STATE OF NEW-YORK.
No. 49.
IN SENATE,
March 23, 1845,
REPORT
Of the select committee appointed to enquire into the
condition and operation of the Normal School.
The select committee appointed ‘to enquire into the condition and
operation of the Normal School; and report as to the expediency of
continuing the same,
REPORT:
That the Normal School was established by an act of the Legis-
lature, passed May 7, 1844; that there was appropriated by the act,
for that purpose, the sum of nine thousand six hundred dollars, from
“that portion of the avails of the Literature Fund appropriated to the
support.of academical departments for the instruction of teachers of
common schools—the object: being. the instruction. and practice of
teachers of common schools in the science of education and in the art
of teaching. . The school, -by the said act, was to‘be under the su-
pervision, management and government of the Superintendent of Com-
mon Schools, and the Regents of the University. » It was further pro-
vided, by the said act, that. the sum of ten thousand dollars,. should
be, annually, paid to the Superintendent of Common’ Schools, from
Lsits No. 49.] ee : [u. m. & 10.)
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the revenue of-the Literature Fund, for the maintenance and support
of the said school, for five years, and until otherwise directed by
Jaw.
Your committee further report, that under the provisions of the act
of 1844, a Normal School was established in the city of Albany, in
a building hired for that purpose, the ease for which will expe a
the first day of August, 1849.
On enquiry, your committee have ascertained that the Normal
School commenced its operations under the act referred to, on the
18th day of December, 1844, withtwenty-nine pupils; that the num-
ber of pupils, attending the school, has steadily increased from that
time, and that there are now over two hundred, from all parts of the.
State, receiving instruction at the school. At the opening of the
school, before its advantages could be understood, there was some
difficulty in obtaining scholars... It was found necessary, as an in-
ducement to enter the school, to make an allowance of $1.25 for fe-
males and of $1.00 per week to males; at present, and for some time
past, the only allowance made, -is for,travelling, and the highest sum -
paid for that purpose is $13.44.
Your committee have ascertained that 537 persoris, male and fe-
male, have already enjoyed, for a longer or shorter period, the ad-
vantages. of the school; that, of that number, 401, have, since leay-
ing the institution, taught in the common schools, and it is believed,
from the best information that can be had, that 421 of the-Normal
School ‘scholars are now actually employed, as instructors in the
common schools; and that, with few exceptions, they give entire sat-
isfaction, as teachers; this has been effected, at the cost, for each stu-
dent, of $71.25. .
Your-committee are of pinion that the Normal School, as at pre-
sent-organized: and managed, will be of great utility to the State,
‘It is placed by law where it ought to remain, under the supervision
of the Superintendent of Common Schools and the Regents: of the
‘University. These -gentlemen, ‘distinguished for their ability and
learning, and devoted to the:cause of education; have bestowed great
attention on the school, in adapting it to ‘the’ purposes ‘for which it
was designed. They have employed competent teachers, both male
and female, who instruct the pupils in ‘the different branches of knowl-
edge, with commendable diligence: and great success. Many of the
teachers, now employed, are, as we are informed, persons who have
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No. 49. 3
received. instruction. at the Normal School. Your committee cannot
speak, in terms too. high, of the regularity and. order observable in.
every. department.of the school. of the propriety of deportment in,the
scholars, nor of the progress they make in all the branches of learn- ”
ing required. for common.school teachers.
‘We have, occasionally, visited the school, and from what we can:
observe, and learn from others, having a more particular acquaintance
with its operations and results, we-are of opinion that the utility of °
the school has been sufficiently tested, and that the State should make
it a permanent establishment.
Tn the success of our common school’ system of education, the peo-
ple of this State have a-deep’ interest. The desire for knowledge
pervades the country, and no reasonable expense should: be spared or
exertions omitted, to furnish to the rising generation, the means of a
cheap, efficacious and general instruction; aside fromthe duty resting
upon all to cultivate the mind and'imbue it with useful knowledge,
there are peculiar obligations devolved upon free governments in this
particular; ‘a nation to be free must be enlightened. Ignorance is'a
sure foundation upon which despotism establishes and perpetuates its
power. To give instruction to the masses, therefore, is not only a
moral, but'a high political duty. That State, which, having the
ability to do so, shall neglect to. provide for the general instruction
_ of:its youth, is properly chargeable- with a want of regard to the
highest duty it owes to itself. .
Bat it is not sufficient merely to’ establish: school for general -in-
struction; they must be conducted on ap approved system, and-by
_competent teachers. To instruct others successfully, teachers must. be,
“themselves, well instructed; nor is mere. knowledge. in, any particular
branch of learning, the only requisite for. a teacher; he must have the
ability to. impart “his. knowledge. in the most efficacious’ way,, to his,
pupils. He must be governed by some system which has been found,
by experience, to be effectual; a well digested plan of education,
with regularity and order in their management, will be. found to be
necessary. in giving to. our common schools their greatest utility.
. The Normal School, in these respects, will be found to be of the
greatest importance; the scholars are there instructed on a well di-|
gésted and approved’ system; the greatest order and regularity are
strictly enjoined and exiforced;. instruction, in all the branches taught,
and they are many and important, ig minute and thorough; and each
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scholar, at the end of his term, leaves the institution, not only well
instructed, but, in every respect, properly qualified to.take immedi-
ate charge of a common school, where he will introduce the plan of
instructiow’ under which he was formed, at the State institution. Not
only will he be useful to the particular school in which he may hap-
pen to teach, but he will exert a salutary influence on all the schools
in his immediate vicinity; they will necessarily adopt his plan ef in-
struction, and uniformity will ‘be, in some measure, secured through-
‘out the neighboring schools. This result has already been made
manifest, but, of course, to a limited extent, i in various parts of the
State. .
" Your committee are of opinion, that if the State shall continue to
foster the Normal School, and take upon itself to provide, as far as
is practicable, well instructed and competent teachers for the common
* ‘schools, the effect will be to give more importance to those elemen-
tary and humble, -but useful seminaries of learning. They will rise
. in public estimation, in proportion to the learning, ability, and. com-
petency of those who haye them in charge;.and when it is consid-_,
ered that the foundations of future usefulness are laid in the early
stages. of life, too much attention cannot be bestowed in furnishing
to the youthful aspirant after knowledge, such instructors’ as will
watch over his habits, and give, both to his‘mind and his,heart, a
proper direction. There is no business or profession more useful than
that of teaching, and if, at any time, it has not been held in high es-
’ timation, it has been because its importance has not been understood.
To give to it dignity and consequence is the surest means of estab-
lishing and’ extending its usefulness,
‘Your committee, impressed*with the importance’ of the subject, re-
commend that the Normal School be permanently established.at the °
seat of government; where it will be subject to visitation by the mem- *
bers of the Legislatare, and that it be continued under the supervi-
sion and management of the Superintendent of Common Schools and
the Regents of the University. The access to the. seat of govern-
ernment will be as easy as to any other place in the State; and when
* it is considered, that the Superintendent of Common Schools, afd a
quorum of the Regents of the University, reside there, that place
would seem to be indicated as the proper one for the permanent loca~
tion of the school. Should the location be changed, it would become
_necessary to form a new board of managers, composed of inexperi-
enced men, and some considerable time must, necessarily, elapse be-
fore they will be ‘competent to supervise and manage the institu-
tion.
No49] 5
The committee are informed that the State owns an unoccupied lot ~
in the city of Albany, of suitable location and dimensions for the
building, and which may be appropriated to that purpose without
detriment to any public interest; and for the purpose of erecting there-
on a suitable edifice, they recommend the appropriation of the sum
of . dollars, and also that the annual
appropriation made by the act of 1844, be continued.
Your committee have prepared a bill, im conformity with the views
above stated, which they ask leave to present to the Senate.
SAMUEL J. WILKIN, Chairman. ~
D. H. LITTLE,
W. M. HAWLEY.
Senate Camper,
March 23, 1848. ;
