STATE TEACHERS' ASSOCIATION.

The State association for the year 1887 was held in the capitol building, Salem, July 6, 7 and 8.

This meeting was attended by 325 teachers, representing the counties of Benton, Baker, Clackamas, Clatsop, Columbia, Coos, Douglas, Jackson, Josephine, Lane, Linn, Marion, Multnomah, Polk, Umatilla, Union, Wasco, Washington and Yamhill counties. Most of the teachers in our colleges, universities and academies were present, taking an active and able part in the general work, but more especially in the State college and university department.

THE DEPARTMENT OF SUPERINTENDENCE

Was largely attended, most of the county superintendents in the State being present. During the three days' meeting the following topics were quite thoroughly discussed:

Difficulties in Ungraded Schools. School Apparatus, What is Needed; Use and Abuse of. Examinations in Rural Schools. How to Make School Visits Profitable. Needed School Legislation. Qualifications of Teachers. Duties of Directors. Revocation of Licenses. How to conduct Local Institutes. County Institutes, Organization and Management of. Location of School Houses. Division of School Districts. Wages of Teachers. School Organization. Course of Study and Grade in County Schools. Graduation in Public Schools. Qualifications of County Superintendents. Teachers' Reports to County Superintendents. Clerks' Reports, What Should They Contain? Uniformity in Daily Programmes. Mode of Conducting Teachers' Examinations. How to Secure Efficient Superintendence of Schools. Dismissal of Teachers, How and Why. Educational Hindrance. County Normals, Advantages of; How Should They be Conducted? Care of School Property. The State teachers' association for 1888 convened in the legislative hall, capitol building, Salem, July 5, and continued in session July 6 and 7.

This meeting was attended by three hundred and forty teachers from Benton, Clackamas, Clatsop, Columbia, Douglas, Grant, Jackson, Josephine, Lane, Linn, Marion, Morrow, Multnomah, Polk, Union, Umatilla, Wasco, Washington and Yamhill counties. Many of the leading teachers from our universities and colleges were in attendance, and, in addition to these, leading educators from the States were present. Prominent among these was Hon. John M. Bloss, city superintendent public schools, Topeka, Kansas, formerly Superintendent of Public Instruction, State of Indiana. Mr. Bloss gave an interesting lecture before the association on Friday evening, July 6, on the following subject: "Our Civilization Dependent on Christianity and Science its Handmaid.” The

COLLEGE AND UNIVERSITY DEPARTMENT

Was largely attended. The following questions were discussed: 1. Co-education of the sexes.

2. Should the length of a college session be nine months or ten months?

3. Should colleges have their courses of study adjusted to those of the public schools?

4. Should college diplomas be in the Latin language or in the English?

5. How far should studies be optional?

THE DEPARTMENT OF SUPERINTENDENCE

Was in session two days, many of the county superintendents being present.

THE DEPARTMENT OF MUSIC

Was organized, the following questions being placed for discussion: 1. Best methods of teaching vocal music in public schools. 2. What should be the character of school music?

3. Vocal music as opening and closing exercises.

4. Children's voices-methods of training.

DISTRICT INSTITUTES.

The institutes for the several judicial districts have been held in compliance with the law. These meetings have been held for the most part at the county seats, and have been largely attended by

citizens and teachers. Generally the services of the best teachers, lecturers and instructors in each district were secured. Home talent also is found ready and abundant to do good service.

COUNTY INSTITUTES.

These meetings are now obligatory by law, and this important duty should not be neglected or avoided by the county superintendent. There is no doubt that these conventions are of great benefit to teachers, as all active, thorough-going teachers concede this. While this is true, the institutes are not accomplishing all that is expected. The time allotted for the work is generally too short, and, for the annual institute, the time set apart for the session should not be less than five days.

In some instances the instructors have hardly time to present the outlines of their topics. Again, time is often frittered away in the discussion of questions of minor importance. Again, time is sometimes wasted by the extended discussion of special hobbies. The time should be largely devoted to the presentation of the most approved and latest methods of instruction.

The county superintendents report thirty-five annual institutes held within the two years covered by this report. This is far below the mark of good, earnest school work. Since this feature is now compulsory, fifty-eight institutes ought to have been held in the Several counties during the past two years. I have attended twentyone of these meetings in person, devoting the average time of two days to each institute. In traveling to and from the several counties where these meetings were held, I have traveled seven thousand three hundred miles. If institutes were annually held in every County in the State, it is manifestly impracticable for the Superinendent of Public Instruction to attend all of them, unless he did at the expense of other official duties equally as important. Presented herewith is a scheme of interstate work prepared for the use of county superintendents and others.

It is expected that the next series of annual reports from county. superintendents will show that the law, in this particular, has been fully observed in each and every county in the State.

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SUGGESTIONS FOR THE USE OF SUPERINTENDEN AND INSTITUTE CONDUCTORS.

DAILY PROGRAMME OF A NORMAL INSTITUTE FOR SIX DAY

FORENOON.

General Discussion by the entire Institute, 9 to 10 o'clock.

General Discussion by the Institute, 1 to 2 o'clock.

Evening exercises may consist of Lectures and General Discussions.

NOTE. The above programme is merely suggestive of the work that may be accomplis within the time specified, by an active conductor and assistant instructors who give strict at tion to economy in time and methods of work. The programme itself may be readily revise meet the wants of the several districts and counties.

INSTITUTE WORK.

THE MAJOR OBJECTS OF THE INSTITUTE.

1. To acquaint teachers with the best and latest methods instruction.

2. To increase the efficiency of teachers, by giving a disti idea of the true ends of education; by giving some knowled

of the science of teaching; by illustrating latest methods of imparting instruction; by giving a correct idea of what constitutes a good school.

3. To secure uniformity of work in methods of organization, in school records, schedules, programmes, etc.; in school government; in school recitations.

4. The institute awakens a general interest in education.

MINOR OBJECTS.

1. To gain inspiration in teaching.

2. To gain professional information.

3. To learn to avoid "stereotyped methods" or "ruts."

4. Teachers may compare themselves professionally with their associate teachers.

5. The institute produces a feeling of professional pride, a necessary element to secure success.

6. To correct prevailing faults, consisting of waste of time in movements of classes; in conducting recitations and managing classes; in repeating work done by predecessors; wrong methods arising from lack of experience.

WAYS AND MEANS.

1. Lectures and talks.

2. Class exercises for illustration.

3. Questions and answers.

4. Diagrams and notes.

5. General discussions. 6. Critic's work.

7. Query box.

SUGGESTIONS TO MEMBERS.

1. Attend each session promptly and regularly.

2. Make copious notes of the work done and keep them for future use in the school-room.

3. Give your earnest attention to the instructors and enter heartily into all general exercises.

4. Ask questions of instructors at the close of each exercise.

5. In conducting general discussions, the conductor should require members participating to confine themselves to the general principles of the question in hand and not distort the discussion into "pet" specialties or personalities. Members should remember that the