cents on each thousand dollars of the value of the ratable estate taxable therein for the support of the public schools….The school board of each district in its annual report shall state in detail the additional sums of money, if any, which will be required during the ensuing fiscal year for the support of the public schools….
(The rest includes definitions and appropriations.)