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 ...

FIRST RESULTS. 61
as agent, for the purposes hereaftermentioned, at a reasonable compensation for
his services.
" SEC. 2. The said agent shallvisit and examine the respective public schools
in this State; ascertain the length of time each district school is kept, and at
what season of the year; the qualifications of the respective teachers of said
schools-the mode of instruction therein-collect information of the actual condition and efficiency of our public schools and other means of popular education: and diffuse as widely as possible among the people, a knowledge of the
most approved and successful methods of arranging the studies and conducting
the education of the young, to the end that the children of this State who cepend upon common schools for instruction, may have the best education that
those schools may be made to impart; and shall make a report to the legislature, with such observations and reflections as experience may suggest, upon
the condition and efficiency of our system of popular education, and the most
practicable means of improving the same.
"SEC. 3. It shall be the duty of the preceptors of the public schools in the
respective districts in this State, from time to time, to furnish said agent with
all the information he may require, in order to enable him to carry out the provisions of this act.
"Passed October Session, 1843.
"HENRY BOWEN,, Secretary."
This act was promptly promulgated by the Governor of the State,
with the following circular:
" T TO TE PEOPLE OF RIODE ISLAND.
"In pursuance of An Act'to provide for ascertaining the condition of the
public schools of this State, and for the improvement and better management
thereof,' I have secured the services of Henry Barnard, who has had several
years experience in the discharge of similar duties in a neighboring State, and
has observed the working of various systems of public instruction in this
country and in Europe.
Mr. Barnard will enter immediately on the duties of his office. His great
object will be to collect and disseminate in every practicable way information respecting existing defects and desirable improvements in the organization and administration of our school system, and to awaken, enlighten, and
elevate public sentiment, in relation to the whole subject of popular education.
With this view, he will visit all parts of the State, and ascertain, by personal
inspection, and inquiries of teachers, school committees, and others, the actual
condition of the schools, with their various and deeply interesting statistical
details. He will meet, in every town, if practicable, such persons as are disposed to assemble together, for the purpose of stating facts, views and opinions, on the condition and improvement of the schools, and the more complete
and thorough education of the people. He will invite oral and written communications fromn teachers, school committees, and all others interested in the subject, respecting their plans and suggestions for advancing the intellectual and