cent in 1892. The ratio of men to women teachers was 66 per cent in 1845 and only about 26 per cent in 1892. This will appear from the following tables: While the number of teachers has increased 427 per cent since 1845 the total amount paid teachers has increased 1,717 per cent. Still more significant of improvement in the lot of the teacher is the increase in the average wages of teachers. This increase is more marked in the wages of women than of men. While the average monthly wages of men teachers increased, since 1865, 14 per cent the average wages of women teachers increased in the same period 94 per cent. This is shown by the following tables: An examination of the wages paid in graded and ungraded districts reveals the fact that there has been an actual reduction in the average wages of men teachers in ungraded districts since 1875. Unfortunately no very complete reports have been preserved of the attendance on teachers' institutes prior to 1880. Taking the oldest record of attendance, that of 1870, as a basis, it appears that the attendance on institutes increased 288 per cent fron 1870 to 1890, while the expenditures for institutes increased at a rate nearly twice as great, namely, 564 per cent in the same period. From 1890 to 1892, despite an increase of four in the number of institutes held and of $1,129.64 in the amount expended for these institutes, there was a falling off of 1,472 in the attendance. *NOTE-The falling off in the number of institutes in 1875 was due to a change that year from county to township supervision of schools. In 1874 there were 13 and in 1876 there were 8. ་ The earliest reports accessible giving the number and grade of certificates held by the teachers of the State are those of 1880. The following tables compiled from these reports afford interesting material for reflection. The relative increase of higher and lower grade certificates is not of a character to afford occasion for pride or self-congratulation on the part of those interested in the advancement of Michigan's public school system. Number of certificates granted by County Boards of School Examiners. |