Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1875-04-14
THE PUBLIC SCHOOLS OF WASH
INGTON.
TWenty.seVenth Annual Report.
AN INTERESTING EXHIBIT.

Last evening the annual report OF the TruS-
tees of Public Schools (white) of Washing
ton was presented 10 the board by c. Il.
Smith, John ii. Brooks and r. b. Deitrick,
the committee charged with its preparation.
The report says that the school year which
closed on the 3lst of August last was one of
steady and healthful progress in respect to
the number of pupils i'll attendance, the
character of the instruction impaired, aud a
better appreciation OF the public schools on
the part of many of orr citizens.
THE STEADY GROWTH OF THE SCHOOLS
is shown by the number of pupils enrolled
during each twelve months ending August
3lst. on the following years; 1850, 1885; 81,
1883; Co. $50; '63. 1870 o. 1895, 65, 50l3 GO,
5912; 20, S1o II, 80; a. s,I6i; .3, $685.; ~,
9Si5. II we add TO the last number $40 for
Georgetown, SIS for the county, and 6,32I for
all the schools for cOlored children, we havea
total of II ,S39 as the number of pupils en-
rolled in the public schools of the District of
Columbia during the school year ending
August 81, 1874. From the foregoing it APP
pears that the number of pupils attending
the schools for white children more than
doubled during the decade between 1860 and
1870. If we add TO this the number in the
schools for cOlored children, (all organized
since 1861 the school census would show an
increase of $50 per cent. in ten years, while
the increase in the population of the city,
during the same period. was only 80 per cent.
These facts clearly indicate that our public
school system is becoming better appreciated
year by year; and we doubt not that, if we
had pleasant and cOmmOdiOuS school build
ingS in which to receive and instruct them,
the number of pupils seeking admission into
our public schools would be largely aug
mented. During the year the board had un
der its supervision 1856 school rooms with
S,1GO seats, being an increase of 164 seats over
the number of the previous year
THE EXPENSE.
The following shows in round numbers the
sums disbursed for the maintenance of pub
lie schools in the city of Washington each
So O00; 81. $40 900; Co. 1900; 63 $50 O00 "a
SGS eco; '65, So. 900; &c. $4,000 67 Sl2i 200;
'6s s125,00 90, S345.000 20, S2i0,020; II,
5000; 70 ,>Ia6.O00; 20. $3.50 900; a. S2l5O0O
IL will he observed that the amount paid out
for the schools during the last year was
Si3, 600 less than that of the preceding year,
which is partly owing to the fact that some
OF the expenses were not paid till after the
close of the year, but also TO another fact,
viz: that
THE ERECTION OF NEW SCHOOL BUILDINGS
was entirely intermitted, which aust be re-
garded as unfortunate under the c!fcum-
stances, while so many of our schools - To-
Gated in rented buildings which are not con-
venient or suitable for school purposes. This
is especially true in the wealthlest and most
densely populated part of the city, where
iull nifty PEE cent. of our schools are yet
taught in rooms of this description. In the
Judgment of the committee, at least ole large
school building should be erected each wear
until all the schools shall be supplied with
commodlous and well-ventilated apart
ments. Large buildings are recommended
for reasons affecting the discipline and grad
ing OF schools; and it is found that parents
very generally choose schools located i'm large
buildings i'm preference TO those in small
ones, although the latter may be more con-
Yenient TO their homes.
DUTY OF THE GENERAL GOVERNMENT.
Seeing that the general government has
taken very laudable interest in the educa-
ton of the people outside of the District of
Columbia, as evinced by the very liberal do
nations of land made for this object, it seems
almost incredible that the schools of the capt.
tai, over which Congress is to exercise ex-
elusive legislation" should have been almost
entirely overlooked.
ATTENDANCE.
BY reference TO the report OF the Superin-
tehdent and accompanying tables, il appears
that the daily attendance during the year
was pa per cent; or the average number OF
criterion of the prosperity of the schools We
cannot too strongly insist that il is the duty
OF parents and guardians TO cooperate with
the trustees and teachers in securing the
regular and constant attendance of their
children and wards at school, This matter
is at this time receiving the special attention
of the most eminent educators of the coun-
try, and some Of the state legislatures have
already enacted laws compelling parents to
avail themselves of the school facilities pro-
vided for their children.
INTHE NATTER OF SCHOOL DISCIPLINE,
the rule of the Board remains unchanged.
''Mild and conciliatOry discipline Is enjOined
on all teachers, and the avoidance OF corporal
gard to the necessity of obedience on the part
OF the pupil" The number of cases OF corporal
punishment III I'LL tUo SCHOOLS WulCc GILL
dren during the last school year was III, as
against 429 cases during the previous year.
In gs of the schools this mode of punishment
was not once resOrted TO during the year
Although the board feel that 1t would not be
for the best interests of the schools at this
time to absolutely prohibit this mode of cor
rection, yet they endeavor to impress il on
the minds of teachers that the minimum of
this kind of discipline is the maximum of ex-
cellence in school government, and that il
should be used only as dernier resort, after
every other means of correction has been
tried and found Intellectual In the opinion
of the committee incorrigible boys should be
placed under proper refOrmatOry influences
early In their career, and before their vicious
habits become fixed; that there should
he a truant officer, who, In connection with
the trustees, might, under proper safeguards,
commit them to a reform school.
tits gratifying to state that the teachers of
Our public schools have, with very few ex-
ceptfOns, given entire satisfaction.
THE NORMAL SCHOOL.
Recognizing the importance Of having a
corps OF teachers specially trained for their
work, the board organized normal school.
which was opened In September, 1873; and at
the close ofthe school year seventeen young