pupils are trained in the uses of carpenter's tools with these immediate results ;-instruction in the names and uses of tools, construction of simple, inexpensive and useful apparatus for illustrating elementary scientific truths, and at once good exercise and a recreation. In connection with gymnastic training special attention is given to the physical health of the pupils with most satisfactory results. The building also received a new tin roof and other much needed repairs. The appropriation was not quite sufficient to pay for all that was done, but the balance was by careful management saved from the appropriation for the ordinary expenses of the school. The Board is of opinion that the increased facilities furnished the school by this appropriation will yield as generous returns as any like amount expended in any way whatsoever.

The number of pupils now in attendance is as great as the school can accommodate and successfully train. It is no longer necessary to make efforts to secure scholars. The constant demand from all parts of the State for graduates that has to be negatived because of the deficient supply, and the large increase in letters of inquiry from candidates concerning the school give evidence of an increased public appreciation of its benefits. During the past year the applications for information from those who would be pupils have increased from thirty-three to fifty per cent. over those of the previous year. Of the scholars in attendance the enrollment is 292, or 26 more than that of any previous year.

The demand for Normal School graduates since September last (when most of the schools begin their yearly sessions) has been from 75 to 85 in excess of the supply. Statistics show that of the 3,092 teachers in the State about 400 are new every year. At the present ratio of demand not less than 130 of these places could be filled by Normal School graduates, if they were to be had.

The institution must always remain open to the graduate of the Connecticut common school and the standard of admission must not be placed too high. It is, however, the purpose of the instructors to discourage pupils from continuing study unless they show qualities sufficiently meritorious to warrant the belief that they will succeed as teachers. To make efficient teachers for the common schools, so far as training can do it, is the purpose which the Board and the instructors at the Normal School keep constantly before them. That this purpose is appreciated is to some extent shown by the presence, in the course of every year, of not less than 2,000 visitors, no small portion of whom are teachers who come to observe the methods in use in the various model schools. The fullness of numbers now on the rolls of the school, the larger pressure to secure its benefits, with the steadily growing demand for the services of its graduates, indicate to the Board the possibility of a public call at no very distant day for a second school in some other locality, for whose work in the public schools of the Commonwealth there will be ample room.

CHILD LABOR.

The law in reference to child labor in manufactories, etc., referred to at length in the last report, has during the past year received the careful attention of the Board. The act of the last session of the General Assembly giving the Board power to assign to its agents other work than simply ejecting from manufactories, etc., children of the prohibited ages has proved to be a good measure. By its powers, when found unlawfully employed, children can be and are placed in school by the same authority that removes them from the factory.

As was true last year, the principal opposition to the law comes from parents. In various ways and for various assigned reasons, but evidently very largely from pure avarice, many

parents continue to seek every opportunity to place their children in manufactories, etc., before they can legally be there. This action of those, who with so large an advantage of position should be the children's best friends, often defeats the purpose of the law. Now that employers generally understand its provisions there is less occasion than formerly to invoke its penalties—although there have been a few prosecutions—but in general there is a cordial acquiescence in its requirements. The principle of the law seems to be well approved. Any thing the law can wisely do to promote education among those not otherwise likely to enjoy its benefits is a service to the Commonwealth. That this law is such seems entirely clear to the Board. Suggestions of such modifications as seem calculated to promote the best interests of those affected by it will be found in the accompanying report of the Secretary and Agents of the Board.

TOWN MANAGEMENT.

The Board regrets the failure of the proposition before the last session of the General Assembly to put the entire management of schools into the care of the towns. The considerations favorable to such action, which its observation does but constantly confirm, have been heretofore at length expressed in the reports of this Board and need not here be repeated. Neither the results of experiment nor sound reason are against the proposition. The very considerable advance made in the present support over that which the project received when previously brought forward gives good reason to hope that before very long the State will adopt the policy of a single instead of a double management of its schools.

WOMEN AS SCHOOL OFFICERS.

The law of last year providing for the eligibility of women to certain school offices removes any doubt that may have

existed as to the legality of their service in such capacity. In certain places they have already served on boards of school visitors, and at the October town elections eight of them were placed thereon. In other States they have occupied positions connected with school management of considerable responsibility. It seems to the Board that there are many localities that would be benefited if their competent women, ex-teachers and others, could be induced to serve the public in educational trusts.

EVENING SCHOOLS.

The Board invites attention to the laws providing for evening schools for those over fourteen years of age, and suggests to all towns having within their limits persons likely to be benefited by such schools that it would be of much value both to scholar and town to provide them. Toward the expense of such schools maintained not less than fifty evenings in a year the State furnishes one dollar and fifty cents for each average attendant. In places where they have been tried they have worked well. A list of such places with other statistics concerning them may be found on page 58. Industrial condi tions have greatly changed within a generation or two. Large numbers of children are put into factories at an early age. The pressure, above alluded to, to put them there at a too early age shows no signs of weakening. And so there comes a call to meet these new conditions and help those who crave help to stand on a better vantage ground in the struggle of life. Not all, possibly not most, will crave it. But the boy who, after a day's work in the factory, deliberately gives his evenings to improving his mind, and perseveres therein, resisting his own and others' promptings to pleasure-seeking, has in him that which it is well worth while to develop. To put a youth into contact with useful books and the stimulus of a good teacher not only provides him with the most satisfactory way of spend

ing time while it is passing, but furnishes him food for thought during his working hours, improves and elevates his taste, equips him for better wages, better position, increases the probabilities of his becoming a tax-payer rather than a taxconsumer, in short, it makes him more of a man.

COMPILATION OF SCHOOL LAWS.

Advantage has been taken of the completion of a new revision of the Statutes of the State to prepare a pamphlet of laws relating to educational matters for the information of those holding official positions connected with schools. This compilation will be more comprehensive, valuable and complete than any of its predecessors. The statutory provisions concerning each topic are followed by annotations showing briefly the points covered, with reference also to their places in the statutes, the dates of their enactment into law and the decisions of the Supreme Court. This can hardly fail to be of great service to all in any way connected with the management of schools. Its arrangement is so complete that it will yield to a slight examination many answers to questions that have heretofore made no small drafts upon the time of the Secretary and his assistants.

JAMES L. HOWARD.

ANTHONY AMES.

GEORGE M. CARRINGTON.

WILLIAM G. SUMNER.

EDWARD D. ROBBINS.

Hartford, Jan. 9, 1888.