Annual report of the Board of Education
Massachusetts. Board of Education
rm» M>OK->Ljkia W Ik •< FORTY-SIXTH ANNUAL KEPORT BOARD OF EDUCATION T^OGETHER WITH THE FORTY-SIXTH ANNUAL REPORT SECRETARY OF THE BOARD, 1881-82. January, 1883, BOSTON : WRIGHT & POTTER PRINTING CO., STATE PRINTERS. 18 Post Office Squark. 1883. \)l/\)Ull.l CONTENTS. Page. I. — Report op Board of Education, 7-15 II. — Reports of Visitors to the Normal Schools 19-44 Bridgewater, 19 Framingham, 22 Salem, 27 Westfield, 31 Worcester, . . . • 36 Massachusetts Normal Art -School, 40 III. — Secretary's Report, 47-142 Summary of Statistics, 47 The Deaf and Blind, 49 American Asylum, 50 Clarke Institution, 51 Horace Mann School, 53 Statistics of Beneficiaries, 55 Perkins Institution for the Blind, 56 Income of Massachusetts School Fund, ...... 58 Analysis of the Returns, 59 School Attendance, 61 Duties of School Committees, 68 Courses of study for Country Schools, 77 Normal Schools, 82 High Schools, 85 Agents of the Board, 86 Teachers' Institutes, 87 Massachusetts Statistics, 89 School Legislation, 91 IV. — Financial Statement, 144 V. — Manual Training in the Common Schools. Report of Committee of the Board, 155 VI. — Hand-Work Instruction In Sweden. By Professor J. M. Ordway, 163 VII. — Manual Instruction in D wight School, Boston, .... 217 VIII. — Report of George A. Walton, Agent of the Board, . . . 227 IX. — Report of E. A. Hubbard, Agent of the Board, .... 239 X. — Lessons on Color in Primary Schools. By Miss Lucretia Crocker, 247 XI. — Some European Industrial Art Schools. By C. M. Carter, . 261 XII. — Abstracts of School Statistics, i Index, cxxxv Digitized by the Internet Arciiive in 2009 witii funding from Boston Library Consortium IVIember Libraries littp://www.arcliive.org/details/annualreportofbo8182mass STATE BOARD OF EDUCATIOI^, 1883. EX OFFICIO. His ExCErxEXCY BENJAMIN F. BUTLER, Governor. His Hoxok OLIVER AMES, Lieuie?iant Governor. B T APPOINTMENT. Hon. CHARLES B. RICE, Danvers,. Hox. E. B. STODDARD, Worcester,. ALONZO A. MINER, D D , Boston, .. Col. T. W. HIGGINSON, Cambridge, ADMIRAL P. STONE, LL.D., .... Springfield, Miss ABBY W J^L4Y, Boston, .. Hon. M. B. WHITNEY, Westfield,. FRANCIS A. WALKER, LL D., .  1885 1886 1887 1888 1889 1890 SECRETART. JOHN W. DICKINSON, A.M., .. Newton. ASSISTANT SECRETARY AND TREASURER. C. B. TILLINGHAST, Boston. AGENTS GEORGE A. WALTON, A.M.,. ELI A. HUBBARD, AM., . .. GEORGE H. MARTIN, A.M.,. . . Newton. Springfield. Bridgewater. BOARD or EDUCATION r ANNUAL REPORT. In accordance with the requirements of the statutes of the Commonwealth, the Board of Education herewith respectfully submits to the legislature its Forty-sixth Annual Eeport. In the discharge of this annual duty, subjects ueccssarily come up for consideration which have been treated in former reports, some of them, as a matter of course, quite frequently. To give an account of the doings of the Board during the year ; to speak of the condition and efficiency of the schools, and to make suggestions for their improvement, and fur extending their usefulness, will, from time to time, lead to lines of thought and of remark of considerable similarity ; although the treatment of those similar topics may vary in the hands of dif- ferent writers of the reports, and may reach classes of readers changing somewhat from year to year. Regular monthly meetings, and several special meetings of the Board have been held during the year, and the various sub- committees and boards of Visitors of the several Normal Schools have also held frequent sessions, and all the various interests with the oversight of which the Board is charged have re- ceived careful consideration and action. The Secretary of the Board, by another year's faithful labors in behalf of the schools, has commended himself to the favora- ble consideration of all well-wishers of popular education. His thorough knowledge of the principles of education, and his prac- tical grasp of the character and details of school work, enable him to present in his report, to which special attention is in- vited, valuable information and suggestions upon the condition and needs of the schools of the Commonwealth. The Board desires to call the attention of the legislature to the fact, that the Secretary is now receiving a salary less than he received 8 BOAKD OF EDUCATION. when he was principal of one of the State normal schools, and less than is now paid to any of the principals of those schools. Several city snperintendents and principals of high schools receive a higher salary than the Commonwealth pays to the head of her school system, having the practical oversight of all her schools. The eminent abilities of the Secretary, and his ca- pacity for practical work, are well known far beyond the limits of this State ; and it would seem to be but an act of justice that the Commonwealth should show her appreciation of that officer's services, by a liberal increase of his salary. It is a source of congrati!ilation to the Board, and to the pub- lic also, to be able to record the passage of an act by the last legislature, abolishing the school district system in those towns of the Commonwealth where it still existed. The act goes into effect January 1, 1883. The district system was not a feature of the earliest schools of Massachusetts ; its origin dated back only to near the close of the last century. At that time, there were no cities, and few villages with a dense population. The people, largely agri- cultural in their pursuits, were more evenly distributed over the towns than at present, though sometimes more sparsely. The district system was a division of areas, rather than of population or pupils ; and as such, it was a mere matter of convenience. But the conditions of our population have since changed entirely. The great increase and concentration of the pupils have long since rendered this system an obstacle to the management and improvement of the schools ; and wherever, during the last thirty years, the districts have been abolished, it has been found that fewer school-houses,- in proportion to the population, are needed ; a better classification of pupils is se- cured : and a more even distribution of good school accom- modations and well qualified teachers is given to the towns. A more just expenditure of school money, and a more economi- cal administration of the schools, in every way, have been the invariable results of the town instead of the district sys- tem. By the abolition of the district system, the small towns, and the small districts with few pupils, hive always received the greatest benefit. The resolve of the last legislature authorizing the Board to appoint an additional agent was not passed in season to secure REPOET OF THE BOARD. 9 that officer's services before the summer vacation of the schools. In the month of August Mr. George H. Martin, for a number of years a teacher in the Briclgewater Normal School, was ap- pointed agent, and at once entered upon his duties. Mr. Mar- tin's well-known ability as a teacher, and his character as a man, seemed to the Board to indicate his peculiar fitness for the place, and to give promise of success in the work to which he was appointed. In this respect the expectations of the Board have not been disappointed. Mr. Martin has made a very favorable impression at the institutes and wherever he has appeared ; and it is believed that the wisdom of his appoint- ment will be fully justified by his success. The office of the agents of the Board is one of great useful- ness, and their labor in the schools and among the people is of the highest importance to the educational work of the State. As assistants to the Secretary of the Board, whose duties are various and extend to all parts of the State, the agents parti- cipate largely in the work of the institutes, visit and address schools, and give suggestions and advice to the teachers ; hold conferences with school committees, and give public educa- tional addresses and talks to the citizens of the towns and neighborhood, who frequently come together in evening assem- blies for that purpose. In the sparsely settled regions of the State, these visits and talks are almost the only outside encour- agement and impulse the people receive in their struggles to maintain good schools for their children. All the Secretaries of this Board, since the first appointment of agents, more than thirty years ago, have given emphatic endorsement to the util- ity of their employment ; and there is probably no other agency by which the Board and its Secretary can so well come in con- tact with the people, and gather information concerning the practical working of the schools and their needs, as through the visits and reports of these agents. The teachers and the people welcome them, and urge them to repeat their visits. During the past year the agents have devoted themselves faith- fully and successfully to the discharge of their duties. Atten- tion is invited to their reports, which will accompany that of the Secretary. Twenty-two institutes have been held during the year under the direction of the Secretary of the Board and the agents. 10 BOARD OF EDUCATION. with some assistance also from the teachers of the normal schools and others. They have been attended by about two thousand teachers, and by many school committees and citi- zens representing the localities where the institutes were held, and other adjoining towns. These institutes become a kind of extemporized normal school, where candidates for teaching and teachers fresh from the school-room meet for a brief time to receive instruction, and to gather new inspiration and impulse for their work among the children and youth. It is the mii- versal testimony of the teachers and the people in towns where institutes have been held, that there is long afterward felt there a quickening interest in the schools and in education generally. Within two years after the establishment and organization of this Board, the first normal school tor the training of teachers in America was opened (July, 1839), as an experiment, at Lexington in this State. The school began with three pupils, but its success and appreciation by the educational public wore not long delayed ; and now, after a period of forty-three years, normal schools are no longer regarded in Massachusetts as an experiment. They have a history and a recognized character that entitle them to be classed among the most efficient educa- tional agencies of the State. Beginning in the face of indiffer- ence, incredulity and opposition, they have won recognition by actual success. In the five normal schools under the care of the Board, there have been enrolled since their organization more than eleven thousand four hundred (11,400) pupils, of whom five thou- sand seven hundred (5,700) have graduated after completing the full course of the schools. The number of pupils enrolled in the Normal Art School since its beginning in 1873 is 1,194. Certificates for completing the work have been issued to 260 of Class A ; 82 of Class B ; 23 of Class C ; and 32 of Class D. The demand for normal trained teachers is constantly greater than the ability of the normal schools to supply. At present, somewhat more than thirty per cent, of the teachers in the public schools of the Commonwealth have received more or less professional training in normal schools. These schools are at present doing a good work, and may be regarded as in a hcallhv condition, as will be more fully shown EEPORT OF TlIK BOARD. 11 by the reports of Ibe several boards of Visitors. This Board respectfully commends llic normal schools to the wise consider- ation of the legislature and to the generous patronage of the public. In those countries where the work of teaching is most suc- cessfully done, and where the best schools are found, the spe- cial training of teachers for their work has received careful attention ; and normal schools, or teachers' training schools, as they are called in some countries, have come to be considered an indispensable feature of their educational system. Some of the ablest statesmen of this and of other countries have given their approval of such schools as both wise and economical in the support and administration of public schools. Well-trained teachers secure better organization in schools, and employ the best methods of teaching, thereliy saving much time and doing better work for the pupil. In securing good order in school, in the work of discipline and moral training, normal teachers are mor,e likely to excel, inasmuch as they make the child nature, — moral, mental and physical, — a subject of special study, and on the knowledge derived from that study base , their methods of tcachinir imd school manao-ement. Teachin2: C!.; o o is a work that requires rare qualifications, both as respects natural ability and fitness, and the training of the teacher's powers. The difference in schools is substantially the dif- ference in teachers. An expenditure for poor teaching is a pecuniary waste, and a waste of the golden opportunities of childhood ; wdiile the cost of a good teacher is a profitable investment and a blessing to the community. With the changes that take place in the growth of our coun- try, in the rapid development of a great variety of business interests, and of our civilization itself, new features of educa- tional woik are forced into prominence, and demand consid- eration. Of this character is the subject of technical and industrial education, — a subject that has received much atten- tion in many European countrjes, and one that has taken tan- gible form in a variety of schools, — public, endowed and private ; and in reformatory and charitable institutions. All such schools will, of course, depend much in their character upon the circumstances of the people among whom and for whom they are established and supported. In this country 12 BOARD OF EDUCATION. this subject is newer, and has engaged less attention than abroad. But this Board has not been, and is not now, indiffer- ent to the importance of technical education ; nor has it been ■inattentive to what has been done for it in this and in other countries. At several limes during the past ten or more years, quite elaborate and important papers upon the subject have appeared in connection with the reports of this Board aud its Secretary ; and during the present year some investigations have been made by a special committee of the Board, the results of which will appear in the Appendix to this report. The intense eagerness of the American people to mak* capital and labor produce the greatest results, and the greatest amount of good to the public, will doubtless, ere long, compel a fuller investigation and discussion of technical education. Its very importance, and the complications that may arise in attempting to engraft upon our own peculiar institutions systems that have grown up in other countries and under circumstances widely different from our own, alike forbid that the subject should be thrust aside without a careful and unprejudiced investiga- tion, or that hasty and inconsiderate attempts should be made to incorporate it into our own system of common schools. Any real improvement in those schools, that will enable them the better to prepare our children for intelligent citizenship, and will likewise make education the handmaid of labor, will be joyfully welcomed by the American people, and will do much also to insure the perpetuity of the schools themselves. Another kind of educational work of rising importance is the peculiar system of elementary training, known as the Kindergarten, — a system which aims, by simple and natural methods, to lead the child-mind to form habits of observa- tion, of self-activity, and self-development; and thus to be- come, under judicious training, a self-educator. The principles of this system seem to be founded upon a knowledge of child- nature as learned by wise anc] observing teachers and mothers. The great importance of our primary schools, the only grade of schools of whose advantages all our children partake ; and the general feeling among educators that there is now in those schools too much drudgery, considerable waste of time and effort, and not sufficient attention given to imbuing the child with a fcmdness for learning, should move us to welcome any REPORT OF THE BOARD. 13 light upon the subject that may appear within the sphere of our observation. In some portions of our country the Kinder- garten has been adopted as the first step in public primary training. In Massachusetts its public use is confined to a very few instances; although, under the auspices of private enterprise and munificence, it has become quite well known to many of our teachers and to a portion of the public. It is more than probable that the primary schools may yet be greatly benefited by hints obtained from a careful study and observation of kindergarten principles and methods. There*are not a few towns in the Commonwealth upon whose people the burden of supporting schools falls somewhat heavily, for the reason that there is but a small and scattered population, with little property, to bear the expense. Within the last forty years great changes have taken place in the distribution of population and wealth. Business and capital are now con- centrated in cities and large towns. Many of the country farms and village workshops have been abandoned, and their former occupants have sought the business centres, where more constant and remunerative employment and better social ad- vantages can be enjoyed. In this movement the young people and families with children have largely joined. Hence, in the localities thus left, with the increase of population checked, and with business oftentimes almost at a standstill, it is only by great pecuniary and personal sacrifice that ordinary schools can be maintained for the few children there found. In view of these facts, the question arises whether these communities are not entitled to special consideration at the hands of the State. The problem of securing economical local supervision of the schools, in the smaller towns of the State, is one that needs attention, and perhaps legislation. In the cities and larger towns, special supervision is easily secured ; but in smaller com- munities the employment of a supervisor for each single town would be an expensive measure, and in a majority of such towns the amount of work to be done would not be sufficient to occupy the whole time of one person. In two instances in the Stale, two adjoining towns have elected the same person superintendent ; the towns themselves agreeing upon a division of his time among their schools respectively ; also upon the 14 BOARD OF EDUCATION. ])oi"tioa of his salary to be paid by each town. It is reported that in the cases here cited this plan has met with success, and there does not appear any weighty reason why it may not be generally adopted, including sometimes, if desirable, a group of several towns. No legislation is necessary for it, it beuig plainly within the power of the towns and their school authorities, to whom the local management of the schools be- longs. If in any case, on account of peculiarities of location or for other reasons, this plan is not feasible, relief could be obtained, perhaps, if school committees would select one of tlK.'ir own number as general school supervisor, alt-hough it miirht not be necessary that he should give hi^ whole time to the work; in which case, compensation could be regulated ac- C(n'dingly, and little if any legislation would be needed to carry out the plan, ^uch a course would give unity to the schools and their work; and, as a supervisor, thus appointed, would generally be supposed to be selected on account of his fitness for the place, it would also have a tendency to increase the general efficiency of the schools. In many small towns, in some other States, where this plan has been tried, a school superintendent is now regarded by the people, as indispensable for the best interests of the schools. Those best acquainted with educational work have long felt that the two great needs of the schools are improved supeivision and teaching; and, as one of the legitimate results of good supervision is the employ- ment of better teachers, it seems highly desirable that the wisest and most judicious plan attainable, should be adopted for the oversight of the schools ; a plan that shall carry its good influences to every school-house in the Commonwealth. The first Secretary of this Board, remarked in his first report, that " The object of the common-school system of Massachu- setts was to give to every child in the Commonwealth, a free, straight, solid pathway, by which he could walk directly up from the ignorance of an infant, to a knowledge of the primary duties of a man, and could acquire a power and an invincible will to discharge them." Forty-tive years have elapsed since that remark was made, and yet its language as happily charac- terizes the scope of the schools to-day, as it did when uttered by its distinguished author. He had an abiding faith that the schools would improve, and that the people would keep them REPORT OF THE BOARD. 15 well abreast of the progress and the prosperity of the Common- wealth. They have improved, and the Secretary of the Board, and the agents, will report that they have done excellent work during the year just closed. But there is yet room for more improvement, and there is also a public expectation that such improvement will be realized. It is not probable, however, that it will be attained by violence done to our system of in- struction, and least of all by any sensational innovations. To reduce or eliminate whatever is non-essential in matter or method, and to give greater prominence to what is most essen- tial ; to adapt the schools to the wants of our people and insti- tutions, and to the age, and to make them do their part towards realizing the highest type of manhood and of womanhood, would seem to be the urgent duty of the present hour. The attainment of that high object is worthy of the most serious attention and the best efforts of legislators and people. JOHN D. LONG, ex officio. ^ BYRON WESTON, ex officio. CHARLES B. RICE. ELIJAH B. STODDARD, ALONZO A. MINER. • THOMAS WEN nVORTH HIGGINSON. ADMIRAL P. STONE. ABBY W. MAY. MILTON B. WHITNEY. FRANCIS A. WALKER. Boston, Dec. 11, 1882. EEPORTS OF VISITORS NORMAL SCHOOLS STATE NORMAL SCHOOL, BRIDGEWATER. Albert G. Boyden, A. M., Principal. The past year of this school has been devoted to its legiti- mate work as a normal training school. The various studies are carefully analyzed, arranged, and simplified, giving the students a distinct and complete view of the subjects to be taught in the public schools. The pupils study these subjects with direct reference to teaching them, and teach them in the daily class exercises, under the criticism of their fellow students and teachers. This criticism is applied to the student's knowl- edge of the subject, his ability to teach it, his use of the voice, his language, his manner, his capacity to use simple illustrations, and his power to control himself and others. Public sentiment is constantly demanding of teachers higher qualifications. To meet this, even the graduates of high schools and colleges need special preparation for teaching as much as for any other pro- fession. It is a cause of congratulation that two-thirds of the young men in the school, and many of the young ladies, are taking the four years' course of studies in their desire to meet these advanced requirements. That they act wisely in so doing is apparent from the fact that persons of good natural ability, who have graduated from this course, are in great demand for good positions in the public schools. The teachers of the school have knowledge, experience and skill. They are well enlisted in their work, and act together with entire harmony. But one change has occurred in the corps. Near the close of the first term of the year. Miss Mary H. Leonard was obliged to ask leave of absence on account of impaired health. Her place is temporarily filled by her sister, Miss Edith Leon- ard, formerly a teacher in the school. 20 BOARD OF EDUCATION. The statistics for the year ending July 1, 1882, arc as foUoAvs : — FiKST Term. Skcond Tekm. FoK The Year. Tekms Began Sept. 7, 1881, c c a u ^ AND Feb. 8, 1882. a M S »■ a • ■3 OS 1^ o c O ■3 ■3 o .2 H Members, 38 131 169 40 126 166 46 148 194 Entering classes,. 10 55 65 8 16 24 18 71 89 Graduates, 1 12 13 6 29 34 6 41 47 Received State aid, 8 11 19 13 14 27 14 17 31 Tlie whole number admitted to the school from its opening in 1840 up to July, 1882, has been 2,810: gentlemen, 931; ladies, 1,879. Number of graduates, 1,725; gentlemen, 590 ; ladies, 1,135. Of the number belonging to the school for the year, Plymouth County sent 59: Norfolk, 39; Bristol, 31; Middlesex, 23; Barnstable, 7; Suffolk, 5 ; Worcester, 3 ; Essex, 3 ; Dukes, 3 ; Berkshire, 1 ; the State of New Hampshire, 8 ; Maine, 3 ; Connecticut, 3 ; Pennsylvania, 2 ; Minnesota, New York, District of Columbia, Nova Scotia, each 1. Totals: Massachusetts (ten counties), 174; eight other States or Territories, 20. Tlie average age of those admitted daring the year has been 18 years 5 months ; of the gentlemen, 19 years; of the ladies, 18 years 3 months. Occupations of parents ; mechanics, 29; farmers, 21 ; traders, 9 ; manu- facturers, laborers, each 4; teachers, 3 ; book-keepers, butchers, collectors of customs, lawyers, sea-captains, eVxch 2 ; clergyman, clerk of court, editor, hotel keeper, insurance agent, mill agent, physician, salesman, each 1. Total, 89. Of the 89 candidates received, there came from high schools, 59 ; from academies and private schools, 20 ; from district s.chools, 5 ; from grammar schools, 4 ; from normal school,!. It will bo seen that the old criticism on normal schools, that they were merely substitutes for high, schools, has ceased to be applica.ble, at least as far as this school is concerned. The number of students pursuing the four years' course dur- ing the year has been 52; gentlemen, 29; ladies, 23. The number taking the two years' course, with some additional studies, has been 15. Of the 47 graduates for the year, 5 were from the four years' course. All, with the possible exception of one who has not been heard from, have engaged in teaching. Three are teaching out of the State, and all the others are now teaching in EEPORTS OF VISITORS. 21 the different grades of the public schools in the State. Most of them received invitations to teach in the counties from which they came, veiy soon after their graduation. The large ma- jority of them are reported as successful in their work, Some have had notable success. Some who failed in their first school, succeeded in their second. The applications for teachers have been several times as large as the number grad- uated. The last legislature appropriated a sum not exceeding $1,500 for necessary repairs upon the school building, these being mainly required by the fact that the cupola of the build- ing, originally too large, had caused the foundations to settle, thus becoming absolutely dangerous. During the last summer vacation the ceiling and cornice of the main school-room were removed, the attic flooring and the supports of the roof were strengthened, a new ceiling and cornice were made, and the walls were tinted. The whole upper section of the cupola was removed and a smaller section was substituted. The summary of the bills for this work was as follows : — George Haywavd, carpenter work, ...... $982 42 S. L. Washburn & Co., mason work, 292 22 Braman Brothers, painting, , 225 36 Total, $1,500 00 All of this has been accounted for by bills and receipts pre- sented to the building committee and State auditor. The school building was painted on the outside in June, 1876. Parts of it are now nearly bare, and the whole outside will need painting during the next summer to keep it in proper condition. An appropriation of $800 will be needed for this purpose. There should also be an appropriation of $200 for additional furniture, made necessary by the enlargement of the building two years ago, and for some additional cases for the specimens in natural history which are now greatly crowded, and therefore ill-arranged ; — making $1,000 in all. Respectfully submitted, THOS. WENTWORTH HIGGINSON, Visitor. 22 BOARD OF EDUCATION. STATE NORMAL SCHOOL, FRAMINGHAM. Miss Ellen Hyde, Principal. The school at Framingham has been in good condition dur- ing the past year, and has done its work steadily and quietly, with excellent results. The principal was absent during the first three weeks of September, 1881, and the school was or- ganized and managed for that time by Miss Davis. Miss Montgomery, who had been for several years a teacher in the St. Johnsbury Academy, began her work as teacher of Eng- lish and history, and has given growing satisfaction in that department. There were no other changes among the teachers during the year. At its close Miss Wight resigned, and will take a year for study and rest. She had been connected with the school for five years, and had endeared herself to all by her faithful work and thoughtful kindness. Her successor, Miss A. M. Kittredge, has had a long experience in teaching, and opportunities for study and observation abroad as well as at home. All the other teachers have been for some years in the school, and are mature and earnest women, well qualified f )r their work. It gives the Visitors great pleasure to bear testimony once more to their ability and devotion. Some changes have beeii made in the division of work. Chief among these is the change in Miss Ellen Williams's position. Heretofore she has been at the head of the grammar department in the model school, teaching there some hours each day. At the opening of the school in September, 1882, she was relieved of the duty of teaching, and was made super- visor and critic of the teaching work of the Normal schol- ars. A small additional appropriation by the school board of Framingham made it possible to employ an experienced te:icher for the grammar department. Thus that school was not allowed to suffer from the change, which is jn^oving of even greater. value and importance than was expected. The practice-work is under much more close and careful inspection than was possible before, and this great gain has not been off- EEPORTS OF VISITORS. 23 set by any loss. The model school under Miss Williams's care has become a flourishing and popular school, all of whose grad- uates, without exception, have taken a first rank in the high schools to which they have been admitted, in Marlborough, Southborough and Framingham, and have taken excellent rank in the Boys' Latin School and the Prince School of Boston. And this not because they were selected scholars for our school. They were not better, probably, than the average ; but under our care they have been admirably trained in the use of their faculties, and school work has been made plain and pleasant to them, in spite of the fact that the course is not exceptionally easy, and is exceedingly thorough. In this connection it is proper to speak again of the need of better accommodations for this model school. At present it is crowded, and the rooms that can be spared for it are far from suitable. It would, we think, be a wise use of money for the State to build a small and plain school-house on its own land, near to the present school building. It is quite possible that the town of Framingham, instigated by those of its citizens who have known personally of the value of the school and the need of better rooms for it, might give a part of the money needed. The greatest value of the school is, of course, to the Normal scholars ; but the town reaps a steady and very great advan- tage from it, and this fact is constantly more and more recog- nized. The seventy children now under our charge might readily, if we had proper accommodation, be increased to one hundred, who would stay with us through the whole course, and thus furnish every grade of primary and grammar work for the practice of the Normal classes. The class entering the Normal School in February was the largest mid-year class for several years. Its quality was very good, and the same may be said of the quality of the Septem- ber class. The young ladies were better prepared than the average of our pupils. But there is great room for improve- ment in this respect, although a decided gain has been made in the last few years. Much time and efibrt, that ought to be available for professional study and practice, are still expended in reviewing and strengthening elementary work. The spirit of the young ladies has been of the best. They have been faithful and earnest in their work, and right in their relations 24 BOARD OF EDUCATION. with the teachers and with one another. They have done their part toward making the school a delightful one to visit. The reports of former graduates continue to be good. So far as heard from they are giving satisfaction in their various positions. The demand upon us for teachers is always greater than we can supply. Daring the year, in addition to short addresses from Dr. Miner and Mr. Dickinson of the Board of Education and from the Superintendent of Education at Ottawa, Canada, we have been favored with lectures from Mr. Marshall on Colorado (with illustrations) ; Mrs. Leavitt on Temperance; Rev. L. R. Eastman, Jr., on early American literature; Professor W. P. Atkinson on teaching history (two), and on "Hobbies." At the close of the winter term, Mr. J. T. Prince, Superintcn- tendent of Schools of Watertown, gave an address on " Where, what and how to teach." During the year we have received gifts of a bust of Shake- speare and photographs and valuable books from the income of the Todd fund, and from the graduating classes and other friends. In April, the entire school attended the meeting of the Mid- dlesex County Teachers' Association, in Boston. The advanced classes spent a day in the Art Museum, with Miss Montgomery. The money appropriated by the last legislature for repairs has done a much-needed work in the way of painting and other improvements. The problem of drainage is still unsolved, and presses upon us for action. Officers of the State Board of Health have given it their study, and all agree in thinking it needful to make some radical change without more loss of time. We de- sire to present plans for the work to the proper legislative com- mittee, and shall ask for an appropriation to carry them out as early in the next year as the weather shall permit. We shall ask, also, for a small appropriation for an increased water-supply. When the well was dug — some years ago — it was expected that it would be filled by a connection with Sud- bury River. As it proves, there is no such connection, and the well is daily pumped dry. It is now thought advisable, to lay pipes from the river, about three hundred feet, and filter the water before it enters the well. We are favorably situated for REPORTS OF VISITORS. 25 an ample water-supply, and believe that this plan for getting it will commend itself to those who may examine its merits. Statistics 1881-82. Number of pupils admitted : — September, 1881, . . . ,. February, 1882, Number of graduates : — June, January, . . . .. 30 14 — 44 13 7 Whole number of pupils during year. 20 84 Average age of pupils admitted : — September, 1881, February, 1882 19.15 years. 19.09 » Residence of pupils : — Massachusetts : Middlesex County, Worcester County, Norfolk County,. Essex County, Barnstable County, Suffolk County,. Nantucket County, Bristol County,. Franklin County, New Hampshire, Connecticut, Maine, Michigan,. New Jersey, Pennsylvania, New York,. Vermont, Occupations of parents : — Farmers, Mechanics,. Real-estate brokers. Lawyer, Clergymen, Butcher, 29 19 10 1 1 2 1 1 1 29 24 2 1 3 1 65 7 1 5 1 2 1 1 1 84 26 BOARD OF EDUCATION. Occupations of parents : — Collector, Merchants,. Bookkeepers, Sea-captains, Clerks, Physicians,. Saloon-keeper, Manufacturers, Insurance agents. 1 9 2 2 3 2 1 3 1 — 84 Of the graduates, 1 has changed her residence, and has not been heard from ; 3 have returned to school to take the advanced course ; 16 are teach- ing (with the possible exception of one who gave up her school on account of death in her family, and may not have returned) ; 1 is teaching in the Normal and Agricultural Institute at Hampton, Va. ; 1 in a high school. The remainder in the common schools of every class, both graded and ungraded. The graduate at Hampton Institute has the oversight of the Indian boys, teaching three hours a day in the highest class, nursing them when sick, and doing all she can do to civilize them. She lives in the house known as the wiswam. ABBY W. MAY, A. A. MINER, Visitors. REPORTS OF VISITORS. 27 STATE NORMAL SCHOOL, SALEM. Daniel B. Hagar, Ph. D., Principal. This school has been under the direction of its present principal for more than seventeen years. The whole number of pupils that have been brought under his instruction during this term of years is about sixteen hundred. Several others of tlie present corps of teachers have been engaged in the school daring the whole or a large part of this period. All of them have wrought together with uninterrupted harmony and continued zeal ; and the results of their work have been in a hisrh degree creditable to themselves, and beneficial to the State, whom they have thus served. No change took place upon the board of- instruction during the year covered by this report. But it is understood that the very valuable services of Mr. Osbun, who has been engaged in the departments of physics and chemistry, cannot be retained beyond the end of the school year now in progress. The health of the pupils has been remarkably good ; few cases of serious illness having occurred. It is proper to observe that this very important subject is made a mattter of diligent and systematic watchfulness. Each one of the pupils is specially assigned to the charge of some one of the lady teachers, to whom she is expected to report in case of illness, or in case the school work is found too hard. And the prin- cipal himself holds the subject constantly in mind ; and while it is not easy to lay out the work of a large school in such a manner that it shall bear injuriously upon no one, and while it is not to be supposed that the sanitary appointments of this school are in all respects perfect, it may yet be said with much confidence that we have here abundant signs of continual, kindly and intelligent oversight, and with corresponding en- couraging and hopeful results. An interesting experiment in industrial education has been in progress in this school since the opening of the present 28 BOARD OF EDUCATION. year. A proposition was made by Miss Marion Howe, through the agency of Mr. L. W. Marvel, to furnish a portion of the pupils of the school with certain carpenter's tools, and to pro- vide instruction with regard to their use, for the present year. All the members of the senior class — the matter having been brought before them by the principal — volunteered to make trial of an exercise with these tools, outside the hours for regular school work. An hour in each week has been spent in this manner, under the direction of Mr. Dow, who formerly had charge of the industrial school at Gloucester. Thus far the young ladies have learned to drive nails, to measure spaces, and to handle the saw, the square and the plane. It is believed that they are learning to do these things well ; and they greatly enjoy the occupation. They find exercise in pleasing and wholesome variety, for both the body and the mind. They appear not to be hindered, but rather assisted and furthered with respect to their regular studies. The skdl they are thus gaining will be of service to them as teachers, in handling and also in repairing, and even in making the apparatus they may use in schools ; and it will be of practical advantage to them upon many other occasions in life. The principal is greatly pleased with the experiment as thus far made. He is of the opinion that he should not wish the exercise discontinued even if it were necessary, as hitherto it has not been, to take the hour it requires from the regular work of the school. It is suo;orested that should the results continue to be equally satisfactory throughout the year, it might be desirable for the State to make provision for further instruction in this direction. Touching the general subject of industrial or manual educa- tion, toward which much thoughtful attention is now directed, and to which there has been occasion thus to refer in this Report, it may now only be observed that practice to a cer- tain extent in the use of tools stands in the relation of recip- rocal helpfulness with the study and practice of drawing ; and that such exercise with tools appears to be capable also, as drawing is, of being brought easily into adjustment with the other and ordinary processes of mental education. And finally, that as the aim of the mental training afforded in our schools is not primarily to give fitness of mind for any one ep:ports of visitors. 29 occnpution in life, but capacity in general for all occupations, so the aim of any such system of manual or bodily training for industrial purposes must not be toward titness of the hand or the eye for any one trade or handicraft, but toward a certain measure of aptitude in general for all trades, industries, and occupations. The statistics of the school are as follows : — 1. The whole number of pupils belonging to the school during the year was 239. Of this number, Essex County sent 133 ; Middlesex, 54 ; Suffolk, 12 ; Norfolk and Worcester, 2 each ; Barnstable, Bristol, Frtinklin and Plym- outh, 1 each. The State of Maine sent 7 ; New Hampshire, 16 ; Ver- mont. 3 ; New York, 1 ; Ohio, 1 ; South Carolina, 1 ; Texas, 1 ; Wisconsin, 1 ; Washington Territory, 1. Tlie number present during the term which closed Jan. 24, 1882, was 206 ; the number present during the term which closed June 27, 1882, was 189. The whole number of pupils that have been members of the school since its oj)ening in September, 1854, is 2,634. 2. The number graduated from the regular course Jan. 24, 1882, was 27 ; the niraiber graduated from the same course June 27, 1882, was 38 ; and from the advanced course, 3. The whole number of graduates of the school (54 classes) is 1,269. Certificates for teaching drawing in grammar schools were awarded Jan. 24, 1882, to 20 ; and to 33 June 27, 1882. 3. The number that entered the school Sept. 6, 1881, was 46 ; the num- ber tliat entered Feb. 7, 1882, was 28. 4. The average age of the class admitted Sept. 6, 1881, was 18.8-)- years ; of the class admitted Feb'. 7, 1882, 17.8-}- years. Of the 46 pupils admitted to this school in September, 1881, 28 came from high schools (14 graduates, 14 undergi'aduates) ; 13 came from gram- mar schools, 3 from academies, 1 from a district school, and one from a private school. Of the 28 pupils admitted in February 1882, 15 came from high schools (4 graduates, 11 undergraduates), 6 from grammar schools, 3 from dis- trict schools, 2 from private schools, and 2 from academies. Of the 75 pupils who were admitted in September, 1882, 50 came from high schools (35 graduates, 15 undergraduates), 18 from grammar schools, 4 from academies, 1 from a district school, and 1 from an academy. 5. The fathers of the pupils admitted during the year are by occupation as follows : Farmers, 21 ; manufacturers, 17 ; mechanics, 13 ; traders, 6 ; agents. 4; miscellaneous, 13. 