At a meeting of the American Institute of Instruction it was—

"Resolved, That we commend the adoption of the town system in the administration of schools, as now sanctioned by the successful experience of all the States foremost in education."

Superintendent Dartt recommends that the system be adopted by the State as a whole and not by individual towns.

SUPERVISION.

The schools of each town are supervised by a town superintendent instead of a county superintendent, as we find in so many of the States. The State superintendent recommends that the local management of the schools be by a board of directors elected by the town; but quite a number of the town superintendents advise that the schools be placed under the direction of a county superintendent, who should be required to devote his whole time to the work.

RECOMMENDATIONS.

Superintendent Dartt makes the following recommendations:

(1) That a census of the school population be taken annually.

(2) That school taxes be equal throughout the State.

(3) That the school taxes of each town, together with the income of all other tow school funds, constitute the school money of such town.

(4) That the district system be abolished in the whole State, and that the schools be in charge of a board of directors elected by the town.

(5) That small schools be consolidated, and none be sustained with less than ten scholars.

(6) That provision be made for the transportation of all children who could not otherwise attend.

(7) That all children of good health and of suitable age be required to attend school for at least twenty weeks each year.

(8) That all text-books be furnished free by the towns.

(9) That the school year be made to end with the 30th of June instead of March 31.

VIRGINIA.

For information contained in this Report relating to education in Virginia consult the Index. If the State School Report is received in season an abstract of it will be given at the close of this volume.

WASHINGTON TERRITORY.

[From the Governor's Report to the Secretary of the Interior for 1887-88.]

The total population of the Territory in 1886-87 was 143,669, and in 1887-88 it was estimated to be 167,982. The school population in 1886-87 was given by the State superintendent of education as 18,506, and if it has increased in the same proportion as the total population it is now more than 21,000. The Governor says: The excellent character of our statutes on the subject of public schools and the liberality of our people in levying taxes for public education of our youth was shown in a very striking manner, in my report for 1887, and the Territory has not varied its record in those respects during the past year.

"During the summer and autumn of 1887 I visited every prominent locality and all but two of the counties of the Territory in order to become personally acquainted with its topography, resources, and condition. Amongst the noticeable features of the landscape every where was the white school-house. They confront you not only in the cities, but in the villages and hamlets and beside the country roads. The people take pride in them and keep them in good shape. I visited the public schools in many places and was struck with the healthful appearance and physical beauty of the children. That they were true Americans was demonstrated by the fact that they demanded a speech every time; in one case, at Walla Walla, refusing to excuse me even when the bell rang for recess and their companions from the other rooms went clattering along the halls. "The class of teachers in the public schools, with whom I had opportunities of conversing, seemed to be, with few exceptions, men and women of high aims."

There are, in different parts of the Territory, quite a number of private schools, academies, and colleges that are assisting very much in promoting education, and are meeting with much success.

SCHOOL LANDS.

"There have been no disclosures on the subject of school lands since my last report, except the passage of an act by Congress authorizing boards of county commissioners to

lease them to individuals on certain conditions. This will increase the revenues available for school purposes by the amount of the rents derived at once, and the improvements that will be made will in all probability add to the value of the lands and increase the amount that will ultimately be realized from their sale."

ARBOR DAY.

There is much land in the Territory that is not suitable for agricultural purposes, but could well be used for a growth of forests. In order to give encouragement to tree planting the Governor urged the Legislature to establish an "Arbor Day "to the schools, but the matter was overlooked. So great an interest in it is now being taken, however, that it is very likely that the next Legislature will pass a law upon the subject.

WEST VIRGINIA.

[From Report for 1886–87 and 1987-88 of State Superintendent Benjamin S. Morgan.]

TEACHERS' SALARIES.

The failure of the teachers to receive prompt payment of their salaries is a cause of much complaint. In many cases they are required to wait months before being paid or to discount their claims very heavily, or else enter suit before a justice or circuit court, which is an unpleasant recourse, especially so for lady teachers. In case of other orders on the county treasurer which can not be paid, the sheriff is required to indorse them, and if they are due at the date of presentment they draw the legal rate of interest from that time. This is not done, however, in case of teachers' orders on the county treasurer, which is manifestly unfair treatment. qualified for their work, they should be assured that their salaries shall be regularly and promptly paid, for even then they are not fully compensated for the work done.

In order to secure and retain teachers fully

GRADED COURSES FOR COUNTRY SCHOOLS.

The present school law simply requires that certain branches shall be taught in the public schools, without giving any classification of the studies, or stating how long each shall be studied. Hence, with every change of teachers, and at the beginning of every term, a new arrangement of classes is made without regard to any definite course of progression. The superintendent recommends that the State board of education, under the direction of the State superintendent, be required to prepare a manual and graded marse of study for ungraded schools, to be printed and distributed for the education department. "Such a course of study, partaking somewhat of the character of a manual, would serve a valuable purpose as a guide to the teacher, and especially to the young teacher; it will encourage the pupil by preventing a great deal of useless repetition, and aid in securing more regular attendance; it will aid the county superintendent in school, and therefore make his work more effective; it will give the ungraded schools a the work of supervision, and bring his influence more directly in connection with each higher and

An experiment of this kind was tried in Monongalia County as early as 1876, with very gratifying results, and since then it has been adopted in many other counties of the State, as well as in many States of the Union.

COUNTY SUPERINTENDENCY.

It is not sufficient for the State to levy and collect a school-tax, build a school-house, work of the teachers, see that it is properly done, suggest improvements, and aid in securing a proper classification of pupils. Every city has its superintendent of schools, although in cities the schools are generally graded and have better teachers than the country schools, and therefore do not stand in such great need of supervision; but so adrantageous has it proved to be, that under no circumstances would the cities dispense with the school superintendent. badly classified, no well-defined course which they are expected to pursue, and the teachin the frequently incompetent, and, in addition, the teachers are frequently engaged the work for the first time; for it is estimated that fully 20 per cent, of the teachers work do so because it is the most remunerative employment they can secure just at the employed each year have had no experience. A large portion of those who enter the is for these reasons that the country schools stand in such need of a county superintendtime, and are only waiting to receive a better offer, when they are glad to accept it. It

In the ungraded country schools we find the pupils

eat. required to devote his entire time to them and to teachers' institutes, and in the summer when the schools are not in session he should hold county institutes. In order that

he might have sufficient time to fully acquaint himself with his new work and to inaugu rate and carry through any reforms found necessary, he should be chosen for a term of four years instead of two. It is frequently said in objection to this that if a county superintendent proves worthy the people will re-elect him, but this is not corroborated in the practical working of the office, for it is too often found that the superintendent is displaced simply for discharging fully his duties. The officer should live at the county seat, and should be paid a liberal salary; enough to secure the best teacher in the county.

HIGH SCHOOLS.

The educational institutions of the State are subdistrict schools, graded schools, high schools, normal schools, and the State University; they should be so arranged as to meet the interdependence that should exist between them. The common and graded schools must look to the normal schools and State University for their teachers, and the high and normal schools must depend upon the ungraded schools for their students, and the State University looks to the graded and high schools for its students. The course in these different schools should be arranged to suit each other, and not left to the gradual changes of years.

The high schools so far, however, have entirely failed to accomplish their purpose, and in addition have destroyed the old academies which, they were intended to supersede. They are not only too few in number, but their course of instruction is too low and their work inferior. Hence there is a break in the connection between the subdistrict schools and the State University. The law as existing for the last twenty years has allowed the establishment of district and joint district high schools, but there is not a single district high school in the State. Experience shows that the high school district should be larger than the graded school district, and in most cases it should be conterminous with the counties. The ordinary school districts do not furnish a sufficient number of well-advanced pupils to support a good high school, and for this reason the high school district should be larger. The second essential to the establishment of good high schools is State aid. In many of the States this aid has been given, and it has proved to be a wise step. There will at first be some opposition to the schools, but when they get in regular operation and their good effects begin to be seen they will be highly appreciated.

TEXT-BOOKS.

The present contract for furnishing school books expires in 1890, but the superintendent, after examining a number of different plans in other States, thinks none better than the one now in operation in the State, and as the text-books now in use give very general satisfaction, no change in this respect should be made. It is recommended, however, that provision be made by law for furnishing text-books free of expense to all indigent pupils. Some of the States have gone further, and furnished free text-books to all the pupils, and the law gives general satisfaction. As a result, there is a larger and more regular attendance, better classification, and no waste of time at the opening of the term, and less expense.

PHYSIOLOGY AND HYGIENE.

The requirement of the law that physiology and hygiene be taught in the public schools, with special reference to the effects of narcotics and alcoholic stimulants upon the human system, meets the general approbation of teachers and patrons. The law has not been obeyed entirely, however, as no text-book on the subject was chosen, and teachers were not required to be examined on the subject until after January, 1889, which gave the impression to many that the study was not to be introduced till after that time.

SCHOOL LIBRARIES,

The importance of establishing libraries in connection with the public schools is be ginning to be very generally recognized. They serve to protect the children to some extent from the evil influences of the pernicious literature which is now so generally circulated and which is made so seductive to youthful minds; moreover, the public school libraries cultivate in the young a desire to read, and under the wise guidance of a discreet teacher a desire for good literature is implanted, in the gratification of which much historical and biographical knowledge may be obtained.

COMPULSORY ATTENDANCE.

The sentiment in favor of a compulsory attendance of all pupils upon either public or private schools is becoming stronger each year and has been attempted in several States with varying degrees of success.

MANUAL TRAINING.

The subject of manual training in the public schools or in schools established specially for this purpose is now receiving much attention. While other States are making great advances in educational matters it does not become West Virginia to be lagging in the rear, and so it is advisable that a committee be appointed to investigate the subject of industrial education, as to whether it should be ingrafted upon the public school system or separate schools be established for the purpose.

RECOMMENDATIONS.

The following recommendations are made by the superintendent: That the employment of children under a certain age in factories, mills, or mines during the time the schools are in session be prohibited.

That boards of education be authorized to provide books and stationery for indigent. pupils.

That the four years' certificates of teachers be renewable after the expiration of three

years.

That the State board of education be authorized to establish a graded course of study for ungraded schools.

WISCONSIN.

[From Report for 1886-87 and 1887-83 of State Superintendent Jesse B. Thayer.]

SCHOOL ATTENDANCE.

The statistics of the year 1886-87 presented some remarkable and unexpected features, as they showed a decrease in all the items concerning which statistics were collected; even a decrease in the number of children of school age in the State, while it is well known that the population of the State has been rapidly increasing. This apparent decrease in the school population is very likely due to the system of joint school districts, the clerks of different districts being required to report the facts relating to schools to the town clerks, and it is very probable that many duplications were made. The law recently passed requiring the clerks when taking the census to take the name and age of each person, and with whom the same resides, very probably was the means of prereating many persons from being reported twice. The statistics of the cities did not show any decrease, but only the rural districts.

The attendance at school was smaller than in the previous year, and was occasioned to a large extent by the deep snows and stormy weather of the winter of 1886-97. In any instances the trustees were compelled to close the schools for one or two months, thas shortening the school term to that extent.

It is thought, too, that a larger number of children than usual attended private and parochial schools; but as no reports from these are made, although the law requires all chartered institutions to do so, it was impossible to ascertain the exact number of children attending them. Superintendent Thayer thinks that all such schools should be required to report at least the number of children attending them.

After all due allowance, however, has been made for these causes, the fact remains were in operation, were much below what might reasonably be expected; and it should that the number of children attending the schools, and the number of days the schools

be

what way it might be corrected. In all the States there is a large number of children who do not attend school, and this should especially be expected in a new State like Wisconsin, where the people are constantly pushing farther out into the unoccupied lands where there are no schools, and even if there were the amount of work to be done in preparing land for cultivation, in building houses, etc., would be so great that little opportunity could be afforded children to attend school.

so is being

TOWNSHIP DISTRICTS.

hot failing to accomplish what should be expected of them on account of their adhering Superintendent Thayer thinks that it should be considered whether the schools are te the old which is now being abandoned in many States, and in others the propriety of doing thousand men in the State to attend to school affairs, and it is very probable that if considered. The district system requires the appointment of about eighteen fewer such officers were needed better men would be found, and the schools would soon terested in the success and prosperity of the schools would prove highly advantageous to

them.

COURSE OF STUDY FOR UNGRADED SCHOOLS.

Much attention was given to the subject of establishing a regular course of study for ungraded schools, and so far as adopted it proved of great advantage in securing systematic and progressive work; and the desire of children to complete the course and to be able to stand a successful examination before the county superintendent, and to receive a certificate thereof, proved a valuable incentive to study. It is thought, too, that the adoption of such a course would be of great assistance to young teachers, as it would be a valuable guide to them in outlining the work to be accomplished.

TEACHERS.

The great majority of applications for teachers' certificates made and granted are for those of the lowest grade; of the 8,826 certificates granted during the past year only 435 were of the first grade and 1,058 of the second grade, and in the previous year still fewer first and second-grade certificates were issued. It is thought that the law of 1887, giving greater value to first and second-grade certificates, will induce teachers to make greater efforts to obtain them.

The requirement of the law that teachers shall pass a satisfactory examination in physiology and hygiene, and other studies, did not diminish the number of teachers receiving licenses, for the persons wishing to receive teachers' certificates at once began to qualify themselves in these branches. Superintendent Thayer thinks that some other studies should be added to the list required, namely, botany, elementary physics, and that branch of physiology which treats of animal life generally, and the laws of growth and health of domestic animals. It is thought that by including these in the commonschool curriculum, the instruction would be of a more practical character, and thereby be of greater interest to the pupils.

HIGH SCHOOLS.

A larger number of free high schools is reported than heretofore, and there is a larger attendance upon them. Their establishment has not interfered at all with the graded schools, and the appreciation of them is increasing. It is to be regretted that a larger number of towns, where there are no graded schools, have not availed themselves of the aid offered by the State for the establishment of high schools.

SCHOOL EXHIBIT.

The Legislature appropriated two thousand dollars for the purpose of making an exhibit of the work and condition of the public schools of Wisconsin at the National Centenary School Exposition held in Chicago, in July, 1887, in connection with the annual meeting of the National Educational Association. An extensive, well-arranged, and creditable exhibit was made of work of the public schools, normal schools, and State institutions, and at the close of the exposition at Chicago, the material was shipped to Milwaukee, where it was exhibited during the months of September and October, and afterwards returned to the contributors.

LIBRARIES FOR SCHOOLS.

Not much has yet been done towards establishing libraries under the recently enacted law, about thirty per cent. of the towns of the State having taken some steps in this direction. Some defects have been encountered in the administration of the law, but they may be easily remedied.

WYOMING.

[From Report of the Governor to the Secretary of the Interior, September 19, 1888.]

"The public schools in Wyoming are well attended considering all things, and are an honor and credit to the Territory. The superintendents, principals, and teachers are earnestly devoted to their work, and will compare favorably with those of any State or Territory." The leasing of the school lands can be made to yield a large fund for schools, and relieve the tax-payers of much of their public burden.