INTRODUCTORY NOTE.

The edition of the School Laws published in 1859 being nearly exhausted, and the numerous and important changes in the laws rendering it needful to issue a new publication of the same, the Superintendent of Public Instruction has prepared this volume, in accordance with the requirements of the the statutes defining his duties, as follows:

Sec. 3. He shall prepare and cause to be printed, with the laws relating to Primary Schools, all necessary forms, regulations and instruments for conducting all proceedings under said laws, and transmit the same with such instructions relative to the organization and government of such Schools, and the course of studies to be pursued theren, as he may deem advisable, to the several officers entrusted with their care and management.

Sec. 4. School laws, forms, regulations and instructions shall be printed in pamphlet form, with a proper index, and shall have also annexed thereto a list of such books as the Superintendent shall think best adapted to the use of the Primary Schools, and a list of books suitable for township libraries, with such rules as he may think proper for the government of such libraries.

In order to aid school officers to a more easy and correct administration of their offices, a codification of the substance of the laws, has been prepared to accompany the laws, and the notes have been thorougly revised and considerably extended.

An expression of obligation to Professors C. I. Walker and T. M. Cooley, and other eminent legal counsel is due, for opinions upon doubtful or disputed points in the school laws.

The plans of school architecture, prepared under a resolution of the Legislature, will, it is hoped, aid in securing the erection of more convenient and healthful school-houses. Where the plans themselves are not adopted, they may still prove useful by way of suggestion, and thus help to the great end desired.

An urgent need has long been felt of some properly prepared blank books for the use of the district officers and teachers, with forms for records of proceedings, and proper headings for officers' acceptances, for census returns and for the several district accounts, and blanks for assessors' bonds, teachers" contracts, &c. Messrs. Adams & Blackmer, of Illinois, who have had a large experience in the preparation of such blanks, having prepared sets for several of the States, have undertaken the preparation of a complete set of books and blanks for Michigan, under the advice and suggestions of the Superintendent. They will duly advertise the districts of the way of obtaining them.

A copy of this volume will be furnished to each district, township and county officer concerned in the administration of the school laws, to be used by him during his term of office, and at the expiration thereof to be delivered to his successor.

In closing these introductory statements, the Superintendent would remind the school officers of the State that it is not by the mere administration of the letter of the law that the best interests of the schools are to be efficiently promoted. There is a wide field of usefulness outside of the limit of merely official duties, in which every school officer may do much to advance education and improve the character of the schools. Educational Societies, Teachers' Associations in townships and counties, Teachers' Institutes, School Examinations, and Celebrations, are most efficient means to cultivate the public sentiment, to improve the teachers, and to infuse a spirit of active zeal and enterprize into the School System.

With proper care and attention, and with but little effort, our Schools, without becoming at all more expensive, might be made

doubly efficient. With the same outlay of time and money as now, the children of the State might be twice as well educated as they are under the present methods. With an awakened public interest, and with an aroused and active body of teachers, the dull and dreary months through which many of our Schools now drag heavily along, with scarcely a sign of advancement, would become periods of life and progress; and their fruits would be seen in the quickened intelligence and enlarged acquisitions of all the pupils.