Arizona republican. [volume] (Phoenix, Ariz.) 1890-1930, 1895-01-18
BIENNIAL FACTS
Reports of Territorial
Officials.
What the Normal School
Has Done.
Other Territorial Educational
Facts and Figures.
A Favorable Showing Made by the
Management of the T err
ritorial Prison.

The biennial reports OF the secretary
of the Normal school board, Superin-
tendent Gates of the Territorial prison
and the superintendent of public in
struction, were received at the COVER
nor's Office yesterday. The only depart
ment of the territorial administrator
whose report Is not yet in is the in
sane asylum.
By Secretary Miller's report of the
Normal school board it is shown that
the expenditures in that department
for the years 1S9394, or more properly,
for 1894, were $11, ,288.38, from which
though, is to be deducted $4773, leaving
for thu running expenses OF the year
$65f5.3S. This is considerably lower
than the expenses of any preceding
year, the reduction being accounted for
in part by the following reduction OF
just closed: principals salary reduced
from $500 per month to- $3.50; the first
assistants from $125 to 500; the second
assistants from $l25 to $S5; effecting an
annual saving of $1050.
The following interesting statistical
figures are given in the principals e
report showing the growth of the insti-
tuition during the last four years: In
1890 there were 81 pupils; in '91, 76
pupils; in 1872, "a pupils; in 1913, 81
pills, and in '94, "a pupils. Increas-
ing interest is shown in the annually
increasing percentage of attendance,
which in $50 was 34.6; ia '91, 51.7; '92,
$50; in 1872. 67.9; reac,5ing last year the
remarkable proportion of 9l.0 per cent.
1t 1s further observed that female
pupils have predominated largely.
Principal Storment says that the re-
lation of the normal school to schools
of similar grade in other states and
territories are very advantageous and
that an arrangement has been made by
which records of pupils may be ex-
changed with the normal school at Los
Angeles, Cal. Prof. Storment recon-
mends the ablishment of training
department as soon as practicable
Secretary Miller says that an addi
tional appropriation of $35, 1000 will be
required to complete the new normal
school building,
The report of Superintendent Meth
erton is very prehensive and covers
the whole educational field in Arizona
1t deals at great length with the history
of the development of the present
school system and points out the more
recent advances.
It says: "The advancement since
the organization of the school system
has been rapid, and today we find a
force OF 273 teachers employed in our
public schools. The liberal provisions
of our school laws have attracted the
attention of those engaged in educa'
tional work all over the country and
much of the best talent from many
states has been drawn to the south
west. At the last meeting of the Ari-
zona Teachers association held in
Phoenix from December II to the 21st
inclusive, the roll call of 132 teachers
present showed a representation from
thirty states, England, Canada and the
West Indies.
"Much of the rapid advancement of
Arlzona's schools is due to this fact
Coming as our teachers have from SC
many localities, the ideas and methods
of each locality have been concentrated
here and their association naturally
bring to the surface the cream of the
best educational throught of the coun.
try. Our teachers as rule are compe-
tent, wide-a-wake, high minded men
and women and no opportunity to en-.
courage and aid them should be over
looked"
A glance at the report shows that
there are now thirteen more grammar
and thirteen more primary schools in
the territory than there were IN 1898
also that there are 453 more boys and
and 1852 more girls enrolled in the
schools this year than were enrolled
last year, making total increase for
1894 of 1915. The increase in school
population during the past year was on
ly 74O, thus showing that 475 pupils at
tended school this year that did not at.
tend last year.
The total school population of the
territory in 1898 was 15, 1853 and in 1894
1928 children of school age. Last
year there were 1873 students in the
high schools of the territory and this
this year 25S.
The average school term in 1898 was
six and one-half months. and six and
three elevenths months in 1894. Last
year there were 81 male and 1876 female
teachers in the schools of the territory
and this year we find that the number
has increased till we now have 102 males