Muscatine owns four fine brick school buildings, each having an average capacity of four hundred. These are all seated with the best modern school furniture, and have a liberal supply of apparatus and appliances. Nearly twenty-two hundred children were enrolled in 1890-91, in charge of forty-nine teachers, with one superintendent. The course of study adopted in 1864 has been slightly altered in all the grades, but most in the higher grades. Our course now covers twelve years. For the past eight or nine years we have had a special teacher in writing and drawing. for which the outlay seems well expended. Music has also been taught, although not at present in our course. Physical culture has received considerable attention during the past six years. Teachers and pupils in all grades enjoy these daily exercises. Children in the first, second and third grades are released morning and afternoon after a session of one and three-quarter hours. It has always been a weak point in our school system that the good and vicious are thrown together away from parents, or teachers, away from all restraining care. The recess was the one great opportunity, and many a pure little girl and boy were led astray. It seems to be an axiom, that either the children must be carefully supervised by the teacher at recess, or there should be no recess. To the recess was charged much of the disorder in the school, and it is believed a considerable part of sickness, especially colds and all kindred disorders are directly traceable to the recess. Had the recess enough redeeming qualities to justify its continuance? It was deemed wise to make a trial to abandon recess. Six years ago we ceased to have recesses, gave the children the fifteen minutes by closing earlier, and finally all grades closed together in the afternoon at 3:15, beginning the session at 1:30. Almost every child goes home to its dinner. The people of the city whose children are in the schools appear to be well pleased, and it seems to me doubtful if we could return again to a recess. It has been the policy of the school management for many years, to retain the able and efficient teachers as long as they desire to stay. Teachers are required to hold a first-class certificate from the county superintendent, and in addition to this to pass an examination in algebra, physical geography, physics, general history or botany. Eighty per cent of our teachers at this time are graduates of our own schools. MARSHALLTOWN. President of board.. Secretary of board. Superintendent.... Salary of superintendent.. Principal of high school.. A. F. HARADAN C. P. ROGERS . BERTHA L. BROWN Number of teachers required to supply the schools, not including superintendent .. ..$900.00 57 Number of special teachers, and monthly salary paid 9 Number of months in school year. Total expended for all purposes, from September, 1890, to September, 1891.. Present assessed valuation of district. Present bonded indebtedness.. Number school houses..... $ 42,688.00 1,539,359.00 57,000.00 7 Number of kindergartens proper... $ 118,000.00 200.00 400 2 Number of teachers employed in kindergarten work. pupil in primary grades... 4 1.09 Estimated yearly average cost of text-books only, per pupil in grammar grades. 2.24 Estimated yearly average cost of text-books only, per pupil in high school grades... 4.44 The schools of this city have made steady increase in attendance for the past five years. We have found it necessary to open from one to three additional schools each year. The present facilities are ample and probably will meet all requirements for some years to come. The course of instruction now includes the special branches of drawing, penmanship and music. Physical culture receives attention in an incidental way, and is combined as far as possible with instruction in hygiene. After a brief experience in omitting recess, the program for the day now includes a regular out-door recess each half day session. Out-door exercise under favorable conditions of weather, does much to remove the necessity of physical exercise in the school room and under the restraints of class methods. Drawing has been maintained under a special teacher for the past three years. The Prang system has been adopted, and very gratifying results have been obtained. Music is under the direction of a special teacher. Instruction in penmanship receives special supervision by the teacher of the commercial department of the high school. No special provision has been made for instruction in manual training. Much of the instruction in drawing takes the form of handicraft work, which is done out of school hours. A large majority of the teachers selected have received preparation in colleges or normal schools. About one quarter of the present corps are graduates of the high school here, without any additional preparation for teaching except that afforded in the county institute. As a condition of employ ment in the city schools the board require at least one year's successful experience after having graduated from the high school. This experience is usually obtained in rural districts. The teachers employed in the kindergarten department are all under pay, no volunteers being accepted or permitted. Number of teachers required to supply the schools, not including superintendent. . . . . . 26 Estimated yearly average cost of text-books only, per pupil in primary grades.... Estimated yearly average cost of text-books only, per pupil in grammar grades 3.00 Estimated yearly average cost of text-books only, per pupil in high school grades 5.00 |