NOTICE. The Annual Report of the Superintendent of Public Instruction is forwarded to the several County Clerks for distribution as follows: One copy to each County Clerk, County Treasurer, Township Clerk, (for the use of School Inspectors,) and District Director. Where there is a district library, the latter Report should be there deposited; and where there is none, the Director should deliver those received while in office, to his successor, at the expiration of his term. To the Honorable the Legislature of the State of Michigan: GENTLEMEN—In compliance with the requirements of law, I have the honor to submit the following REPORT: The general sentiment which pervades the entire State, respecting our educational interests, is most gratifying. The people are evidently in earnest in their efforts to secure good schools. The grading of our schools, which a few years since, met with such general disapproval, and in many places encountered most violent opposition, is now as generally regarded an absolute necessity. The erection of beautiful school edifices, in so many of our large towns and villages, the constantly increasing demand for thoroughly qualified teachers, the increase of teachers' wages, although in many instances far below what they should be, yet a large advance upon what was ever paid before, all show a constantly increasing interest in the work of education. The importance of improving the character of our public schools, is becoming more and more appreciated. It seems to be the purpose of many communities to furnish every facility in their power, that may aid in bringing the schools to the highest state of perfection. There is no good reason why the schools of Michigan should be inferior to any in the nation. Praise may indicate real worth, but never produces it. The mere lauding of our school system will never produce good schools. |