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SUMMARIES.

The statistical tables which follow this statement are as complete and accurate as could be made. The reports of the county superintendents have been tabulated with great care and nothing has been left undone to secure from them every item of information bearing on the school situation. A careful study of these figures will show that reasonable progress along public educational lines is being made and that the public school system is being steadily developed. Of course, we have no ideal condition-we do not yet even approximate it but there are many evidences of growth and progress which are encouraging.

The scholastic population is approximately the same as in the previous report, being less than 1,000 in excess of what it was last year; but the enrollment and attendance are both considerably in advance of all previous records, there being more than 10,000 increase in enrollment and 8,000 in attendance. The condition indicated by these figures, however, are still far from satisfactory. Only 71 per cent of the scholastic population is enrolled in the public schools, and only 49 per cent in actual attendance. It is true that the scholastic population includes many persons who cannot be expected in school-the legal school age limits being six to twenty-one-but after all allowances are made it is dissappointing to the school authorities to realize that thousands of young people who ought to be in school are for some reason or other being deprived of educational advantages. This unsatisfactory condition exists not only in the country districts, but even in the cities, there being less than 58 per cent of the city school population enrolled and 43 per cent in attendance.

It would seem from this recital that a compulsory school attendance law is needed. It is true that there are local attendance laws in about 33 counties of the State, but owing to the multiplicity of excuses accepted and their local operation, they are indifferently enforced. In some counties where serious attempts have been made at enforcement the results are gratifying. Few states are without some form of school attendance laws, and conditions are such in Tennessee as to demand, we believe, the passage of such a law by the coming General Assembly.

Tables VII and VIII appear in these statistics for the first time this year. A movement for consolidation and transportation is making headway all over the country and it has been deemed wise to collect annually statistics concerning it in this State. It will be noted here that there are a number of schools with three teachers, and more, already in Tennessee. It will be seen, however, that the majority of them are in counties having large cities. These tables show that 148 small schools have been abandoned during the year, that there are now 26 public school wagons in use in five counties and that 667 pupils are being hauled daily to school. This is small in comparison with the large school attendance, but it indicates that a beginning is being made towards a solution of a great problem.

Table XI gives a very encouraging record, showing that the total value of school property for year ending June 30, 1912, is more than two million dollars in excess of the value in 1911.

Table XII is as correct as can be made under the circumstances, and it is believed that it is much more dependable than the same table of the preceding year. No increase in the length of the school term is shown, but teachers' salaries have advanced considerably both in county elementary schools and in city schools, and the average monthly salary paid to teachers is about $6 in excess of what it was the previous year. The average yearly salary, especially for elementary teachers, is still discouragingly small, but the fact that it is increasing gives hope for a satisfactory minimum at no distant date.

Tables XVIII and XIX which present a financial statement of the public school situation in Tennessee show a gratifying improvement over all previous years. These tables have been worked out very carefully and are as accurate as the reports from the various counties will permit. It will be noted here that the receipts from the State, county and cities are all considerably in excess of last year, the total for the year ending June 30, 1912, being $695,812 more than that for 1911. It should be stated right here that there are many items of school revenue which are not accounted for in this report. There is no law compelling cities or incorporated towns to make reports to county superintendents or to the State Superintendent, and in consequence any funds which are being raised in many towns and cities

by special approrpiation or otherwise do not appear in this record. The larger cities furnish reports because of their pride in the system, but it appears impossible to secure any data from many small towns in the State which have independent Boards of Education. There ought to be some revision of the law which would compel every school unit to make a report, not only of revenues received from State and county officials, but also of that raised by special local taxation or otherwise.

I have added to the comparative summaries a page of statistics setting forth in brief the facts for the year ending June 30, 1912, and I have made certain calculations based on these figures as to school expenditures which, it is hoped, will be of general interest.

SUMMARY OF STATISTICS FOR YEAR ENDING JUNE 30, 1912.

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SUMMARY OF STATISTICS FOR YEAR ENDING JUNE 30, 1912.

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TABLE I-SCHOLASTIC POPULATION BEtween the Ages
OF SIX AND TWENTY-ONE YEARS.

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TABLE II-SCHOLASTIC POPULATION WHO CAN READ AND WRITE.

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