NO. OF PUPILS ENROLLED IN EACH BRANCH OF STUDY. Since the addition of the study of the Elements of Agriculture to our Public School curriculum, an increase is shown each year in the number of pupils pursuing the same-there are 386 more this year than last. NO. OF AVERAGE DAILY ATTENDANCE. White.... Total... 150,502 41,901 .... 192,403 The report of the average daily attendance is not quite so large as last year, which is explained by the fact that several large counties failed to report this particular item. The most of these gave satisfactory reasons why it could not be correctly done. For instance, in Dyer county the Superintendent was called to another field of labor about the time his report should have been made to this office, and his successor was unable to find this particular part of the record. In McNairy county the Superintendent's house was burned, and with it his school statistics; so he was only able to report such facts as could be gathered in a general way. Assuming that all the counties which have failed to report the average daily attendance of pupils could show as good attendance, according to population, as those which have reported, our table would show a considerable increase over that of last year. Value of school-houses erected during the year... 58,394 84 Total estimated value of school property.........$1,375,780 86 PRIVATE SCHOOLS. Number taught during the year, 865. Average daily attendance, 20,503. Average cost of tuition per pupil per month, $1.52. NORMAL INSTITUTES. A most favorable indication in this report is the increase of interest in teachers' institutes, as shown by the fact that a greater number were held and a larger number of teachers attended them than in any previous year. In addition to the County Institutes reported, the State Superintendent spent three months last summer superintending State Institutes. For this work he secured the services of a number of our ablest educators, such as Capt. W. R. Garrett, Supt. Frank M. Smith, Dr. N. T. Lupton, Prof. A. P. Bourland, Prof. T. C. Karns, Prof. J. S. Griffin, Supt. M. R. Abernathy, and several others, for the benefit of white teachers; and Prof. A. J, Steele. Prof. H. H. Wright, and Prof. M. E. Ridley, for colored teachers. These gentlemen were aided by most excellent teachers and earnest institute workers. For full information as to this work of Normal Institutes, reference is made to the reports of the gentlemen by whom they were held, to be found in the Appendix. Capt. W. R. Garrett held one at each of the following places: Adamsville, McNairy county; Centerville, Hickman county; Hartsville, Trousdale county; Fayetteville, Lincoln county, and Sparta, White county. Supt. Frank M. Smith held one at the following places: Dyersburg, Dyer county; Jackson, Madison county; Charleston, Bradley county; Blountville, Sullivan county; and Clinton, Anderson county. At all these I was present and witnessed the work done. COUNTY INSTITUTES. The reports of County Superintendents show a very decided increase of interest on the part of teachers in County Institutes, there having been held 349 during the year-an increase of 98 over the number held during the preceding year. Many of these were well attended; much interest prevailed, and the participants returned to their school-rooms strengthened and cheered for doing good work. As evidence of the good results of these meetings, the following account, taken from a communication of a Hickman county gentleman, recently published in one of our daily newspapers, is given: "At present there is a good sentiment throughout the country in favor of education. Last year the educational interest was worked up to a high degree. Three years ago there were but two or three good schools in this county. The educational interest was at a low ebb. Nothing like institute work or normal methods had ever been introduced. "Last July Hon. Thomas H. Paine, being earnestly solicited, held a State Teachers' Institute at Centreville. The institute convened at the Centreville High School building. At first there were only a few teachers present, and they seemed drawn by curiosity; but when the work of the institute began the curious became interested, the attendance increased daily, and many of our citizens became greatly enthused on the subject of education. The local and visiting teachers immediately organized a County Institute. We have had four successful meetings since, with good results. The impetus given by the State Institute will result in great good. The teachers have been edified and stimulated. This stimulus has spread among the people and the result is most gratifying, for within the past six months many new and comfortable school-houses have been erected, and good teachers from other parts of the country have been employed." STATE AID ASKED. These State Institutes were supported by the Peabody Education Fund, $1,500 having been furnished by the General Agent of that fund, Dr. J. L. M. Curry, for this purpose. In view of the fact that the Board of Trustees of the Peabody Education Fund have indicated by resolution that the policy of helping only those who help themselves will hereafter be adopted by them, the teachers and citizens attending our State Institutes have passed resolutions asking a small appropriation out of the school fund for the support of institutes. These resolutions are on file in this office and will be submitted to the Legislature at its next session. GRADED COUNTRY SCHOOLS. One particular feature of the institute work of the past summer was that of encouraging the grading of country schools. Several counties have begun this work during the year, so the grading of our schools and the pursuit of a regular course of study with a definite plan of work is progressing steadily. |