erary, language, and English, from which students may choose. The English course covers 3 years; the others, 4. A special 4-year course with music is given, in which students are trained in harmony, voice culture, and solo singing, instrumental music being elective.

The University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, in its department of the science and the art of teaching, presents 5 elective courses: the art of teaching and governing, the science of education, school supervision, history of education, and the teachers' seminary, each covering 4 years. The last course is for the study and discussion of special topics in the history and philosophy of education. It offers, besides facilities for studying the art of teaching and governing, instruction in methods of general school room practice, in the art of grading and arranging courses of study, and in the conduct of institutes. There were 113 students enrolled in this department during 1883-'84.

OTHER NORMAL TRAINING.

Both Adrian College and Hillsdale College offer a 2-year course in normal training, and Olivet gives 3 courses, viz, an elementary course of 2 years, the same course with an additional year as a full English course, and a language course of 4 years, the last offering a choice between ancient languages and German and French. There was also a summer normal class continuing 5 weeks.

The catalogue of Battle Creek College seems to indicate that the normal department has been dropped, as no notice of it appears.

Training schools are included in the city school systems of Detroit and East Saginaw.

TEACHERS' INSTITUTES.

The institutes in 1883 and 1884 are said to have been generally better attended and to have awakened more interest than ever before. Under the new law there is added to the standing of teachers 1 per cent. for each day's attendance; teachers also are permitted to draw pay during institute attendance, although their schools may be in session. In 1883 institutes were held in 65 counties, with a total enrolment of 5,758; one of these was a State institute held under the direction of the State superintendent and in which the program for the county institutes is discussed and determined. Of the teachers present 43 held State, 99 normal, 312 first, 487 second, 3,374 third grade, and 140 special certificates. Normal school instruction had been received by 1,495, and 1,261 were without experience in teaching. A marked decrease was noted in the attendance of teachers holding higher grade certificates, but a still larger increase in that of those holding third grade certificates, showing that the institutes were reaching that class of teachers most in need of normal instruction.

EDUCATIONAL JOURNAL.

The Michigan School Moderator, a weekly journal published at Grand Rapids, continued to be the official organ of public instruction and the chief medium for the diffusion of educational information throughout the State. It was in its fifth year in 1883-84.

SECONDARY INSTRUCTION.

PUBLIC HIGH SCHOOLS.

Any school district containing 100 or more children of school age may, by a twothirds vote of the qualified electors present at any annual meeting, organize as a graded school district. The board of trustees of any graded school district, when so ordered by a vote of the district, must establish a high school and determine the qualifications for admission to it. High school departments were reported in 60 graded school districts in 1882-'83, with a total enrolment of 7,021 pupils. Detroit high schools report excellent and progressive work in their 4-year English, classical, Latin, and Englishpreparatory courses. A commercial course was established at the beginning of the year and pursued with satisfactory results. The schools had an enrolment in 1883-'84 of 509 pupils, including 76 graduate students, and 75 were graduated in June, 1884, a class of 26 having been sent out the January preceding. The common English course, the preparatory English, the classical course, and the Latin-scientific course in the Grand Rapids high school cover 4 years; the scientific and engineering course and the courses in French and German, 3 years each. Attendance for the year, 458.

SUPERIOR INSTRUCTION.

COLLEGES FOR BOTH SEXES.

The University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, a part of the public educational system of the State, sustained from the proceeds of the United States land grants and from State appropriations, aims to complete the work begun in the public schools by furnishing facilities for a liberal general education and for the thorough study of med icine, pharmacy, law, and dentistry. Its privileges are gratuitously extended

men and women alike who are qualified for admission, whether residents of the State or not. In the department of literature, science, and the arts, different lines of study lead to the degrees of A. B., B. S., and LIT. B., to the corresponding masters' degrees, and to 3 degrees in engineering. In the undergraduate courses the studies are for the first 2 years required, but at the beginning of the third year students are allowed almost unlimited freedom of choice. The advanced studies of the school of political science, noticed in 1882, are among the electives which are not taken till after the completion of the required studies of the first 2 years; and these electives, comprising 12 courses in political and constitutional history, 8 in economic sciences, 3 in social, sanitary, and educational science, and 6 in constitutional administration and international law, may be chosen by other undergraduates as well as by those belonging to the school.

The number of women attending in 1883 was 170, of whom 107 were in literary studies and the others in medicine, law, pharmacy, and dentistry.

The university received in 1882-83 $37,200 from the State and several gifts from friends, among them $2,500 from one who withholds his name, for the purchase of historical works, and $6,500 from Mr. James McMillan, of Detroit, for the purchase of a most valuable Shakespeare library, including a choice collection made by Hon. E. H. Thomson, of Flint. In 1883-84 a bequest was received of a collection of art material comprising about 600 pictures and 30 pieces of marble, valued at $200,000, from Henry C. Lewis, of Coldwater, a condition being that Mrs. Lewis might, if she pleased, retain possession of the collection during her life.

Of 8 other institutions in the State claiming collegiate rank, 2, Battle Creek and Grand Traverse, appear to be doing no real college work. The remaining colleges all present classical courses of study of 4 years, and all but Hope College, scientific courses of equal length, Adrian and Hillsdale adding a philosophical course, Albion and Kalamazoo a Latin scientific, Adrian and Olivet a special course for ladies, and Adrian and Hillsdale business courses.

The new plan of study adopted in Albion College in 1881-'82, in which the study of modern languages precedes the study of ancient, has worked satisfactorily. This method, claimed by its friends to be the natural one, was fully introduced into the two lower classes, and, as far as practicable, into those which had already completed a portion of the course on the old plan. Many young men and women have been attracted to the institution by this system and the results seem to justify the adoption of the plan.

Hope College, under charge of the Reformed Church, received in 1883-84 from various friends $4,582, partly to defray current expenses, the remainder to aid in endow

ment.

Hillsdale College (Free Will Baptist), was given $3,362.04 by various friends, the interest to be used for the equipment of a biological library and other special objects; also, to increase the general endowment.

For statistics, see Table IX of the appendix, and for a summary, see a corresponding table in the report of the Commissioner preceding.

INSTITUTIONS FOR THE SUPERIOR INSTRUCTION OF YOUNG WOMEN.

Women are admitted to all the colleges of the State on equal terms with men. Further provision for them is made in Michigan Female Seminary, Kalamazoo, authorized by law to confer collegiate degrees, which reported 37 undergraduate students and 10 in a preparatory department in 1883-'84.

SCIENTIFIC AND PROFESSIONAL INSTRUCTION.

SCIENTIFIC.

The Michigan State Agricultural College, Lansing, besides other branches necessary to a good education, teaches surveying, levelling, laying out of grounds, mechanics as applied to implements, building, stock breeding, agricultural chemistry, horticulture, and such practical applications of science as are specially useful to the farmer. The farm comprises 676 acres, of which 10 are devoted to experiments, 180 to a systematic rotation of crops, and 110 to woodland pasture. Students are required to labor three hours each week day, except Saturday; most of their work is paid for, the maximum rate being 8 cents an hour. The degree of B. S. was conferred in 1883 on 29 young men and 1 young woman; that of M. S., on 5 young men.

Scientific courses, as already noted, are found in the State university and in all the other colleges of the State except one, the State university making provision for graduate study leading to the degree of master of science, as well as offering technical courses in civil, mechanical, and mining engineering.

For statistics of scientific schools and departments of colleges, see Tables IX and X of the appendix, and for summaries, see corresponding tables in the report of the Commissioner preceding.

PROFESSIONAL.

Theological instruction was given in Adrian College, Adrian (Methodist Protestant), and Hillsdale College, Hillsdale (Free Will Baptist), in courses of 3 years to 56 students, 43 of them in the latter, including 38 undergraduates and 5 resident graduates. Battle Creek College (Seventh Day Baptist) offers a biblical course of study, the aim of which is to lead students to a familiarity with the Bible before all other writings, making use of the latter only as they may serve to explain the former. Whether or not any students were engaged in these studies does not appear from the catalogue. The law department of the University of Michigan aims to give students a thorough preparation in the several branches of constitutional, international, maritime, commercial, and criminal law, medical jurisprudence, and the jurisprudence of the United States. A spacious building is devoted to its accommodation, with debating and society rooms, and the conveniences of the department are exceptionally good. During 1883-84 the course of instruction was extended so as to include the entire college year of 9 months. Opportunity is thus afforded the law students to attend without additional expense some of the lectures delivered in the department of literature, science, and arts. An admission examination is required of candidates for a degree, unless they are graduates of some collegiate institution, high school, or institution of corresponding grade.

The medical schools are the department of medicine and surgery of the University of Michigan, Detroit Medical College, the Homœopathic Medical College of the University of Michigan, and Michigan College of Medicine, Detroit. Both schools of the university agree in requiring of candidates for their diplomas a 3-year graded course, each year (of 9 months) being divided into two semesters, which close with written examinations on the work gone over. Women are admitted, and their instruction is, in all respects, equal to that of men. An examination for admission is required of all candidates not able otherwise to prove that they are qualified for the study of medicine. Detroit Medical College and Michigan College of Medicine present the usual 3 years of study, including 2 courses of lectures; the latter, however, advises a 3-year graded course. Both require of applicants for admission sufficient knowledge of the branches of an English education to enable them to engage intelligently in the study of medicine; and this knowledge must be proved by an examination, if it be not shown by diplomas or certificates from some competent educational insti

tution.

For statistics of professional schools, see Tables XI, XII, and XIII of the appendix; for summaries of their statistics, corresponding tables in the report of the Commissioner preceding.

SPECIAL INSTRUCTION.

EDUCATION OF THE DEAF AND DUMB.

The Michigan Institution for the Education of the Deaf and Dumb, Flint, for 1883-'84, reported 141 male and 126 female students. The studies of the common school and some of the high school branches are pursued, oral and manual methods being employed. The time allowed for completing the course is 10 years, but the average time devoted to study by the pupils is about 5. The number of instructors was 15, 2 of them deafmutes. Agriculture, cabinet making, carpentry, printing, and shoemaking are taught to the boys; sewing, cookery, and general housework, to the girls. The institution owns 83 acres of land, valued, with buildings, at $437,123. State appropriation for the year, $45,000; expenditure, $42,762.

The Evangelical Lutheran Deaf-Mute Institute, Norris, sustained by the Evangelical Lutheran Synod of Missouri, gives instruction in the common school branches, with drawing, gardening, and housework. There were 28 male and 16 female pupils, under 3 instructors, in 1883-'84. Method of instruction, German articulation. Average time spent in the institution by the pupils, 4 to 6 years. Value of buildings and the 20 acres of land owned, $15,000. Money given the institution in 1883-84, $4,000, intended for payment of debts and for current expenses; other income, $1,400. Total expenditure, about $6,000.

The Class in Articulation for the Deaf, Marquette, is no longer in operation.

Michigan School for the Blind, Lansing, gives instruction in the common English branches, with astronomy, chemistry, geology, geometry, and physics. The boys are also taught broom making, and the girls, crocheting, knitting, and sewing by machine. In 1883-84 there were 50 pupils and 26 instructors and employés. Amount of State appropriation for the year, $132,000. Value of buildings, grounds, &c., $78,000.

REFORMATORY AND INDUSTRIAL TRAINING.

The Michigan Reform School, Lansing, aims to improve, educate, and give industrial training to boys of 10 to 16 years of age convicted of crime by the courts. The boys attend school 4 hours 5 days each week, and work the same length of time, per

forming the entire labor of the institution, under the direction of competent instructors. Boys who have merited confidence by good conduct are granted leave of absence and are required to make satisfactory reports at stated times. The whole number committed to September, 1883, since opening, was 2,864. In 1882-'83 there were 352 boys in the school. Total expenditure for the year, $53,028. For full statistics, see Table XXI of appendix.

The State Industrial Home for Girls, Adrian, one of the last established of the State institutions, is still in the experimental stage, but the results of its work for the first 3 years have been excellent. Girls between the ages of 7 and 17 are committed to it by the courts for any offence not punishable by imprisonment for life, and are taught the common English branches, domestic work, sewing, dressmaking, &c. School work occupies the afternoon and an hour in the evening. Religious instruction forms an important part of the education. There were 159 inmates at date of report, September, 1884.

EDUCATION OF POOR AND DEPENDENT CHILDREN.

The State Public School for Dependent Children, Coldwater, receives children 3 to 12, training them in school studies and industries, caring for their health and morals, and finding homes for them in families. Up to 1883 there had been 1,200 thus cared for since the organization of the school, 10 years previous. Of these, 900 had been sent to homes, 300 remaining in the school. A majority of the 900 were then in comfortable homes, with every encouragement to develop into good citizens. The pupils eurolled in each of the years 1883 and 1884 was 469, of whom 131 were placed in homes in the former and 258 in the latter year. Whole expenditure for the two years, $91,794. Since the previous biennial report 34 acres of land have been added to the grounds. A serviceable hospital was also built and furnished during this time at a cost of $7,000.

EDUCATIONAL CONVENTION.

STATE ASSOCIATION.

The Michigan State Teachers' Association held its thirty-second annual meeting at Lansing, December 26-28, 1883, Prof. Estabrook presiding. The title of the president's address was "Effects of alcohol on the human system," after which papers were read on "Courses of study for smaller high schools," "Methods of study of the classics," "The study of the English language as a means of mental culture," "True education," "How can we best care for the eye, ear, and brain in school life ?" "Defects in the present system of examinations," and "Effective energy in teaching and grading of district schools." At the closing session it was resolved that a committee be appointed, consisting of the State superintendent, Prof. Putnam, and President Estabrook, to consider the subject matter of Prof. Putnam's paper on "Grading public schools," to wait upon the governor and request him to call the attention of the legislature to the subject and recommend favorable action. It was further resolved that the subject of county institutes be likewise considered and presented by the committee. Other resolutions followed; after which the officers were elected for the ensuing year and the association adjourned.

CHIEF STATE SCHOOL OFFICER.

Hon. HERSCHEL R. GASS, State superintendent of public instruction, Lansing.

[Term, March, 1883, to April 21, 1885.]

Mr. Gass is understood to have been reappointed and to have resigned early in his second term, and to have been succeeded by Hon. Theodore Nelson, LL.D.

a These figures include all property, as furniture, &c., as given in the State report. (From the biennial report of Hon. D. L. Kiehle, superintendent of public instruction, for the years mentioned.)

STATE SCHOOL SYSTEM.

GENERAL CONDITION.

The statistical summary for the year 1883-'84 shows an increase in all the items given, the per cent. of enrolment of the school population appearing to be the same