REPORT OF JOHN KNEELAND. Gentlemen of the Board of Education. I entered upon the duties assigned to your agents as early in September as opportunities offered, and have visited, in twentyone towns and cities, one hundred and thirty-three schools. Excepting in a few instances, I spent in each school from one to two hours. I listened to recitations, inquired into the methods of teaching generally followed, ascertained the circumstances affecting the character of the school, made suggestions, and very frequently conducted exercises. It gives me pleasure to state that in all cases I was cordially welcomed by committees and teachers, and that facilities were very generally afforded me for the prosecution of my work. Wherever it was practicable, I met the people in the evening, and had a talk with them upon educational subjects; and on several occasions, met the teachers to discuss with them educational methods. In some instances I made, by invitation, a second visit to towns for these purposes. The expressions of opinions that have come to me, lead me to think that the action of the Board in providing for a more systematic visiting of the towns, in the interests of education, meets with great favor. My previous knowledge of the schools led me to the conclusion that our system of education was still defective in its elementary departments. It was easy to point out Primary Schools, in some of our cities and towns, wisely managed and intelligently taught. But, on the whole, it was quite apparent that teachers were not selected for such schools because of any special fitness on their part for doing the work demanded; and that they failed, for want of knowledge and skill, to reach the best results. I determined, therefore, to give a full share of attention to the elementary schools and classes. When it is considered that a |