St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1884-10-12
OUR SCHOOLS,
Annual Report ofCounty Superintend-
ent Smith.
A Gratifying Increase-Better Attendance
and Great Improvement.

year ending Aug. 81, 1884, giving in detail the
important items and information necessary to a
correct understanding of the condition of the
schools of Hennepin county. In his introduc-
ton to the report Mr. Smith reviews the work of
the past year, and makes some practical sugges-
tions and comments thereon.
The total enrolment of the year is 1913 an
increase of 1876 over the previous year. The
attendance this year is much more regular also
Every effort at more perfect gradin o
and systematic teaching finds its most serious
obstacle in the irregular attendance of the pu-
pills. This irregularity, Mr. Smith thinks, is
more the fault of parents than the children, and
he suggests that if the public school funds were
distributed, not in proportion to the number en-
rolled, as now, but on the basis of the aggregate
number Of days of school attendance of each pu-
pil, that the difficulty could be in large measure
remedied.
The progress in teaching is also noticeable and
the a6struse and mechanical methods of former
years are rapidly giving way to the philosophic
plans and practices in school management Ex-
ercises In drawing have been introduced and
vocal music has been successfully taught in
many OF the rural schools The first is step Of
especial Importance for two reasons: First, be-
cause OF its practical valne to every child in point
OF culture and general usefulness; secondly, on
account OF Its intimate relations TO technical edu-
cation, to manufacturing, and indeed to all in
dustrial pursuits. Either of these two reasons
Is of sufficient Importance to command the atten-
ton OF those who seek TO promote the greater
prosperity of our state in the development of her
industrial interests. We cannot, neither do we
expect TO train all boys 20 be draughtsmen, any
more than we expect to fit them for authors or
journalists by teaching them reading and Ian
guagc. But we should aim to give the average
scholar the power to read construction from
plan should he be called to work in that line
The spirit OF improvement in buildings and
grounds has been manifest during the year, but
too little attention is still given, however to the
educating influence of nicely arranged and well
kept grounds. School grounds should be sur
rounded with a neat substantial fence, shade
trees planted, and decorated with flower beds
and grass plats. few districts have taken the
initiative in this direction. among which may be
mentioned school district No. ST. The course
OF study has proved satisfactory and wherever
intelligently followed has tended to develop an
interest in country life. BY carefully pruning
we nave been able 10 discontinue much of the
nonessential, and in place thereof introduce the
study of elementary physiology, botany, natural
philosophy, the natural history of animals relat-
ing TO the farm, the science OF entomology, and
lessons on our political institutions. Monthly
examinations have been conducted during the
year, and the value of such work is apparent in
the marked progress and steady Advancement of
the pupils in their power to OK press thoughts in
correct language.
The grading of rural schools is with us no
longer an experiment; the practicability of the
plan has been thoroughly tested. AS an out
growth we have more regular attendance, less
frequent changes of teachers, a more thorough
education apparent in advanced grades, the
length OF the term of school increased in many
districts, and growing interest on the part OF
the parents and the public generally in the work
of the schools.
SECONDARY EDUCATION.
While our schools have been conducted with
the usual energy and efficiency which character
ICES our excellent corps of teachers, much yet
remains to be done before we can approximate
perfection. There is demand for more ex-
tended school advantages that should be en-
Outraged and satisfied as far as possible We
can only expect to elevate our primary schools
We hold out inducements to pupils to go on to
higher attainments. 1t is conceded that the state
must educate for its own civil ends, by itself ard
of Itself, its coming citizens; through q system
OF schools. elementary, secondary and higher
open and free to all children. Secondary schools
have been and are fostered by the state in many
cities and larger towns and the sum Of S4GO each
per annnm has been turned over to them for
their encouragement and benefit While the
above is true, il is also true that in large por-
ton Of the state all culture above what the dis
trict school affords can be had only in institu
tons charging tuition, until the pupil Is pre-
pared TO enter the university. These preparatory
schools are distant from the homes OF q large
part OF the pupils, requiring expense for travel
and board as well tuition fees, and for these
reasons not accessible to families Of moderate
means. In this county no free secondary school
exists outside the city, and the boys and girls
hungering and thirsting for greater attain:nents
find here opportunities for satisfying their de-
sires except in the already over crowded district
II 81. n
necessity be crude and unsatisfactory Our peo-
pie demand greater facilities and this demand
can be met by the organization of free high
schools in every town. The state should step
forward and by liberal provision encourage the
people to furnish educational advantages that
will afford any pupil in the country an opportu-
nifty for a liberal education. Such schools estab-
lshed in every township will awaken spirit of
emulation among schools OF the lowest grades
and infuse into them newness Of life.
THE REPORT.
Number of scholars entitled to apportionment
-l1,l9S
Not entitled to apportionment mot Of school
age and non residentsl SOB.
Entire number of scholars enrolled in school
each term: winter. 1866; summer, Is :426
Average daily attendance: winter Il7Sg:
summer, l,2S5; for the year, 1I,535
Average length Of school in months, 3-5
Number of visits made by superintendent, $50,
Number of teachers, each sex in each term
Winter, males 81 females, exc; summer males
10; females, 2S4. Number of teachers OF each
sex for the year: Males, SO; females $50
Average monthly wages OF teachers for toe
year: Males, Si7; females, S34.
Number Of common schools, l07: special, 1:
total 1Os.
Number of new school houses built, brick, 4
value, $4,000
Number of school houses, frame, 1O7; brick,
30; stone 2; log, /; total l3j.
Value Of school houses aud sites, $3.50. 9g9:
seats and desks, $4,000: apparatus, 80. 600:
libraries. $1,000; total, SsOi,99 average rate
of taxation, ga mills.
RECEIPTS.
Cash on hand at beginning OF year.. SIC, 414. IS
Received from school fand, fines etc 2424345
Received from one mill tax collected. e, CO. Al
Received from special taxes. els, 904 so
Received from bonds sold. 1G,O6l Os
Received from other sources.... 1895. 81
DISBURSEMENTS.
Teachers wages and board. .....S f65, 362 Of
Wood a1d. supplies. 1904 al
Repairs and improvements. ......... 24.SO7 II
New houses and sales............. 92.IOS 10
Bonds ana interest. ..---..---...-.. 26.742 SO
Other purposes. Observation-Disclosures. 15,434 %
Cash on hand at end of year. 3s,614 o.
Total. .ss79, ia ~
Organized districts los; number OF teachers
who have taught in one district for three years,
157; two years, 30: one year. 20; total, s17.
Number OF first grade certificates granted, males
Z; females, 4 second grade certificates males
IS; females, 2i7; third grade certificates. fe-
males, /. Number Of applications rejected, :92;
revoked, /. Number of graded schools, S; num-
Der Of graded departments, 217. Number of
teachers who have attended normal schools, s0i /;
institute, 45S.
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