The Montgomery advertiser., 1909-11-25
Much Progress Made
 M State School Work

They showed an increase among the number of second grade teachers of thirty per cent over the previous year, and at the same time their number of third grade teachers has been reduced two per cent.
 ''The average length of the term of the public schools for the whites dur ing the year covered by this report was 12s days as compared with 12s days of the previous year. The aver age length of term of the public schools for the negroes was ninety two days as compared with ninety five days for the previous year.
 The average salaries paid white teachers. 1t will be noted, was s60.6s for the men and $45.s5 for the wo- men. these figures being an increase and $43.s5. respectively. The aver age salaries paid coiored teachers were $27.1s for the men and 324 for the women compared with $28.23 for the men during the previous year and S2s.s7 for the women.
 Schools Better.
 |s Tt Is Interesting to note that the increased efficiency E. of the public schools reduces each year the appar- number of private schools for white children during the year covered by this report was reduced 39 per cent. while the number of private schools for negro children was reduced & per cent, .8a
 "Tuitiops and incidentaIs paid by the patrons of the public schools dur ingS the year show a decerase amount ing to 1 per. cent. among the whites and IS per cent. among the colored. indicating an increased dependence upon the State on the part of the pub He in proportion as the State in- creases its expenditures for the pub lic schools. The report shows that the items of tuition and incidentals paid by the patrons of the white schools amounted to s25e,0s7. while the negroes paid s27.141.
 Special attention Is called to the fact that the value of the public school houses in Alabama was increas- Cd during the year by the amount of t2lS.44e for the white schools. while the negro school houses were increas- ed in value by the amount of $71,625. The valuations as now reported of the school houses in which the common public schools are taught is S4,217, ,0oo for the white schools. s375. 900 for the negroes. Thus it will be seen that the values of the public school houses for white children increased during the year s1.0o0 for each day not counting sundays, while the increased values of the negro schools went for ward at a rate of one-third that amount During the year 22s school houses for the whites were decided to the State, receiving State aid either in building new houses or in improv- ing old ones. The number of school houses, all told. for the whites shows decrease of five and one-fifth per cent, Indicating that the commenda- ble work of consolidating the schools has made decided progress during the year. The total number of schools for negroes was increased six per cent The number of houses used for school purposes. though not school houses, showed a decrease of six and four-fifths per cent. among the whites and decrease of IS per cent. among the negroes.
 ''The most remarkable increase of all the items touched by this report Is shown In the percentages of in- creased values of seats, desks and other school supplies. This increase in. values among the white schools was si per cent, while the colored schools showed an Improvement equal ly commendabfe.
 ''The State appropriation-the gen. eral fund-showed an increase of $365.o00 over the previous year. the sum total for the year being about one and three-quarter million dollars The poll tax, however, showed a de- crease of s23.000. The income to the schools from the tax levied by the counties which have voted the one mill tax showed an increase of s6T,-
 "combinfhg. these several sources of Income it will be seen that the teach CTS received S2S6.00O more during the year covered by this report than they cd during the previous year, the to- tai amount available from all sources for the public schools having been two and one-half million dollars.
 "The work done by the normal dicates healthful growth In all fea- lures. The facts in figures shown touching the agricultural schools are In like manner gratifying.
 "The University of Alabama. the Alabama Polytechnic Institute, the Girls Industrial School. the schools for the deaf. dumb and blind. in the increased efficiency of their work and in the increased enrolment have clearly demonstrated the wisdom of the Legislature in the appropriations which were made for them.
 The High Schools.
 , The high schools are, as is known in their infancy, only twenty-two of them having been operative during the year. They admit students only who can meet the entrance reuutre- ments for high school work Eleven hundred and sixty students were en- rolled in these twenty-two schools being about equally divided between the males and females. Of this num- Der 40S were students who did not live in the towns In which the schools are located.
 Tn conclusion. basing my opinion upon the figures shown in this report upon my observation and travels over the State. and upon the general tenor of current thought. I am brought to the conclusion that there has never been a year in the history of the State more prosperous along educational lines than the period covered by this report-the year ending September 30, 1909.
 T am sure this must be source of pleasure to you, as Governor of the State, as 1t is to me as Superintendent of Education. and as 1t is to every person in the State who is interested in the education Of our boys and girls.
 T feel that should neglect a bounden duty If I did not take this opportunity to thank you on behalf of every member connected with the Department of Education for your un- form cooperation and courtesy. Without these. the gratifying results which are indicated in my report would have been impossible.
 "In this official document I wish to vice rendered by my office force. The meu1beru 0f fhe State Uaa rd aS IT,