tions. It has nowhere been argued, it will not be here. Suffice it to say that parents who are indifferent to the interests of their children are enemies to the State; and, further, that the obligations of the State to the unfortunate children of such parents are such that all its power must be extended to educate them in spite of the indifference or unconcern of their parents. There are few states without such a law and Tennessee can not afford to experiment longer with this phase of the educational problem. The way to increase attendance, to make all the children of all the people literate is for the State to say every child must attend school. EVIDENCES OF PROGRESS. The general statistics compiled for this report indicate reasonable and satisfactory progress. The enrollment table shows an increase of 10,000 and the attendance table of 8,000 over the previous year. The financial statement indicates improvement in every phase of the work; the total revenues are $695,000 in excess of last year; the value of school property has increased more than $2,000,000, and teachers' salaries, including county, · high and city teachers, have advanced from $42 to $48. In addition to these general statistics I am giving below information which has been reported to the office from time to time in regard to improved conditions. Of course, it has not been possible to collect data concerning every advanced step in education in the State during the present biennial period, but a number of instances are recorded here as indicating some of the lines of progress. Hamblen County increased poll tax from $1.50 to $2.00. Every county in the State, except ten, now shares in the 10 per cent equalizing fund; that is, eighty-six counties levy a property tax of 40 cents or more, $2.00 poll tax, and all the privilege taxes which the laws of the State permit counties to levy for school purposes. SPECIAL SUPERVISORS. One of the most urgent needs of country schools at this time is more intelligent supervision of their work. It is recognized that even those county superintendents who are paid sufficient salary to give all their time to school work cannot hope to visit schools often enough or stay long enough to render satisfactory supervisory service. There is need of supervisors for primary work, of supervisors for grade work, and especially of expert supervisors of industrial work. Some of the counties of Tennessee have realized this need and are endeavoring to supply it. During the last few months ap pointments have been made as follows: Madison County has appointed a supervisor of agricultural work at a salary of $1,200 per year. The appointee supervises science teaching in all the schools and gives general direction for demonstration plots at the large schools of the county. The County Superintendent reports that the action of the Board in making this appointment has met with great favor among farmers and patrons of the schools. Bradley County has appointed a rural school supervisor at a salary of $55 per month and expenses. The County Superintendent reports her duties as follows: "She has charge of the Tomato Club and School Improvement work of the county, with headquarters in Superintendent's office, where she spends one day out of each week. Her work is mainly in the rural districts. Here she organizes the School Improvement Leagues and co-operates with them in raising funds to beautify and make more sanitary the school buildings. She makes a report of funds secured for this purpose to the Board. The Board then supplements the fund. She at the request of the teacher, visits the homes of pupils who are absent and if possible induces them to return. She corresponds with companies, securing best prices on paints, pictures, drinking fountains, etc. She complies with the requests of Board and Superintendent in doing other work, which they, in their discretion, see fit for her to do." Knox County has appointed a supervisor of agriculture at a salary of $1,800 per year. The County Superintendent thus describes his work: "Both the grammar school and high school boards are planning to emphasize agriculture in the schools, and for this reason Mr. Phillips has been employed to teach the pupils the advantages of rotation of crops, selecting proper seeds, proper cultivation and many other phases of crop growing that the average school boy knows nothing at all about. Mr. Phillips is principal of our agricultural high school; the Board has established three others, and he will have supervision over them all. We believe this move will result in much good to the schools of the country. Mr. Phillips is a graduate of Cornell University." Davidson County has appointed a supervisor of primary work at a salary of $70 per month. Her work is thus described by the County Superintendent: "Miss Julia M. Green has charge of the primary grades in Shwab School at a salary of $50. In addition to this our County Board has appointed her supervisor of primary work for the county. For this work she receives $20 per month additional. Miss Green has an assistant at Shwab who teaches the primary grades during her absence. As supervisor she outlines the primary work of our schools, and at each monthly institute instructs primary teachers in methods and subject matter for the next month. Her duty also is to visit schools and by personal inspection suggest needed improvement. In this work she is required to give special attention to schools where I think her services are most needed. So far, this plan of special supervision has worked admirably." Shelby County has made provision for a supervisor of primary work, but no appointment has yet been made. The action taken by these counties is in line with most advanced educational progress. Other counties have the matter under advisement and it is believed that a number of supervisors of special phases of country school work will be appointed within the next few months. We are urging this matter upon county authorities because we believe it is an absolutely necessary step. CONSOLIDATION AND TRANSPORTATION. Attention has already been called to the progress of the consolidation movement in Tennessee, but it is proper to repeat here the recent developments along this line. |