Wilmington daily gazette., 1872-08-27
EducatIona al.
REPORT OF SUPERINTENDENT HARLAN.

REPORT OF SUPERINTENDENT HARLAN.
At the meeting OF tie Board OF Education last
evening. the report of y. W. Harlan" Esq Hu'
perlnleI.emt OF Public Schools, for the school
recently closed, was read. 1t Is in substance y
tollsws
On first entering upon the duties Of the ohice,
it was a matter OF great difficulty to oO'aii cor
rect and systemized reports from the various
teachers. with regard to attendance. averages.
&c j, but since then the blanks provided for The
purpose Of making out necessary teacher recoras
and reports, wsre revised, and new ones esp :
cially adapted to the wants OF public schools were
prepared. The beneficial effects of this measure
were 90 IN obvious.
With regard to the Primary schools, in some OF
them tendency to advance pupils III books With
out much regard TO their knowledge OF the sub
jects treated OF. was manifest. But the prompt
adoption by the Board Of u course OF instruction
for these schools, and q manuel OF Oral lnstruc
ton and Object Lessons. TOR the use OF the teach
ers, have proved efficient in obviating this DIM
Guilty and are still working changes III the right
direction.
For the benefit Of some who did not attach suf-
hcient Importance to the proper mode OF instruc-
ton, suggestions were offered III regard to I'M
parting instruction to schoars OF different men
tai capacities, which had been generally acted
upon, with good effect.
Grammar Schools. No. and No. 4. were re-
ported to be excellent condition. both as regards
discipline and instruction. But the fact that
many pupils were being promoted to these from
lower schools interfered badly with proper CLASH
fcation of studies. During the year Just closed,
this evil was IN great measure corrected by max
ing only three general promotions from the Pr!-
mary to the Grammar schools.
The facilities provided IN school No. | for i'm
parting knowledge, were detailed an'l approved,
and the excellent condition of school No. A. which
has fully maintained Its good reputation. made
matter Of congratulation. Various changes IN
the teachers and scholars departments were re-
ported The prizes 80 generously offered to these
schools by Messrs. Heald and Seidel, Ind, in the
cst into the work of the teachers and pupils meyer
telt before during the last month Of the summer
term.
Tho interest in the Saturday Normal School
has been OF slow but steady growth. The whole
number enrolled during the year was 63 and the
average weekly attendance 80. But its influence
WAS making itself apparent in the improved con-
diticn Of the teachers who were regular in their
attendance. The advantages to be derived hy the
teachers from attending this school fully set
forth.
The faithfulness and zeal OF most Of the teach.
ers was refel red to, and they commended to the
generous regard OF the Board. An increase OF
heir compensation IN proportion to their increased
duties was also suggested. The thanks OF the
Superintendent were returned to them tor the CO .
dial manner in which he had always been weicom.
ed to the school rooms, and for their cordial CO.
opoio.ou aIt iSo W PioiAoto sAC ihtcioSt VI
our schools.
Thanks were also returned to the members Of
the Board for their uniform, courtesy, and kind
consideration during the official term OF the Su-
perintendent. The repeated evidences of thcu
appreciation have increased his love Tor the work
and he enters upon the duties of the new school
wear with bright hopes for the future OF our
schools.
The highest average attendance during the pas,
year, was 1887 in the month of October; average
number belonging at that time, 1924; lowest aver
age attendance, 1888, in June; average number
belonging at that time, 32i4; highest percentage
Of attendance. 81, IN October lowest, 81 III No.
vember and December number of applicants tor
the year, l462.
The average number of scholars belonging to
the schools Is as follows Boys Department
School No. l, 81; do, School No. 4. li6; Girls
Department. School No. l, 223, do. School No T.
l3l School No 2, 347 No. 8. 304; No 5, l22
No. 6. 3Sl; No. I. 3l2; No. y, 2SS: No. 0, 81
No. TO- 2SS; No. IL. l39; No. II, Isl; No. l3,
1888; No IA, 32S; Total, 1865. The total number
Of scholars enrolled in all the schools, is 5,6O7