THE Board of Education herewith present their Twelfth
Annual Report.

A change of the legislative session from May to January

CORRIGENDA.-Since a part of this edition was printed, the leading advocates
of the Metric System in this country, in order to simplify the nomenclature, have
agreed to change the spelling of a few terms, using k instead of c in dekameter,
hektometer and all prefixes of dek and hek, and ar, hectar and centar instead of
are, hectare and centare. On page 48, sixth line from top, read distant in place of
friendly. On page 57, sixth line from bottom, read ordnance instead of ordinance.
The problem on page 63, quoted from Mr. Putnam, contains mistakes which are
corrected in last edition. On page 67, last line, erase exclusively. On page 76,
erase the first six words after nickel.

all kinds 128,922, an increase of zoo. Average attenuance au
public schools in winter 74,369, increase for the year 2,434.
Average attendance at public schools in summer 66,621,
increase for the year 1,370.

Perhaps no single feature of our public school system affords.
better evidence of its healthful condition than its uninterrupted
progress during a series of years. A steady growth is essential

REPORT

OF THE

BOARD OF EDUCATION

TO THE

GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF CONNECTICUT.

146-147

143

149

THE Board of Education herewith present their Twelfth Annual Report.

A change of the legislative session from May to January involves the necessity of a second report from the Board within a period of eight months. Nothing has occurred, in the interval, to require special notice of the Board, beyond the usual suggestions and statistics herewith presented by the Secretary. Particular attention is invited to the tabulated statements prepared with great care and labor, and to the treatment of such topics as coine under his observation while engaged in the performance of his official duties.

The following items relating to attendance are of special interest. The average length of public schools was 178.13 days, an increase of 1.87 days. The number of children between 4 and 16 years of age, in January, 1876, was 135,189, an increase of 213. Number between 4 and 16 years of age, in no school, 12,297, decrease of 673. Number in schools of all kinds 128,922, an increase of 288. Average attendance at public schools in winter 74,369, increase for the year 2,434. Average attendance at public schools in summer 66,621, increase for the year 1,370.

Perhaps no single feature of our public school system affords better evidence of its healthful condition than its uninterrupted progress during a series of years. A steady growth is essential

No business enterprise m

seriously feels the adverse influence of a sud policy in its management, of the lack of compet tive power, or of unwise legislation, than the sy education. Continued effort to secure wise and vision, and the best methods of instruction, can preserve the onward movement already attained

It may be regarded as a hopeful sign for the fu schools are well patronized while business stagna is checked and depression is manifest in all community. It is a fact of common observation, t are depleted when business prospers and emp demand; on the contrary, that they are well attend ness is dull and unremunerative. It is a gratifyi of a sound public sentiment when by common co seek to secure for their children the advantages instead of suffering them to acquire indolent and v for want of occupation. So, when the material in State are depressed, a fresh impulse is impart culture, by which the young are better prepared t the future, their duties as citizens. And the adv inflicts pecuniary loss carries with it a compensatio ing and rendering more intelligent those who are to trolling influence in public affairs.

The advantages enjoyed by an educated commun oppressed with the disabilities of ignorance, need no Civilization and refined society are the offspring of the rudeness and violence of savage life are the na of the latter. The principle is the same when appl viduals. Educated mind is able to interpret the law and so to employ them as to diminish the necessi physical effort in every department of manual labor; almost without limit, the abundance of everythin contribute to the comfort and happiness of mankind.

In an intelligent community human laws have a power, by which the rights of its members are prote them the possession of property, the security of per harmonious relation of individuals to each other are Educated mind has a conservative influence which t

more quickly a dden change of etent administra system of public

d efficient super an hardly fail to ed.

future that the nates, enterprise pursuits in the that the schools ployment is

nded when busi ying indication

consent parents s of education. vicious habits, Interests of the rted to mental

to perform, in Iversity which on, by elevat

to have a con

pervades all private and public interests. It is an invisible
force which invigorates the efforts of men in every enterprise
and guides them to success. Every domestic circle is made
happier through its influence; every neighborhood and town
recognizes it as an element of prosperity. The indispensable
necessity of universal education under a government where the
will of the people is law, was recognized in the infancy of the
nation, and has never been more apparent than now.

How to devise methods by which increased efficiency may be
imparted to our system of public instruction, is still a question
of deep interest and earnest inquiry. It must be admitted that
much has been accomplished. Laws have been enacted to
meet all contingencies. Increased facilities have been provided
for the better preparation of teachers for their duties by normal
instruction. The best methods of teaching and school govern-
ment have been presented at Teachers' Institutes held in various
parts of the State. Lectures have been delivered, on a great
variety of subjects, in the presence of teachers and citizens, well
calculated to create, in the former, a deep sense of responsibility
and need of high qualifications for their vocation; in the latter
a clearer comprehension of the great benefits which education.
can confer on a people.

Voluntary associations of teachers have been formed, in which educational topics are discussed, and the experience of those long in service contributes largely to aid beginners in the work. The State Teachers' Association is under the direction of the leading educators of the State, and holds an annual meeting, which is attended by large numbers of teachers of all grades. Educational journals containing the best information pertaining to the teachers' vocation, and books of like character are increasingly in demand. The Normal School is under the charge of an able and efficient corps of instructors, and those who become pupils of the institution enter with great enthusiasm upon their work of preparation; and their subsequent success as teachers affords abundant evidence of the usefulness of this school, not only in supplying competent teachers, but in stimulating others, who have not had the advantages of special preparation, to aim to reach a higher standard.

This recital of operations in the educational department of