The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1916-07-14
PUBLIC lISIlUC
DEPARTMENT Is [
In Addition IN Working Ont r.
Next Seasons Work Thlrsbo 8
Normals Get Attentaon.
VACATION SCHOOLS !,
superintendent Stearncs CompfIeo
teresting Figures From OMlclae
cords OF last Dccade-xrugre
Most Gratifying. "

These are busy days at the DNI6
ment of Public Instruction. B11
mapping out plans for next sesste
work, the officials have been ~
directing the activities OF twenty-tEx
normal schools and twenty odd vq<
ton schools of the State.
The enrolment of the former 4
broken all previous records- ON
six thousand students are In atte&1
ance. This fact liz exceedingly gra43f
ing to the department officials. G92
shows a laudable desire on the p
Of Virginia teachers to secure DIM
fessional training and thus incfe
the value of their work to vast -
tent. The faculties of the norx1
schools are well manned and the ci46
room conveniences are all that c00S
be desired. The cheapness OF Hatn
makes, these schools within the re4c
OF all teachers.
Last summer the department inAu2
gurated number of '.vacatie
schools" in the isolated parts of IT,
State These schools were desieut
to meet the educational needs Of ~
and young alike in those sections c.
lacking or were regretfully limited r.
scope. The idea was an entirely ft4xll
one in the State. yet its success Na@
most encouraging. The enrollmNMX
was excellent and the quantity ~
quality of work done was very kf1t1
flying.
At each school this summer are stas1
toned two experienced teachers--oG
to handle the children. the othsr 41
instruct the adults. Glasses are c.
Quoted at night for those who can
not attend in the day. Not only
instruction given in reading and Wf1&25
ing. but number of practical eu&
jects are taught. Last year ovor E%
500 people attended these schools
large proportion of them being mG1
ried One of the department inspec
ors has been placed in charge r.
these vacation schools by State Sup0
intendent Stearnes. -----.-----. 81
The school year closing June - yO
veaied progress along all lines. I'M
creased enrolment and better. 6ua}
attendance were the outstanding -
lures. A marked increase In IocGI
levies was also noticeable, while elG~
erection Of scores Of substan11G<
school buildings gives further evidom1
Of thoroughly awakened intsrngt t.
education @s
These facts and others Of . sdtn1l
cant nature were developed In the -
tendents hell in Richmond. rroA
every quarter came evidence OF unit
ed effort and gratifying progress. ~
cords were broken in enrolment, aNs
erage attendance, extension Of sch06&
terms, development OF teaching f0FQ1
Qualification and stmpiffication Of cl11
ricuia. reduction Of iiliteracy. and f.
developing a closer union Of 0fle4<
between teacher and patron.
From this point of vantage. II q tSS1
spring to glance backwars for evai
one decade. Perhaps no State In M
none can surpass II. Here 1t Ia AZ cot1S
piled by superintendent Stearnes fF0N
official records;
Schools increased from s.s13 to 11ya
843
Teachers increased from s.of1 a
1850.
Enrolment Increased from se1.A
to 472,210.
High School increased from ~
572. Nh
School leagues increased from 1ANa
to s57.
Demonstration work estabiishe13
among boys and girls.
Annual school revenues Increases
from e2.432,102 to s7.101.76s..
Value OF school property Increases
from s4.2s7,s25 to $15,o3b,eo
Three splendid State Normal 6chO61
built and equipped.
The perfection Of a State system -
the certification of teachers.
Since 1912 the enrolment In g.
schools has been increased to q grea4&
er extent than during the precedtn
twenty years.