Page:Oregon Historical Quarterly volume 21.djvu/113

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OREGON NORMAL SCHOOLS 103

styled 'normal course,' and is especially designed to aid as rapidly as possible teachers who may be unable to take a full college course. This course aims to cover the ground ordi- narily occupied by state normal schools, and might easily and economically be made to do this normal work for our state." This is perhaps the first public pronouncement of one of the most consistent objections to normal schools, not only in Oregon but in other states, namely, that existing institutions, public and private, were prepared to train all the teachers necessary in the state. What the course "designed to aid teachers as rapidly as possible" was may be seen below :

NORMAL COURSE FIRST YEAR SECOND YEAR THIRD YEAR

I Term I Term I Term Arithmetic Elementary Algebra Chemistry English Grammar Modern History Psychology Mental Arithmetic Elementary Rhetoric Botany

II Term II Term Natural Philosophy English Grammar Geometry II Term Elementary Algebra Mineralogy Astronomy Physical Features Bookkeeping Natural Philosophy Physiology III Term Pedagogics Zoology Trigonometry III Term

III Term Ancient History Botany

English Grammar Bookkeeping English Literature

Elementary Algebra Constitution

Zoology

That opinion favorable to state normals was being created among the teachers is shown by a resolution passed by the western division of the state teachers' association, and pub- lished in the Oregonian September 1, 1879. Here three nor- mals were advocated instead of one as recommended by the state superintendent:

'Teachers trained by our sister states are coming among us ; and it is not doing justice to our sons and daughters in com- peting with these to give them no opportunities for qualify- ing themselves equally with those from abroad. All will agree that we have first class talent; but trained teachers, will, in