A history of public education in Rhode Island, from 1636 to 1876 ... Comp. by authority of the Board of education, and ed. by Thomas B. Stockwell ...

344 CHARLESTOWN.
IMPROVEMENT AND PRESENT CONDITION.
About forty-eight years ago, the public school system was established
in the State of Rhode Island. It was truly the beginning of a new era
of educational improvements; and the State, like a living body which
is sensitive in every member, was touched by the noble and generous
act, in all its sub-divisions. Indeed, literary interests were perceptibly
awakened in the minds of the people; and, from that period onward,
education has been steadily advancing in the direction of both a higher
and a broader culture. The establishment of the permanent school fund
and public schools, gave life and vitality to the cause of education, and
incited the people to a more united and determined effort, to give better
means of instruction to the rising generation. A few soul-inspiring
men, faithful servants of a worthy cause, have taken hold of this
National work, and have carried it forward to its present condition.
The broad foundation of our common schools is favorably fixed, and,
with wise legislation and prudent management, improvements will be
made as long as time and necessity demand them. The common school
is the place where a child should be taught the moral as well as the
literary lessons of public life, for morality and learning are indispensable to a nation's success. Charlestown has now resident teachers
enough to supply all her schools, and about fifty per cent. of them,
have attended State Normal schools. The average length of schools
for the year, is little more that eight months, showing quite a contrast
in comparison with the school-year of one half century ago. The present
advanced condition has been reached mainly through the activity and
perseverance of the school committee.
School Supervision.-The school committee which appointed the first
town superintendent were elected in April, 1871, and organized soon
after by electing Samuel B. Hoxie, chairman; B. F. Greenman, clerk,
and Dr. A. A. Saunders, superintendent. The employment of a person
to thoroughly inspect the schools, and to direct and assist the teachers
in their daily labors, was an important step in educational progress.
School supervision is the foundation on which the whole system of popular instruction rests. Unquestionably, what is most needed by our
public schools, and what is most essential to their efficiency, is a constant. thorough and impartial supervision. I believe that the more
direct and frequent this oversight is, when judiciously exerted, the more
satisfactory will be the results.
Evening Schools.-At Carolina Mills, an evening school taught by
Messrs. Tanner, Holden, and Collins, has been in successful operation