2. He shall attend all county institutes when possible and assist in the organization and work of the same.

3. He shall visit all chartered and educational institutions in the State when practicable, collect statistics, etc.

4. He shall visit all the leading public schools in the State, give instruction, secure statistics, etc.

5. He shall prepare a uniform series of registers, blanks, etc., for the use of all public schools.

6. He shall hold district and State meetings of the county super

intendents.

7. He shall issue printed letters and circulars of information, advice, etc., to superintendents and other school officers.

S. He shall make decisions on appeal from county and school district officers on appeal.

OFFICE CORRESPONDENCE, ETC.

In carrying out the above added requirements, the corresponSence of this office has almost doubled. During the past eighteen. months the average number of letters received and answered has equalled fifteen letters per day.

During the year 1887, I traveled eleven thousand five hundred miles within the State in the interests of education.

During the year 1888, I traveled eleven thousand three hundred niles within the State in the same work.

The uniform series of school registers, blanks, forms, etc., have been completed as far as the appropriation for the same would Įrmit.

The following records, registers, blanks and forms have been [repared, printed and issued to all of the counties and school districts in the State as required by section 6 of the school laws, viz: 1. Teachers' Register and Record Book.

2. District Clerks' Record Book.

3. County Superintendents' Record Book.

4. County Superintendents' Handbook of Records.

5. Teachers' Certificate Books.

6. County Superintendents' Receipt Books.

7. County Treasurers' Receipt Books.

8. Clerks' Blank Reports.

9. Teachers' Blank Reports.

10. Superintendents' Blank Reports. 11. Census Reports.

In concluding this report it affords me gratification to expres my thanks to the superintendents, teachers, school officers, presiden: and teachers in our colleges, universities, normal schools and other schools, and to members of other professions, for their support and hearty co-operation; to the transportation companies for thei courtesy in making reduced rates to all attending our educationa meetings, associations and institutes, and to the press of the State for uniform kindness in publishing school notes and notices, an educational reports.

Respectfully submitted,

E. B. MCELROY,' Supt. of Public Instruction.

FROM COUNTY SCHOOL SUPERINTENDENTS.

BENTON COUNTY.-SUPERINTENDENT, J. J. BRYAN.

THE NEW TEACHERS' EXAMINATION LAW-IS IT SATISFACTORY?—It has been very satisfactory indeed; teachers, school officers and people in general are well pleased with its workings. It has lessened the number of teachers so that the present supply is about equal to the demand, which has not often been the ase in this county in the spring. Raising the standard of scholarship and issuing three grades of certificates has had a tendency to grade the salary of teachers. Our teachers holding first-grade certificates are getting, and can command, a better salary than those holding second and third-grade certifi- · cates. In short, I think the tendency of our "recent school legislation" is to reduce teaching to a distinct profession.

GRADING EXAMINATION QUESTIONS.-I can see no reason for grading examination questions to suit the various grades of certificates. I think the present method of having all applicants work from the same list, a good one. The tendency in this county is to elevate the standard of teaching. As evidences of this: First-Several teachers have chosen the profession of teaching for a life work who formerly had been teaching simply as a stepping stone to Something better. Second-Quite a number of teachers who have taught several terms have been forced to leave the ranks, owing to their inability to pass the required examination; so I conclude from these things that the standard of teaching is being elevated.

IN GENERAL.—I consider our new school laws, as a whole, to be a grand success and much good as a direct result has come from them in this county, especially in the improvement in teachers, in providing an institute fund, in requiring clerks to be more exact in their reports, in providing for a county board of examiners. This new legislation has given a new impetus to our school work.

COLUMBIA COUNTY.-SUPERINTENDENT, E. E. QUICK.

EXAMINATION.—The enumeration of persons in school districts from four to twenty years of age, as reported by a majority of district clerks, is often incorrect, as some clerks desire as large a showing as possible in order to have the more money for school purposes, and will often enumerate persons tempoFarily residing in the district. And also, not having any record of boundaries, from neglect of recording the same, will frequently report persons living in other districts. A uniform system of record, as contemplated by the new law, will remedy the greater evils, or errors, found in district clerks' reports.

ENROLLMENT.-The enrollment of pupils as compared with the enumeration from four to twenty years of age in this county is a little over one-half the

number enumerated in district clerks' reports. Account for this in two way First-Most of the districts are large and all of the pupils of school age cann by reason of distance attend, the settlements being frequently in t extreme parts of the districts. Second-The majority of schools are taught the summer season and are usually of only three month's duration; consequent a great number of the larger pupils are kept at home to assist parents. TI average daily attendance often falls short on account of parents' non-interesti Schools and permitting children to use their own pleasure in attending. compulsory educational law should be passed.

APPARATUS.-I find but very few schools supplied with sufficient apparatu Patrons do not seem to realize that a teacher, the same as a workman, neet tools to work with. A few home-made benches and a 2x4 blackboard, in the opinion, is sufficient. Some few schools in the county are making commen able efforts to secure a good supply of apparatus.

DIRECTORS.-The office of school director is a very important one, and gene ally thankless. Care should be exercised to elect none but the best and mo energetic individuals to that position. The best qualified persons generall will not accept the position for fear of incurring the displeasure of their neigh bors. They do not seem to realize that they would be doing a kindness to al and especially the rising generation, to secure good teachers and assist in th government of the schools.

CLERKS' REPORTS.—It is very difficult to obtain correct reports from distric clerks, either through ignorance or lack of interest. Instructions and blank should be made as plain, simple and full as possible, then when incorrec clerks should forfeit the pay allowed them to the general school fund, or allov no one to be eligible to the office who was not a fair scribe and an averag accountant.

CLERKS BONDS.-Heartily approves of the new law requiring distric clerks to file bonds with county superintendent. It will have a tendency t cause districts to elect good, responsible men to that position.

DISTRICT SCHOOL-HOUSES.-In many districts the school-house is a smal affair, poorly lighted and ventilated. It seems that when first built no accoun was taken of the prospective growth of the district. Newly organized district have built fair school-houses.

EDUCATIONAL MEETINGS.-There has been no local educational meeting held in the county during the year. But I think it would be very beneficia to teachers if a number from adjacent districts would meet once a month and discuss methods, and if possible the county superintendent should be presen and aid in conducting and organizing.

COUNTY INSTITUTES.-County institutes should be held annually. Here tofore none have been held in this county owing to the distance and expenst many teachers would incur in getting to the county seat.

EXAMINATIONS.-Examinations of teachers is very important, and should be conducted in such a manner as to develop the best practical qualifications of applicants. Questions should be practical and nearly of the same grade each time. All examinations should be public and held once a month, granting no renewals of permits.

TEACHERS' QUALIFICATIONS.-Teachers' qualifications should be of such a character as to embrace all the common branches, literature and biography, with a knowledge of current events.

TEACHERS' PERMANENCY, ETC.-Good teachers should only be employed. and retained as long as possible in each school district. Better results will be obtained thereby; steady employment and good wages will produce a better class of teachers.

TEACHERS' SALARIES.-Teachers' salaries in country schools are generally

too small. A great many drop out of the work and take hold of something that offers at least steady employment and usually better wages. Heretofore too many schoolgirls have been given charge of schools, who will teach for about one-half what a first-class teacher should get.

TEACHERS' REPORTS.-Teachers' reports should be concise, full and promptly made, and should be filled out at the end of each month taught. Then there would be no delays.

REVIEWS, ETC.-I believe in frequent reviews, and school examinations should be held each month and at the close of school. If pupils were entitled to it a certificate of examination should be given each pupil examined, stating how far in each branch the pupils were proficient and name studies completed. The incoming teacher could tell what and where to organize classes, and pupils would not be discouraged by teachers requiring them to go over the same ground each term.

NEW SCHOOL DISTRICTS.-Districts newly organized should be required to nave one term of school the next year following the first apportionment or forfeit their share of the public funds. The majority of the newly organized districts in this county have held a term of school the same year in which they were organized. Some have levied taxes and built good substantial schoolhouses. The apportionment of $50 to each district is very beneficial to new and small districts. And I do not see but the law in this county has been advantageous.

The educational outlook is growing brighter in this county. Patrons and school officers are beginning to awaken from their lethargy by manifesting greater interest in school affairs, and I hope during the coming year to see a greater improvement than has heretofore been manifested.

COOS COUNTY.—SUPERINTENDENT, A. J. SHERWOOD.

ENROLLMENT. The number of pupils enumerated in this county this year is 2507, being thirty-one more than was enumerated the year previous. The number enrolled is 1685, and the average daily attendance 1193. The latter two are considerable better than the year before. The cause of so small an enrollment is perhaps not owing so much to a lack of interest in schools and an indisposition on part of parents to send, so much as to the fact that many are over four years of age, and at the same time not old enough to send to school, and many are near but under twenty years of age and are necessarily detained at home. Again the school districts in many instances are so large, and the distance from the school house so great, that some of the children cannot attend, notwithstanding inclination. A better showing would be made in regard to comparative enumeration and enrollment if we considered those of actual school age-say those from six to eighteen years.

APPARATUS.-Very few schools are supplied with any. A few have good globes, a few wall charts, cubical blocks, etc. In these few cases their presence is due to the persistent asking for them by the teachers from the directors, and believe there are few boards of directors who will refuse to procure a little of the most needed apparatus, if they are asked often enough and in the right spirit. During the last year seven unabridged dictionaries have been added to the list, making thirteen in all now belonging to the school districts of the county.

DIRECTORS AND THEIR DUTIES.-As a general thing directors are negligent in their duties, seldom visiting schools. Instead of dropping in often to consult with teacher and encourage pupils they make, on an average, one “official” visit during the year. But I do believe that much good may be