The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1892-02-07
THE MONTANA SCHOOLS.
State Superintendent Cannon Re-
ports the Work for the Past
Year Progressive.
He Recommends che Amendment
of the Law Regulating Com
pulsory Attendance.
Special Taxes Have Reen Cheerfully As
summed for tho, Erection of Now
school Buildings. .

state Superintendent Cannon has made
his report for 1891 to Gov. Toole. who II
the president OF the state board OF educa'
ton. The work of the past year has been
progressive throughout the state without
exception. The apportionmens for teachers
has been increased over that Of 1880, 49,
498 while the total receipts for school pur-
poses show a gain of Sls3,03O.9S. The
amount paid for teachers wages exceeds
that of 1890 by SAG, 76s. Superintendent
Cannon says it Is gratifying to note thas
the inducements offered capable tsachefs
in the payment of salaries Commensurate
with the services to be performed has had
the effect of drawing to the state n large
number who have had professional training
for their work and whose requirements are
of the highest order. Of those who have
graduated from normal schools there mas
been AN increase Of thirty over lS9U. n \
gain of 100 in the number who have at
tended such schools without finishing the
prescribed course. There are many teach
ers in the schools who without special train
ing have done excellent work and tho
SUPERINTENDENT recommends that some
provision be made for schools OF methods
in each county presided over by those who
are masters in their lines. Such schools
would be q great benefit in aiding those
who have rot had the advantage OF profess
sional training and would supply the place
OF normal or training schools until the
time the state establishes its own.
The number of children between the
ages Of five and q who attended school in
1890 was 81, S21 and in 1891 it was 29,353. In
1890 the number enrolled was l6, $50 and In
1891, l9,O5l. The average daily attendance
in 1890 was 10,6l4.09 and for last year, L.
Oo2.S. The number enrolled in private
schools for the corresponding periods was
1850 and l 1856. and the total enrollment.pub-
lie and private was IS 40 and 2O,7S7. There
are thirteen children in eastern institu-
lions at tue expense Of the state.
Special taxes, the Superintendent says,
nave been c%heerfully assumed to bnild
schoolhouses that ara a credit to.the people
and all honor to the state and places Mon
tana in line with the most progressive
states. The increase in the value ct school
buildings and sites is S106; $3.50. In ls9o
the buildings were as follows: Log, l75;
frame, 1879; stone, 2; brick, 36; adobe, 5.
Last year ten moro log buildings we're ad-
ded. fifteen frame, one stone and six brick.
On the subject Of compulsory eduoa-
ton Supt. Cannon SAYS Of the chill
dren falling under the provisions
Of the law 14,188 were reported.
OF this number 8,14S. or 81 per cent, we're
in attendance in public schools and six per
cent in private schools, leaving 81 per cent
between the ages Of eight and fourteen at
large. The superintendent recommends
that the legislature amend the law and pro-
vide for the appointment OF truant officers.
Reports from the various county superin-
tendents accompany Sups. Gannon's report
and ahow in detail the condition of the
schools and this progress made.