government of the schools, has been adopted by the board, which has done much to systematize the work. Thus benefiting both teachers and pupils. The school was never in a more prosperous condition than at present.

I am sorry to report that much of the work done in the Ashton school has been lost on account of the frequent change of principals. There having been three changes during the year. The present outlook for the school, however, is very encouraging. Mr. Roth, the new principal, appears to be a gentleman of superior teaching ability. We shall look for many good results from his labors.

UNIFORMITY OF TEXT BOOKS.

The text-book question has been disposed of for three years to come, by the almost universal adoption of a uniform series of text-books in all the county schools of the country.

The wisdom of this action on the part of the school]boards will be apparent to all. Our teachers have long been hampered by the endless variety of text-books. While this uniformity of books is very desirable in many branches taught, teachers should not forget that they should endeavor to rise above and become independent of text books. In many subjects that can be taught topically a diversity of books will be found advantageous.

THE CLASSIFICATION REGISTER.

Each school in the county has been supplied with a copy of the classification register furnished by the county board. These register have not been in use long enough to make their usefulness apparent to all.

There surely is need of more systematic work. With our constant change of teaching the good results of one term are almost lost through each teacher's ignorance of his predecessor's work. A graded course of study accompanies each register, which, if followed carefully will do much toward grading our country schools.

Each teacher is requested to send to this office two reports each term. In most cases this has been carefully and promptly done. While this has added much to the work of the superintendent's office, it has aided me very materially in the supervision of the schools.

I believe these reports may result in as much or more good as the visits of the superintendent.

EXAMINATIONS.

I have, during the year, examined 110 applicants for certificates, fifty-four of whom have received first-class, and forty-six second class certificates, ten rejected.

I have endeavored to make my examinations thorough and practical, and have striven to treat all applicants fairly and impartially.

TEACHERS' MEETINGS.

Last winter we organized two teachers' associations, one at Sibley and one at Ocheyedan. Twelve meetings were held, at nearly all of which there was a good attendance and much interest manifested.

NORMAL INSTITUTE.

Our normal institute, held at Sibley from March 22d to April 3d was a decided success. While the enrollment was not quite as large as usual the interest was unabated from the first. The work of the instructors was most practical, and the good results were quite noticeable in our summer schools. Primary work was made a specialty, two lessons being given each day. I am satisfied that the instruction given in this work alone paid every teacher for attending.

I should be pleased to have a three weeks' session this year, but I fear this cannot be done unless we change the time of holding until August.

I expect to make our next institute a great improvement on the last. I am making my arrangements with great care, and am satisfied that our coming institute will be one no teacher can afford to miss.

For report of condition of institute fund see county treasurer's report.

THE NEW LAW.

The act passed by the last General Assembly requiring the teaching of physiology and hygiene with special reference to the effects of alcohol and narcotics in the human system, went into effect last July and is now in full force. This law provides that the subject shall be taught in all schools and to pupils of all grades. Districts not complying, forfeit their apportionment of school funds. After the first of next July teachers are required to pass a satisfactory examination on this subject, or be debarred from teaching in the public schools. The law will be strictly enforced so far as it relates to my work. I am glad to report a manifest desire on the part of the teachers and school officers to comply with the law.

IMPROVEMENTS.

There has been built during the year, four new school-houses, one each in Holman and Goewey, and two in Baker township. These buildings are well built and well finished, the aggregate cost being $2,680. I notice, also, a few minor improvements in out-buildings, and there is much need of more improvement in this respect.

It is safe to say that fully one-half of the out-buildings in the county are unfit to use. The smallness, cheapness and architectural plan, together with the neglect of directors to keep these buildings in repair, is, I believe, doing more than any other agency, to debase and weaken the moral nature of our children. I would urge, therefore, that school directors keep these buildings in good repair at whatever cost. Teachers should remember that it is their duty to take care of all school property. I shall take note of this when I visit schools.

COUNTY HIGH SCHOOL.

With our rapidly increasing school population it is quite evident that something must soon be done to give our youths a higher training than can be secured in our common schools. Our supply of teachers must of necessity be drawn largely from the young men and women of the county, but we cannot hope to supply the constantly increasing demand for “first class” teachers and maintain any degree of efficiency so long as our facilities are as meager as at present.

Our graded schools have, in the past, supplied this want in a measure, but this is about at an end. These schools are becoming crowded, and already we hear they are refusing to admit pupils residing outside the district. To supply this want I would propose the establishment of a county high school. This report is already too long or I would like to mention some of the many advantages likely to arise from such a project. I believe such a school could be made nearly, if not quite self-supporting, for if properly conducted it would call in scores from neighboring counties. I earnestly urge upon the board and the people of the county generally the immediate necessity of measures being taken to secure higher educational facilities. My first year's work has been quite agreeable, though arduous.

I wish to thank the teachers of the county for their willingness and promptness in aiding me in my efforts to advance the cause of education. The kindness and encouragement received from school officers and patrons, has been highly appreciated. I shall enter upon the new year with renewed zeal and a fixed determination to do all in my power to advance the cause of education in Osceola county.

PAGE COUNTY.

BY LOTTIE E. GRANGER.

In accordance with your request, and following the outline received from the State department, it gives me pleasure to review the condition of educational matters in Page county.

During the one and one half years of my superintendency, I have been pleased to note a general awakening all along the line of educational work. Teachers, particularly the younger ones, are reaching out for something beyond the present attainments. This is shown in the quality of work they are doing, and by their interest in and attendance upon educational meetings. Boards of directors, too, are looking after the condition of school property, providing for the use of their children things at least comfortable and decent.

The labors of the successful and efficient teacher are appreciated, and generally the truth is dawning upon the minds of our directors that in continuance of well-doing there is power and reward.

Discrimination in the selection of a teacher is becoming more noticeable, and so strongly is the teacher bound by his contract that as soon as his work is proven to be a failure it is not a difficult matter to dispense with his services. This is as it should be, for in one term of misrule and faulty teaching more harm can be done than an efficient teacher can counteract in a year. Indeed, some fruits of the evil teaching and permitted disobedience are gathered long after the school-room is forgotten.

What an awful responsibility is this training and teaching of the young; and oh, how lightly is the task undertaken by many whose only thought is first the scanty sufficiency to get a certificate, and then the "paltry dollar” after the time has been put in! "We must educate." How oft reiterated has been this statement! With redoubled force it comes to the county superintendent when he recognizes the needs of his teachers.

So many of our teachers have come from the rural schools to the work of teaching that it is little wonder we feel the need of educating our teachers. Not that in our rural schools are boys and girls less bright than those who fill our city schools, but that their opportunities for culture and refinement, such as come from pleasant surroundings, together with the example and effect of the best instruction, are so few that it is by their native ability and self application the degree of advancement is such as it is.

Pecuniary conditions of many of our teachers are such that all increase of knowledge must come through experience in the work of teaching and through the normal institute. Hence it is that our normal institute is doing, very largely academic work. This we know is not the province of the normal institute, but so long as present conditions remain as they are this work must be done.

Algebra, civil government, physical and local geography, the art of penmanship, and the science of orthography are rarely touched upon in our country school work. Yet he who would hold the better grade of certificate and finish the State graded course of study for normal institutes must be familiar with these branches.

Before they can be taught how to teach it, teachers must first be acquainted with a subject. Hence it has been our aim in normal institute work to make a specialty of those branches supposed to be least understood by the average teacher.

Last year particular attention was paid to civil government of Iowa, local geography and hygiene. This year reading and penmanship were made specialties. In each case not so much attention was given the method as was given the subject. Another year physical geography, grammar and orthography may be emphasized, and by this it is meant to have actual drill work done in these various branches. The instructor, then, becomes a model teacher and the teachers are model pupils.

This kind of work done at the normal institute is very satisfactory to the teachers and holds their attention, securing excellent attendance.

་

As to the State work of the normal institute, too great diversity prevails. The institute should be graded on a uniform basis, and the course of study to be pursued outlined by the State department.

Until our school work, from district to State, is more nearly unified, there cannot be universal progress.

School-houses are invariably toɔ small, rudely finished, poorly seated and illy ventilated. To find equipments in apparatus, library, etc., is the exception. Wardrobes are wanting very frequently, and blackboard space not one-fourth of what is needed. Few school lots are fenced, and rarely is good shade found. Out-buildings are usually in fair condition where one for each sex is found, otherwise they are not only out of repair but unsightly. As a hopeful indication, we wish to say that by calling attention to these things, the light of a new order of things is dawning upon the minds of some of our people. The past year houses have been re-modeled, wardrobes provided, blackboards made, seating improved, apparatus added, fences built, trees planted, and general improvement in all particulars. Of course the extent to which this good work is carried varies with the community and its general spirit of progress. Yet example is powerful, and by degrees these good things have a salutary effect throughout the county. There have been various changes in wages and length of terms, yet we believe the changes have been, for the most part, in the right direction. Rarely anything beyond the ordinary branches is taught in our schools. Often pupils are found whose parents object to having grammar, geography and physiology taught. By common consent and established usage the parent is the proper one to decide this question, and the teacher must be attentive to the demand. Great liberties are exercised in our rural schools, for boards of directors have leased a large majority of their powers.

No special branches are required to be taught. Vocal music is used only as a pastime, no attention whatever being given to the rudiments of music. As to hygiene, every school board, we believe, has adopted a book to comply with the requirements of the statute. A majority.of the schools are complying in spirit and the letter. In some districts nothing has been done toward carrying out the instructions of the board, for the board is not particularly interested Patrons refuse to have this branch taught, and no power is enforced to bring about the desired end. It would seem very admirable to let the penalty fall where it is due, but it is not ours to execute. And this, in a hasty glance, describes the educational status of Page county. As will be seen, the best thing about it all is the tendency to do better things. When the term of officials is lengthened and teachers, who are worthy, are continued, then may we expect to establish ourselves in the best things. Until that day, we must not be weary of repetition, though our heart faint and our courage wane.