Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1886-04-17

An ANALYSIS ot statistics is made by the SUI
perintendent The decrease in current ex-
penditure he holds has evidently not been at
the sacrifice of any essential good to the
schools, but must have resulted from the
more careful. efficient and economical man
agement of them evidenced by the increased
amount expended in supervision, as the
schools were larger and more in number and
the teachers employed, though receiving less
paw were at least equals in quallty 10 those
of the preceding year.
This wear again, for the third time within
a period of Is years, a small increase ap-
pears in the number of persons of school age.
During that period the total decrease has
been IA .O46-an average of 936 per year
During the last Ave years. the decreases and
increases have been as follows: 1881, de-
crease 729; 1885,, decrease 920; 1883, increase
$40: 1884, decrease 1858; 1885, increase 597.
1t would seem, therefore, that the limit ol
decrease had been reached at last, and that
at least partial repopulatiOn of some OF our
almost depopulated schools, is to be hoped
for. On the whole the statistics OF attend
ance for the year may be fairly considered as
showing the existence OF more inteillgeht
and active parental interest, competing pf
its demands better teaching and better super
vision, and securing by its exercise more
continuous and regular attendance OF pupiis;
Taking the product of aggregate length and
average attendance for the year "a the meas
nre of work done, and making comparison
with that of the preceding year, II appears
that the work of the schools increased IN val
ne nv the equivalent of a weeks schooling OF
AZ, l5S pupils.
Improyed and improving conditions OF the
schools are indicated. The increase OF % IN
the number of graded schools in the State,
shows not alone progress in the direction OF
more systematic and profitable school work.
there il Tins indicated trend in school at
fairs in the direction of much needed re
form-the gradual strengthening OF the whole
system by the extinction of the many uh,
necessary small schools Inc se'eta,
marked increases in the number OF uhgraueo
schools in which are taught tue hishei
branches of the common schooi course are
very significant. aha ,oher ot
,.,o and female teachers employed contiHue
70 show for this year what mas oeen sno~"
for the four preceding years, increase IN the
former and increase in the latter ae.
ROC ting in the five years net
doc rease of males. in summer OF oo anu ~
inter of 52S: and an increase OF femaieS 10
.rmmer of lOl and in winter 5o2. IL Is ue
i;evsd that there is demand for better teach-
or. Tn. increase of the number oil teache y.
Dir r;po the wear il not looked upon as inu'-
ostive Of Improvement and is to be dep.sc at
cd There is reason for believing tnat .he
u new teachers enter upon their work better
prepared than ever before. fne . srlg' ar a
crease shown in the number OF Norma. go
mates is to be greatly regretted. The decrea; ;s
in wages of both male and female .eac a,easds
found in the explanation OF the al,ei ;u
noticed decrease in expenditures , aua ~ nf
crease in average and aggregate iens'" -
schools. .:.a.d that the
The superintendent is satisnea 'n"' '@