Ohio Observer - Hudson, Ohio February 24, 1847 4:3

LAWS & RES. PASSED by Ohio Legislature

To encourage Teachers Institutes.

Further to amend the act entitled an act for the support and better regulations of common schools and to create permanently the office of superintendent of common schools.

That no one may say this is a railing accusation the following extracts of letters received from different parts of the State are given.  One correspondent writes: Not more than one in ten of the teachers in this part of the State, is capable of teaching.  There are teachers employed who can not give the cost of 5 bushels of corn at 18 cents per bushel.  Another One-third of our teachers can not do the simplest sum in the single rule of three.  Another: AL was present at an examination of three applicants who where not able to spell one half of the words propounded.  Another Many parents in our neighborhood have withdrawn their children from the public school, in consequence of the incompetency of the teacher, we have not had for six years in any district of our township, a teacher qualified to teach reading, writing and arithmetic.  Another: There are not enough teachers of common schools in our county qualified.  One has been teaching four years, who cannot do half the sums in compound additions; and four whom I know cannot write nor spell as well as one half of the children under 12 years of age.  Another: Unless the character of our teachers can be improved, I would be willing that common school system should fail, as the money given to two out of every five teachers, does no good to community.

Ohio Observer - Hudson, Ohio March 17, 1847 3:6

A TEACHERS INSTITUTE

Will be held in Akron, commencing on the 22^d inst to continue two weeks.

It is expected to be attended by from one hundred to one hundred and fifty Teachers.  And the Executive committee of the Institute , hope that the citizens of Akron and vicinity will be prepared to open their doors and receive them as boarders during the Session. At as small a compensation as they consequently can.

Some members of the Committee will call upon the different families to make definite arrangements in behalf of the Committee.

H.K. Smith Sec.y

Akron, March 8^th 1847

Ohio Observer - Hudson, Ohio March 17, 1847  1:5

A THOUGHT FOR PARENTS AND TEACHERS

Moral government should be mild and affectionate, yet steady and uniform

In order to be efficient it is not necessary that discipline should be a fury brandishing her lash and frowning her subjects into trembling obedience.  Rather let it be conceived of as a benignant matron, wearing at once, the dignity of resolution and the smile of condescension. Firm in the execution of her purposes, there is little occasion for severity.  Her statue book is the law of God, her scepter the wand of love...

As blows and stripes brutalize and harden more than other punishments, let them if practical, be avoided. They appeal to mere corporal feeling, without that mixture of reflection and moral feeling which most other punishments, even of a corporal nature, tend to excite...

It is not contended that corporal punishment should be wholly abolished.  Sparingly, it may be employed with good effect.  The doctrine maintained is, that the subjects of moral education should be governed by the dread of it as little as possible.  Babington=s Practical View of Christian Education.

For instruction, I would have the Bible an indispensable daily reading book, to be read with the particular seriousness which is due to it as Gods own word and will.  It is my firm belief, the result of more than forty years observation, that to the daily and reverent use of the Bible in our in our common schools, as the inspired revelation of the will of God, we are more indebted for all that is valuable in New England character, than any source whatever.  It is my opinion that the rest of the instruction should be confined to what is practically useful in common life, such as reading, writing, common arithmetic, geography, common field surveying.

Ohio Observer - Hudson, Ohio March 24, 1847 3:1

THE WESTERN SCHOOL JOURNAL - We have seen the first no. Of this new monthly sheet, devoted to the promotion of education in the West.  It is edited by Aa graduate of one of our oldest and most celebrated colleges, who has, for several years, been a practical teacher.  It is published by W.H.Moore & Co. Cincinnati, on a beautiful quatro sheet of eight pages and will be sent without charge to teachers and all others specially interested in the cause of education. -  We are very favorably impressed with the appearance of the first number; and we do not doubt teachers and others will be interested and benefited by the perusal of the publication.

Ohio Observer - Hudson, Ohio  April 7, 1847 4:3

From the Cleveland Plain Dealer

County Superintendents of Common Schools

A law passed at the last session of our Legislature, providing for a county Superintendent for schools in all the counties on the Reserve.  He is to be elected by the township clerks on the first Friday in October, and is to be ex-officio chairman of the board of examiners, with power to grant, renew, or annul, the certificates of teachers.  He is to be paid such a salary from the county Treasury, as commissioners may think proper.  Certificates to teachers to be free of charge.

American Democrat - Akron, Ohio  April 15, 1847 pg 1: Richfield Academy summary of course study, 50 students attending, Thomas Ellsworth of Hudson listed as one of the trustees, The Rev. Horace Smith is on the executive committee.

American Democrat - Akron, Ohio April 15, 1847 pg 3, Reprint from Summit Beacon: M.D. Leggett and other educators from the Summit County Teachers Institute.  Leggett is listed as principle of the Farmington Academy, H.K. Smith as Secretary

Ohio Observer - Hudson, Ohio June 2, 1847 2:6

RELIGION AND EDUCATION

Religion is the best, and indeed, the only corrective of a defective education... Other things being equal the usefulness of Christians will be in proportion the excellence of their education.

AMERICAN DEMOCRAT - Akron,  August 19, 1847 - 2:7

“PROPOSALS will be received at the office of Lucius V. Bierce in Akron, until the 21^st instant, at noon, for the erection of two school houses in said village.  A plan and specifications can be seen by calling on J. Mathews.

J. Mathews                   Building Committee

W.H. Dewey                Akron, August 10, 1847

In the next weeks newspaper of August 26, the exact same article appears, with the date to receive proposals extended to the 28^th.

AMERICAN DEMOCRAT - Akron, Sept 9, 1847

THE FRIENDS OF EDUCATION in the several townships of Summit county, are requested to meet at the usual place of holding elections on Saturday the 18^th inst. At 4 o'clock P.M. and form themselves into an Educational Society, to be auxiliary to the county Educational Society...

Also, to appoint one Delegate (at least) from each School district, to attend a county convention to be held at Akron, at 11 o'clock A.M. of the 9^th of October, next.

Subjects affecting the interests of every person will be discussed, and answers delivered having a bearing upon the general subject of education.  A full attendance is most earnestly desired.

By order of the Secy.  H.K. Smith,

Corresponding Secretary   Akron, September 8, 1847

Ohio Observer - Hudson, Ohio September 1, 1847 - 3:5

TO THE TEACHERS OF COMMON SCHOOLS.

The Board of School Examiners for Summit Co. would give notice to all who hereafter intend to teach Common Schools in this county, that certificates will be granted only to those applicants who, in the opinion of the Board, have a thorough knowledge of the Elementary Sounds of our language and are able to utter them distinctly, when called upon to do so; of the principles of Reading, as found in our best text books, and ability to apply those principles to practice; of the Science of English Grammar, in its various departments, - of Arithmetic, in all its rules and principles, and facility to illustrate the same on the Black Board; of Mathematical, Physical and Political Geography, and ability to explain the various principles of each.

It will be expected that Teachers will know enough of History to state generally the social and political condition of the various countries of the Globe.

Teachers must be able to write in a fair and legible hand.

The Board will also demand that all who receive certificates be persons of good habits, respectable in their personal appearance, and that they posses good faculties for teaching all the above branches, judgment to classify and arrange, and ability to govern a school!

The above requisites will be closely adhered to in the examination of teachers for all grades of schools.

Private examinations of teachers are regarded by the Board as illegal, and will not therefore be given.

H.K. SMITH, Secry of the Board of School Examrs for Summit County.

Friends of Education; in the several townships of Summit county are requested to meet at the usual place of holding elections on Saturday, the 1^st inst. At 4 o'clock P.M. and form themselves into an Educational Society, to be an auxiliary to the County Educational Society. . .

Also to appoint one Delegate (at least) from each School District, to attend a County Convention to be held at Akron, at 11 o'clock A.M. of the 9^th day of October, next.

Subjects affecting the interests of every person will be discussed, and addresses delivered having a bearing upon the general subject of education. A full attendance is most earnestly desired. By order of the sec. H. K. Smith, corresponding sec.

American Democrat - Sept. 16, 1847 pg 3 cl 1,: A criticism of the Summit County Board of

Examiners by a local teacher Reprinted from the Summit Beacon.

    Mr. Editor - Sir: - From a notice in your paper, I learn that the Board of School Examiners for Summit county, have made qualifications, not in the Letter of the Law, prerequisites to the

granting of certificates to those who apply.

    Perhaps the community will tamely submit to such usurpation, and perhaps not.  If these men may thus set all law... then there is an end to all order in society, and soon, no one will be qualified to teach a district school, unless he has received a professional education - one that has had for its aim the business of teaching.  Will the people submit to such assumptions?  I think not.  If they do, they ought to be rode to their hearts content, by these few-fangled, literary tyrants.

    What are the people to do for teachers?  It is a well known fact, that very many of our teachers, who have heretofore been employed, cannot come up to the required standard, and hence many districts must do without schools. Very many districts too, will not employ a teacher who understands Grammar and Geography and as for History! The thing is insufferable. Who ever heard of such requirements for a teacher, who has nothing but backward scholars and little children to teach?  Where, I must ask, does the law require that the teacher should understand Grammar, Geography and History?  It can not be found.  What section of statute, declares that persons shall be  of respectable personal  appearance to entitle them to a certificate. The statute is silent on the subject.

Ohio Observer - Hudson, Ohio September 22, 1847 - 4:2

From the Summit Beacon [reprinted]

TO PARENTS

There is a notion very generally entertained by parents, that they have the right to employ... their children in such a manner as their own interests may dictate. When such parents give their children opportunity to attend school three or four days in a week for a few months, they seem to think they have done something for the children gratis, something not demanded by duty....

Every child has a right to such opportunities, and so much of his time as is necessary to thoroughly prepare him for the common business and higher enjoyments of life.

It is the business of society to furnish such opportunities, and of the parents to furnish the time and see that it is properly improved.  The good parent, the future welfare of the child, and the safety of society demand this at the parents hand.  The parent has no more right to take and otherwise appropriate, such time of his child, than he has to take it from his neighbors children.  Yet how common it is to keep children entirely from school, except a few weeks during the winter, when their help at home can be of no pecuniary benefit to the parent.  So short a time cannot so easily discharge his duty to his children.  The child must be in school enough to acquire that mental discipline, and substantial knowledge, necessary to protect and guide him through the thousand difficulties and dangers of life.

Ohio Observer - Hudson, Ohio October 14, 1847 3:4

SUMMIT COUNTY TEACHERS INSTITUTE

The second session of the Institute will commence on the 25^th inst. At 11 o'clock A.M.. At the Court House in Akron, and will continue two weeks....

Male Members of the Class will be expected to pay 50 cents each towards the incidental expenses of the Institute...

Ohio Observer - Hudson, Ohio  November 10, 1847 3:2

SUMMIT COUNTY TEACHERS INSTITUTE - SECOND SESSION.

The Institute closed a session of 12 days on the evening of the 5^th inst.  There were present 289 persons who have either taught, are teaching or are preparing to teach, and over 50 others who have no direct intention to teach, and yet attended for the purpose of receiving instruction.

Large numbers of Spectators were in daily attendance, thereby evincing the deep interest which the community takes in the progress of popular education.

Instruction was given to the Class, on the fundamental principles of the branches [curriculum] of Science usually taught in our Schools.  The clear and pointed manner in which every subject was presented, showed that our Instructors were masters of their subjects, and we doubt not that the impression made will be lasting and highly beneficial to all who listened to the instruction, and also to every scholar in the county.

Instruction was given in Orthography, Reading, Grammar, Geography, Arithmetic, Mental and Moral Philosophy, Civil Polity, Physiology and Music.

In addition to the regular exercises of the day, the evenings and the Sabbath were spent by the class in listening to 17 Lectures from different persons upon topics connected with the subjects of Education.

The Board of Instructors consisted of M.D. Leggett, of Akron; James Cowles, of Painsville; M.F. Cowdery, Kirtland; T.W. Harvey, Chardon; J.D. Taylor, Bath; and J. Hurty, of Mansfield.

The following among other resolutions were passed by the Institute.

Resolved, That we recommend that the several schools in each township, hold a public examination some time in February next; that for this purpose, all the schools assemble at some convenient and central point, and in the presence of all the schools, each teacher examine his or her school, and that such other exercises be had, as shall give interest to the occasion.

Resolved, That we recommend that petitions be circulated, asking the Legislature of this State, to create the office of County Superintendent of Common Schools, in Summit County; with such a salary, as shall secure the services of a person, in every respect, qualified to discharge the duties devolved upon him.

Resolved, That we petition the Legislature, to so amend the School Law of the State, as to give the County Examiners power to annul certificates, if they ascertain that persons holding them are in any way disqualified for the discharge of the duties of Teachers.

The following Resolution was presented and was not sustained. Whereas in the opinion of this Institute, the School Examiners of this County require Teachers qualifications which the interests of the community do not demand, and which are not required by Law, therefore

Resolved, That the members of this Institute will use their influence with the Judges of the Court to have them removed.

Ohio Observer - Hudson, Ohio November 17, 1847  3:1

TO TEACHERS IN OHIO - A Teachers Institute held in Ashland, Ashland Co., Chardon, Geauga Co., and Akron Summit Co. In October and November, 1847; ...[list of names appear again as signers of this notice.], were appointed a committee to take into consideration the propriety of forming a STATE TEACHERS ASSOCIATION, and to fix upon the time and place for organizing the same.

The undersigned, a majority of said Committee assembled at Akron, and have resolved that it is expedient to hold a convention at AKRON, Summit County, on the evening of the 31st of December next, for the purpose of organizing a State Teachers Association.

It is hoped that Teachers in Ohio, feeling an interest in their profession, and the improvement of the Schools of our State, will be present and assist in the organization of the Association, and afterwards in promoting its interest.

There will be an Address before the Convention on the evening of the 30^th of December.

Educational and political papers in Ohio are requested to insert the above notice.

[signed by] M.F. Cowdery, W. Bowen, Josiah Hurty, Thos. W. Harvey, L. Andrews, M.D. Leggett, Akron November 5^th, 1847.]