Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1893-08-14

superior to nything in the past.
The statistics regarding the number and
character of the schools indicate notable
Improvement, and the increases in the
number having classes in the more Sd-
vanced common school branches of in
struction is referred TO with satisfaction.
All the statistics relating to school dis
tricts and schooihouses show improvement.
The erection of new school buildings was
mostly in towns where they were most
needed.
With the increase in school money con-
sequen. upon the new State valuation and
the constant increase from the savings bank
tax, the superintendent thinks that within a
decade the average length of the schools
will be some 80 weeks.
The whole number of scholars in the
State is 2l0,472, decrease of 525; attend
ing school during the year 1861, de-
crease 1899; average registered attendance
ll3, ,692, decrease 9074; average daily at
tendance per term 30, ,l3l, decrease l2,-
s7l.
The average length of schools was "a
weeks, 3 days; increase 2 2weeks2 days;
average weeks per year li6,i01, increase
1879.
Terms taught by male teachers, 1857 b;
decrease, 53 taught by female teachers.
9l65; increase, 700; continued in same
school building during year, 2l23; de-
crease, 220; had previous experience.
G2sS increase 20; not having had preri-
GUS experience. 1898; increase, 352; grad
yates of normal schools, 1856; decrease, 26.
Average wages of male teachers per
month, excluding board. $3.50; increase,
.S.i: average wages of female teachers per
mont, excluding board, Sl1.32; decrease,
S2i. The amount expended for free text
books was SO BOZ, decrease of S9i ASS 4;
uugraded schools furnished with wall maps,
1898. decrease, l72; ungraded schools fur
nshed with globes, $50, increase, 4s; fur
nished with charts of any sort. lG46; in
crease, 45.
Whole number of different public schools,
47tI, increase, 1928 number Of graded
schools, 95J; increase, lld; ungraded
schools, 3Is9, increase, I; Ungraded
having classes in history. 25s9 !;
increase, l20; having classes in
2Gi0; increase, I; having
classes in bookkeeping, 1891, increase,
223; having classes in other than studies
required by law, l24i, increase, 81.
Towns and plantations having unit or
town system, l5l. decrease, .; school dis
tric,s in State, 1924, decrease, so; parts OF
districts, 235. decrease. %; schoolhouses in
State, l34s, increase, 80; reported in good
condition, 32i2; increase, %; built during
the wear, ~. cost of same, SG3 ,3u2, de-
crease, Si7,426; estimated value of all
school property, 80, ,s03 $40, increase, Sl3S,
$50
The number of free high schools re-
NAMED the same as in the previous report
-22s, but the number of weeks was 51s1 !,
an increase of 375. The number of pupils
registered was 1851, increase, 10. The
average attendance was 9l09, which is a
somew hat phenomenal decrease of 1927. \
total of 1927 common school teachers, an
increase of 81. The number of pupils in
ancient languages was 3j3s, an increase OF
1888.
The whole amount expended was sl64,
342, increase sl6,7G paid by towns and
districts, sl2illl, increase Sl6,057; paid
from State treasury, S40,23l, increase
$40.
The fact that the number of school
remains the same as the previous year lndI
Gates that the voluntary maintenance oi
these schools under present local condi-
ions has nearly or quite reached its maxi
mum. The abolisbment of the district sys
tenn will probably increase their number
The decrease in average attendance IS as
signed to the same cause as IN the common
schools. The grade of work done wa
greatly in advance of that of the preceding
year.
Regarding teachers Mr.. Luce says
While there has been an improvement II
the quantity of work performed as meas
Ired by length there is not corresponding
improvement in quality, as evidenced b,
tive statistics showing the character of teach
or. employed relative to those having had
previons experience, and normal schoo
yraiuates. '.On the other hand, because o
the smaller pay for equal services com
manded by females, it may be safely as
.lmed that the decrease in number o
terms taught by male teachers,a and increas'
in tfose taught by females, is indicative o
imp ovement in quality of instruction.
Contiru he says
"Almost one-fifth of the teachers EN-
ployed were without previous experience
and a very small percentage were qualiiie
W study or training to instruct on thos
subjects which they were called upon t.
teach and their knowledge of these subject
"a questioned in many cases The employ
ment of incompetent teachers il a seriou
iefect in our system.
"Few of our schools, and notably of on
-ursl schools, are furnished with the neees
.ary appliances to aid in instruction. Ever
-ural school room should have at least
,lobe. a series of outline maps, of primar
reading charts. of charts for teaching pen
usuship for teaching physiology and by
rene. for drill in rapid work in arithmeti
md for instruction in civil government.
There are too many schools. The a'
erage enrolment of pupils per school vi
ast year less than %. There are probsb
between 1000 and 1900 schools whose el
| ,ollment was I2 or less and a careful ii
ye.tiga,ion running through series
| year. has shown that between 600 or ~
| 'chooIs could be abolished without detr
ment. No school of less than 20 pup
an be of the highest efficiency. Wh'
| When schools can be abolished and pup
.ent TO other such schools it should
done.
The schc oihouses are not what tn
4hould be and the statistics show that on
fourth are not in suitable condition.
The local management and direction
he schools is not at its highest pfactiC
efficiency. It should be intelligent a
gigilant. The large wastes in school e
eenditures," Mr.. Luce says, ARE o. T.
,orts. First. there is loose waste in I
legally warranted but reprehensiole use
school moneys for the repair Of schc
buildings.
The law allows 10 per cent. Of the sch'
funds for repairs and the custom has gro
ID of using the full 10 per cent. and con
times more, for extensive general repsi
xhiie ii was only intended to ma
small and Incidental repairs. L
year s72 SAB of the school money was II
u.ed-a sum sufficient if devoted to leg
mate use, to add week and three days
he average length of the schools ]
other large waste is found in the support
unnecessary schools.
To cure some Of the defects the super
,endent recommends the enactment OF
compulsory attendance law which shall
la ,ruant Law ~ well. and define M
sharply the parents duty. The remedy
more Of the other defects 10 found IN
adjustment Of the district system WI
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