1878-79, with 2,416 more in average daily attendance, 20 more schools, and as many more teachers; average school term 7 days longer, and average pay of teachers fairly increased, to correspond with a considerable increase of general receipts. Normal school training for both white and colored teachers held its own; that in high schools was made higher and better; Baltimore City College added a year to its course, and Johns Hopkins University maintained its high standard and increased its work.

VIRGINIA.

As in 1877-78, State funds were largely withheld from the schools and the receipts were diminished by $267,675. This compelled a reduction of 2,054 in the number of free schools taught, of 2,099 in teachers for them, of $2.14 to $2.41 in the average monthly pay of those employed, with the result of 94,170 less enrolment and of 50,693 less in the current daily attendance. The strong feeling this aroused throughout the State promised, however, such widened local taxation for free schools as it was hoped would bring them up another year to nearly their former standing, and the first figures since received tend to justify this hope. There was still no State normal teaching, but initiatory steps were taken towards the institution of it in 1880. Private and county normal teaching made some advance. Collegiate and professional instruction was continued by the same institutions and with about the same standards. A new and important special school (the Miller Manual Labor School, Albemarle County), with large endowment for training orphans in school studies and industries, made its first report, showing 29 boys on its roll in 1878-'79.

SOUTHERN ATLANTIC STATES-NORTH CAROLINA.

The only thing that remained stationary here was the short average school term, only 46 days, as in 1877-78. Youth to be taught increased 3,809; enrolment in free schools, 10,657; average attendance on them, 18,235; number of schools, 354; receipts for them, $40,865; expenditures, $13,254; available State school fund, $92,500. Even a decline of 351 in the number of teachers is probably not an offset to this educational advance, but only an indication that many short term schools, instead of having each a different teacher, were conducted in contiguous districts and successive terms by the same persons. The teachers, too, were probably better qualified, as the State summer normal school for whites had taught 402 in its session of 1378 and had 290 attending in 1879, while the one for colored pupils was also sending out graduates from its 3 years' course. Many of the increasing number of collegiate and professional students, too, doubtless taught some part of the year.

SOUTH CAROLINA.

From the lack of a State census it does not appear what was the increase of children entitled to instruction; but 6,224 more than in 1877-'78 were enrolled in public schools; 49 more teachers found employment (though at reduced average pay); 123 more school-houses were in use, of which 81 were built during the year, at a cost of $5,556, while 29 more than in the previous year were owned by the school districts; and, though the receipts for free schools were $12,030 less, the expenditure for them was $290 greater. The State University and the State normal school for whites remained suspended, but several normal schools for colored pupils trained teachers for the schools. The only apparent advance in collegiate instruction for the year was at Claflin University, which reported a marked increase in the number of students and a considerable advance in the standard of scholarship.

GEORGIA.

Although there was no census in 1878-79 to show the increase in youth of school age, 16,755 more were reported enrolled in public schools, with a small increase in average attendance; pupils in private schools fell off 4,425. Public schools increased 'No record is made here of average attendance.

by 374, while private ones diminished by 109. There was no State normal training for whites in the year, and the hope of having the normal college for whites transferred from Nashville, Tenn., to Atlanta was disappointed; but training of teachers for the colored race continued at Atlanta University, with State aid. No special change appears in collegiate and professional training in this year.

FLORIDA.

At the time when the abstract for this State was sent to press no statistics for 1878'79 had been received. Since then they have come in, and present an enrolment of 73 more pupils in public schools, an average attendance of 1,668 more, 58 more schools and 2 fewer teachers, $5,824 more expended for them, some normal training for colored teachers through Peabody fund aid, and 8 white teachers under instruction at the Nashville Normal College for the State schools.

GULF STATES- ALABAMA.

With 125 fewer schools and teachers and an increase of only 6,404 in youth entitled to free schooling, there were 13,872 mère enrolled and 13,249 more in average attendance, with a proportionate increase in the school expenditure. The fewer teachers thus got better pay, while 3 State normal schools and numerous new township institutes helped to improve their quality. The standard of admission to the State University was considerably raised, and a graduate course was started at the Agricultural State College, professional courses and standards remaining as they had been.

MISSISSIPPI.

A good record meets us in this State: 16,480 additional youth of school age, an enrolment of 11,775 more in the free schools, and an average daily attendance of 2,997 more, with $113,647 more raised for the schools and $48,743 more expended for them. Better teaching, too, was doubtless had from the influence of the two State normal schools and of four extensively attended institutes held by the State superintendent, with good help, in four different cities consecutively. No evidence comes, however, of advance worth noting in higher and professional instruction.

LOUISIANA.

Uncertainty of school officers as to income for the schools and uncertainty of teachers as to the receipt of their pay, combined with movements towards a change of school laws, hinder progress in the public schools throughout this State. Hence, with an estimated increase of some 58,000 youth of school age, only 1,699 more were enrolled in public schools, and the total of schools taught and of teachers for them fell off. The schools of New Orleans were with difficulty kept open 94 months, and the fund for paying teachers there proved inadequate. Normal training for both white and colored pupils was continued in that city only through aid from the Peabody fund. The reorganized State University made no report.

TEXAS.

A partial report from this State, received as the matter relating to it went to press, shows considerable gains in 1878-'79, such as 13,971 in children of school age, 45,670 in enrolment in the public schools, which were more numerous by 1,560; the receipts for schools increased, too, by $113,420, and the expenditures for them by $90,379. Later reports from counties and cities not at first heard from indicate that the real gains were greater than above stated. Normal instruction for both white and colored pupils was also said to be fairly inaugurated under State auspices. The State College of Agriculture for Whites had 248 students.

SOUTHERN CENTRAL STATES-ARKANSAS.

The report from the State superintendent for the year shows that, with 20,126 more children to be taught, there were 19,302 more gathered into public schools, under 583

more teachers and in 148 more school-houses. This, with receipts for free schools $90,753 greater and expenditures for them $57,056 more, is very fair progress. In the 2 State schools for training teachers 4 years' normal courses were the rule and in the State University there was a respectable advance in standard settled on for 1880. The university also reported a medical department organized for 1879-'80, with the current "regular" standard, but offering a 3 years' graded course.

KANSAS.

Except in the average pay of teachers and the valuation of school property, all is progress here: $65,260 more raised for public schools, 412 more of these built or opened, 512 more with a graded course of study, 2,900 more with uniform text books, an increase of 11 days in the average school term, and, out of 45,656 more youth of school age (poured mainly by large immigration into the State), 30,628 more shown on the school rolls, with 16,783 more in average daily attendance. The chief State normal training, by county and State normal institutes, gave the greater part of the teachers 4 weeks' instruction in good methods, while normal courses of 2 to 3 years held many more, the State University and several colleges coöperating in this work.

MISSOURI.

The report here was that out of 13,905 more youth to be educated only 1,599 entered the public schools, these schools diminishing in number by 188 and the number of school-houses reported being less by 256; though the estimate of the value of all school property was put $678,601 higher. The number of teachers was 31 less, the average monthly pay of men $1.36 less, that of women $1.91 more. Receipts for public schools fell off $1,019,128; expenditure for them increased $653,321. The permanent State school fund, though with some different elements in the two years, was reported $264,179 larger in amount. The 3 State normal schools for whites were said to be flourishing and useful, as well as one at the State University, and one aided by the State at Jefferson City, for colored youth. The State University received from its president the gift of an observatory and telescope, and somewhat advanced its standards, while Washington University, St. Louis, added to much previous good work a considerable extension of its training for industries. One new college, Stewartsville. was added to the previous list.

KENTUCKY.

From failure of the late superintendent of instruction to report any statistics for last year, or any but of the youth of school age in 1879, no show of any progress in the latter year can be presented beyond the fact that the whites to be schooled were 17,475 more than in 1876-77; the colored, 9,847 more. How many of these were gathered into schools appears only in the cities, in which fair work seems to have been done. A State summer normal school, established in 1878, trained 40 pupils in its session of 1879 and then was closed; but institutes were held under State authority in 114 coun-ties and gave instruction to 6,074 teachers, and 9 private normal schools worked in the same direction. The State University had for the year 154 students; the State Agricultural College matriculated 118, double the number that entered the former year.

TENNESSEE.

By a change in the school age (from 6-18 to 6-21) and by natural increase, 65,726 were added to the number entitled to free schooling in 1878-79. Yet, of this large increase, only 3,535 seem to have gone into the public schools, though 3,277 more pupils were reported in private schools. The average daily attendance in the former went up, however, 13,964; that in the latter, only 1,729. There were 218 more school-houses, 266 more schools opened (24 of them graded), 410 more teachers, and an increase in the value of school property amounting to $111,286. The points of loss were 8 days less average time of schools, $119,377 less money for them, and thus a falling off of $2.45 in average monthly pay of teachers. The normal school arrangements were only changed

by the addition of 3 private normal schools to the previous 12. Superior and professional training went on with the same arrangements as before.

WEST VIRGINIA.

With 3,409 fewer children to be trained the public system here enrolled 5,342 more and had 3,635 more in average daily attendance; there were 176 more school-houses, 215 more schools (23 more being graded), and 384 more teachers; the school term was lengthened 4.4 days, although the receipts for schools were less by $47,654 and the valuation of school property fell off to some extent. The 5 State normal schools went forward with their work, though without the promised State appropriation, and so did one for training colored teachers, while institutes with $1,000 aid from the Peabody fund did much to improve the existing teaching force. In other instruction the only change was the introduction of a law department and of some medical lectures at the State University.

NORTHERN CENTRAL STATES-OHIO.

Against the great increase of public school enrolment and attendance in this State in 1877-78 must be set for 1878-79 a decrease of 5,543 in the former and of 5,382 in the latter, though the youth to be instructed numbered 1,357 more and the schoolhouses opened to them 164 more. The new school-houses built, too, were fewer by 44, and the valuation of the new buildings was $263,021 less. Receipts for free schools fell off $94,426; expenditures for them, $283,800. All this, with the fact that the comparatively few private schools increased their pupils by about the number that the State schools lost, indicates a dissatisfaction with the latter somewhere, and this is said to have been with the numerous poor country schools. A movement to improve these by training for them better teachers in the State normal schools, and by giving them the benefit of town school systems and of county supervision, failed to secure legislative action. The State remained thus dependent on private normal training, city normal schools, and institute instruction for the skilled teachers she required. Other instruction went on much as before.

MICHIGAN.

In this State the youth for schooling were 10,187 more than in the previous year, but the enrolment in public schools was 17,564 less, though private and church schools gained nearly half of what the others lost. A falling off of $128,261 in receipts for public schools required again a decrease of teachers' wages, which were reduced, on an average, $2.72 a month for men and $2.68 for women. Much of all this is attributed to a growing disrespect for the numerous poor teachers, and consequently poor schools, that have come from the change in 1875 of skilled county superintendents for unskilled township officers. A well arranged system of teachers' institutes mitigates the deterioration from this source. The high schools, normal school, University,' Agricultural College, and State special schools seem all, however, to have done well.

INDIANA.

No gains like those of 1877-78 are reported; only an increase of 8,948 in youth of school age, of 92 in public school-houses, of 3 days in the average time of school, of $251,058 in the valuation of school property, and of $42,498 in the amount of available State school fund. All else is loss: a decrease of 8,643 in public school enrolment, of 3,750 in average daily attendance, of 9 in the number of graded schools, of 17 in school-houses built within the year, of 191 in the number of teachers, of $1 to $8.40 in average monthly pay of teachers, of $164,298 in receipts for schools, and of $175,182 in expenditures for them; and this notwithstanding skilful and efficient superintendency. Still, 520 pupils in the State normal school, 2,327 in private normals, with training in this line in 8 colleges and many summer schools, gave promise of good teaching. 1 To aid in training teachers of high grade a chair of pedagogy was established at the University this year.

The State University had 33 high schools on its approved list, and Purdue University matriculated 195 students for its excellent scientific course.

ILLINOIS.

Statistics here, too, indicate a falling off of 1,727 in educable youth, of 13,399 in public school enrolment, of 4.22 days in the average time of school, of 582 in teachers, of $12.62 in average monthly pay of men (against $3.31 advance in that of women), of $3,492,388 in receipts for schools, and of $1,335,366 in expenditures for them. School property in the State system was valued, however, at $796,840 more, and private schools reported 6,268 more pupils, under 108 more teachers. In normal schools linked with the State system 778 pupils were preparing to be teachers; in private normals, 215, besides classes in 10 colleges and numerous summer schools. In 21 approved high schools pupils for the State University were given the privilege of entering on their diplomas; in 14 more, examination of students for such entrance was allowed to be conducted by the principals. In the University itself and in the professional schools and special schools, fairly high standards seem to have been well maintained.

WISCONSIN.

There were 5,861 fewer youth of school age reported in public schools, though there were 4,761 more entitled to free schooling; 7.3 days less in the average school term outside of cities, where it was 6.3 days longer than before; the average monthly pay of men reduced, and that of women slightly advanced. Attendance in the 4 State normal schools was less also by 82; in colleges and academies reported, less by 231. In other things there was a gratifying increase, 243 more districts reporting, 502 more that purchased text books for their schools, 6 more free high schools,' 65 more public school-houses, with 4,067 more sittings, 67 more teachers, $4,453 more raised for schools, and $6,925 more spent on them. The State University had a new assembly hall and new observatory, and Ripon College an addition of $15,000 to its endowment. The State school for deaf and dumb at Delavan lost its building by fire, but without loss of pupils, and a new school for teaching articulation to deaf-mutes at Milwaukee had 21 pupils.

MINNESOTA.

From lack of a school census, there is no information as to increase of educable youth, but 3,739 more of school age were reported enrolled in 190 more districts, with 136 more school-houses, under 135 more teachers. The number of towns reporting graded schools fell off, however, by 14, and the reported number of scholars in such schools by 3,152; receipts for public schools were $57,918 less than in 1877-'78; the expenditures for them $99,947 lower, and the valuation of school property decreased $298,326. From the diminution of receipts, the average monthly pay of men teaching in public schools was made $1.74 less and that of women 89 cents less, the only financial improvement being a gain of $190,766 in the available State school fund. With a view to preparing students for the University, a law to encourage high schools and bring them up to a proper standard was passed.

IOWA.

As in 1877-78, the comparatively small increase of school population (only 1,879) and nearly as many more (2,955) were enrolled in public schools (with 1,433 more in other schools), and 7,789 more were kept in average attendance. School districts and subdistricts increased by 320, public schools by 250, school-houses for them by 225, teachers in them by 568 (besides 58 more in private schools), the average school term by 1 day, the receipts for the State school system by $442,184, the expenditure upon it by $358,939, and the permanent school fund by $15,612. The only retrogressions that appear are the reduction in the valuation of school property of $98,929 and the average

1Of these, 3 were aided by the State; the other 3 were not yet old enough to claim such aid.