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whole country, and its importance was everywhere recognized by men acquainted with educational affairs. Something further has since been attempted in the same line, of which fuller mention will be made in the report of the secretary. But our means will allow of none but fragmentary and imperfect work in this direction.

Similar examinations, with such improvements as might be made upon them, ought to be carried shortly over the whole State. We should thus begin to be getting in hand, with something of definiteness and certainty, that material of fact respecting the condition and effective capacity of our schools, which is not now at hand in our Commonwealth; if, indeed, any thing like it is to be found in the whole country. This material of clear fact is needed as the basis of the most judicious legislation. It is required as the means of testing finally the value of particular theories, methods, or appliances. And, altogether, it may be doubted whether any very great further advance can be made in our educational system until this record of things actually accomplished is in some better degree made up and set before us. With the two additional agents whom we have asked for, something further could be hopefully undertaken in this line, while the work now carried on in other directions by the secretary and agents would be greatly

furthered.

It would not be impossible, as we believe, to find the persons thoroughly qualified for the positions proposed thus to be filled. And, if the General Court shall judge it expedient to provide the means required, the Board will exercise the greatest carefulness to the end that any appointments it may make shall at once be recognized as befitting the importance of the work now waiting to be done.

In conducting the teachers' institutes, the secretary and agents have had assistance, during the season just closing, from several teachers in the normal schools, and from certain other gentlemen whose services have been secured for that purpose.

The secretary and agents themselves have wrought together with diligence and skill upon the over-abundant labors opening before them. The reports furnished each year by the secretary contain also much of valuable suggestion for teachers and committees; and they are made use of widely by many others who are concerned in the promotion of popular education. It

may be observed here, moreover, that the preparation of these reports, with the tables of statistics and other documents usually printed with them, involves of itself no small amount of labor; and it has to do thus with the existing necessity for an additional force with which to enter effectively upon the larger labors already referred to.

It is

The normal schools, which are distinctly committed to the charge of the Board, and for which alone it is directly responsible, have received careful attention during the year. certain, we think, that their influence is felt to an increasing extent in the elevation of the standard of capacity and fitness in preparation of those who are to enter upon the work of instruction in our public schools. It is to be wished that larger numbers of these persons might share directly in the advantages which these training-schools in the art of teaching are able to afford.

The Board has observed with satisfaction the signs of continued popular interest concerning the moral influences put forth by our schools upon the children and youth assembled in them. In the report of last year, it was recommended that the school committees should be required by law to make special mention, in their reports, of the condition in this respect of each school under their care. This matter has been since in part provided for by the Board itself, through the inserting of questions directed to that point in its form of inquiries addressed each year to the committees. Another recommendation of last year had respect to a legal requirement for the holding of stated meetings of the committees or superintendents with the teachers in each town or city, at which meetings the purpose of the State concerning the moral training of its youth, as set forth in the constitution and the laws, might be distinctly explained and enforced, with the taking of practical counsel in this respect, and with reference also to many other matters effecting the welfare of the schools. If it be not advisable to provide any legal enactment bearing upon this subject, it will remain true that such meetings are on many accounts of great importance; and that no committee neglecting to hold them can be regarded as discharging fully its duty towards the schools, unless, indeed, a most unusual degree of care is exercised to provide in other ways for the same full and common understanding among the teachers concerning the public obligations resting upon them.

And it is always to be borne in mind, that for whatever relates to the wise ordering of the schools, whether with respect to morals or to any other matter of public interest, the people themselves in any locality can cause to be done nearly every thing that could be in any manner practicable. If they will take a sufficient care upon themselves, no further legislation is needed. They can observe what is done both by teachers and committees, and they can interpose as they may see fit, with decisive effect. And, in this matter of a sound moral influence to be exerted through the schools, a very small number of persons, even, in most communities, can make sure that it is kept in mind at least by those who are directly concerned with the management of the schools.

The school-laws as revised will be published in pamphlet form, and sent to all the committees of the towns, together with such comments and explanations as are necessary to a right understanding of their spirit and intent.

Reports in detail from the visitors of the several normal schools, and the report of the secretary of the Board, with accompanying documents and tables of statistics, are also herewith submitted.

JOHN D. LONG, Ex officio.
BYRON WESTON, Ex officio.
CHRISTOPHER C. HUSSEY.

CHARLES B. RICE.

ELIJAH B. STODDARD.

ALONZO A. MINER.

THOMAS WENTWORTH HIGGINSON.

ADMIRAL P. STONE.

ABBY W. MAY.

MILTON B. WHITNEY.

BOSTON, Dec. 14, 1881.

REPORTS OF VISITORS

TO THE

NORMAL SCHOOLS.

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