The total number of persons in the district of school age was 5,850; the enrollment, 4,042; average number belonging, 2,295; average daily attendance, 2,036; number of teachers employed, 50; percentage of attendance, 91. The course of study received some modifications this year. Too much prominence had been given to Geography, and it was discontinued in the two highest grades and Botany introduced instead, which alternated with History of the United States. Some little progress was thought to have been made in vocal music, under a special teacher. The regular teachers, so it appears from the published report of this year, had, with few exceptions, not encouraged the music teacher in his labors. Drawing had a worse fate than music. The instruction was not systematic and therefore unproductive of practical results. Superintendent Phillips said: "I see no remedy except in employing a thoroughly competent special teacher to superintendent and direct the teaching of mechanical and object drawing in all the schools." 1872-3-4 No report of the schools was published from 1872 to 1874. The superintendent preserved some of the statistics, which indicate continued progress in the quantity and quality of the work. Public sentiment in favor of the schools was forming and crystallizing, and whatever opposition there had once been was rapidly dying out. An effort was made during this period to teach “object lessons" after the plan proposed by Mr. Sheldon. The results in the lower grades were not satisfactory, and the work in this direction was virtually abandoned. When the Board was organized in September, 1872, W. E. Sheffield was elected President; James Craig, Secretary, and J. V. C. Karnes, Treasurer. The other members were T. K. Hanna, Henry R. Seeger and Joseph Feld. John R. Phillips, Superintendent. The enumeration of school children in 1872 was 6,198, of whom 4,138 were enrolled in the schools. The average number belonging was 2,361; the average daily attendance, 2,034; the percentage of attendance, 90. There were employed 57 teachers, including the special teachers of music and German. The school year of 1873-4 produced the following changes in the Board: Major Henry A. White and Mr. C. A. Chace were elected the successors of W. E. Sheffield and Joseph Feld, the retiring members. The only change in the officers was that Henry A. White was elected President. The Secretary and Treasurer were re-elected. Each year the schools continued to improve. The pupils were more regular in their attendance, better discipline was maintained, and there was a perceptible improvement in methods of instruction. The total number of teachers employed was 56. Enumeration of children of school age, 6,636, a small increase over the preceding year. There were enrolled in the schools, 4, 164 pupils; the average number belonging, 2,517; aver. age daily attendance, 2,328; and percentage of attendance, 91.5. SUPERINTENDENT JOHN R. PHILLIPS. Supt. Phillips resigned July, 1874, after having charge of the city schools for five years. He found the schools unorganized, ungraded, and each school independent of the others. There was an entire absence of anything like a common unity in the work. He addressed himself diligently to the reformation of abuses that had crept into the schools. A course of study, such as had the sanction of the best educators of our country, was adopted, embracing seven years for the ward schools and four years for the high school department. As an organizer, Mr. Phillips planned and executed well. His entire administration was eminently successful, and he laid a solid foundation at the beginning of his work here to which he conscientiously adhered. In his official relations with the Board of Education and the teachers he was always courteous and gentlemanly. His sense of right and justice were two of the most prominent traits of his character, and he carried these ideas into all the practical duties of life. November, 1874, after a brief illness, Prof. John R. Phillips died at his residence on Forest avenue. Thus passed away in the prime of his manhood one who had devoted five years to building up of the cause of popular education in Kansas City. His loss was universally deplored by all classes of citizens. 1874-5. In July, 1874, Mr. J. M. Greenwood was elected Superintendent, which position he still occupies. For the school year of 1874-5, the officers of the board were unchanged. Mr. R. H. Hunt and Mr. James Craig were elected to fill the vacancies which occurred in September, 1874. The board thus organized was composed of the following gentlemen: Messrs. H. A. White, President; J. V. C. Karnes, Secretary; James Craig Treasurer; Thos. K. Hanna, C. A. Chace and R. H. Hunt. Enumeration of school children April, 1874, was 7,738; and the following year 8,144. The number of pupils enrolled was 4,262, an increase of sixty-six over the previous year. Fifty-five rooms were owned by the district. During the year there were fifty-eight teachers employed in the schools. Upon taking charge of the schools Mr. Greenwood arranged a syllabus of the course of study that would serve as a guide for the teachers. Using this, the work was systematized in all the grades. Special attention was given to language and composition exercises. To remedy defects in reading the teachers received special drill in phonic analysis. How to teach each branch in the ward schools and how to adapt the instruction to the capacity of the pupils were fully explained at the monthly meetings. The plan of promoting upon the final examination only was discontinued ; and promotions were made upon the "mean" average of the written examinations, the daily work, and the daily deportment record. Excellent results were produced in the schools, and greater incentives to good conduct established. Selfcontrol became an important factor in school management. 1875-6. The school year opened favorably. Messrs. Hanna and White retired, and Mr. Henry Switzer and Mr. E. L. Martin were elected their successors. ORGANIZATION SEPTEMBER, 1875. Officers: J. V. C. Karnes, President; Henry Switzer, Secretary; James Craig, Treasurer. Members: J. V. C. Karnes, Robert H. Hunt, James Craig, Henry Switzer, C. A. Chace, E. L. Martin. STATISTICS. Total number of persons, between six and twenty years of age, 7, 126; total enrollment of pupils in the schools, 4, 301; number of teachers, 60. During the summer the Central school building was erected. The total expenditures for all purposes per treasurer's report, was $87,262.98. In methods of instruction the following principles were closely adhered to: 1. The teacher must understand the entire nature of the pupil to be educated -physically, morally, intellectually, socially and esthetically. 2. This knowledge can be acquired by studying the body and its relations to the mind and reciprocally. 3. The subject to be taught must always be adapted to the capacity of the pupil. 4. In teaching, pass by easy steps from the known to the unknown. 5. In teaching, first present the concrete phase of the subject before the abstract by addressing both the eye and ear. 6. Small children, especially, need a great deal of practice and but little theory. 7. Teach one thing only at a time. 8. Mark the difference between thorough teaching and exhaustive teaching. 9. The teacher must know the subject matter to be taught. SUMMARY OF THE YEAR'S WORK. The work of the year was quite satisfactory. Decided improvement in teaching some of the branches was made, and the instruction in other branches more thorough, systematic and rational than ever before. Reading was better taught, and there appeared to be much greater interest taken in the subject than formerly. The reading of the pupils was, generally, natural, the articulation plain and distinct, and there seemed to be an earnest desire on the part of teachers and pupils to express the sentiments and feelings of the author in appropriate language. Perhaps one of the marked improvements was in teaching Geography. This subject in nearly all the schools was brought to a fair degree of perfection. The year before, the first attempt was made to teach writing on a scientific basis. Most cheerfully the teachers made the effort, and the rapid progress of the pupils surpassed all expectations. Drawing received considerable attention; many pupils made wonderful progress. As a means of cultivating the hand, the eye, the imagination, the taste to appreciate the artistic in painting, sculpture, architecture, and designs of all kinds, drawing is invaluable. Composition by degrees worked its way into all the schools, so that now it was one of the regular exercises of each week. During the year a public library, to be under the immediate supervision of the board, and to be as permanent as any other department of the school system, was established. In aid of this movement three entertainments were given by the principals of the Lathrop, Humboldt and Washington schools, from which was realized $446.50, and to this was added the very handsome sum of $490, given by the patriotic ladies of the Centennial Association. From this beginning, together with the many contributions from the citizens, the foundation of a library was laid which will greatly increase the efficiency of our schools, and exert a direct influence on the prosperity of our city. The library was opened November, 1876, with a thousand volumns of choice works on the shelves. 1876-7. The organization of the board remained the same as the year previous, and there was no change in the membership. in The school population was 8,303; the total enrollment of pupils 4.334, structed by 58 teachers. Instruction in the German language was discontinued in the District Schools but retained in the Central school. The financial condition of the district steadily improved. In the schools themselves everything was most satisfactory, and it was undoubtedly the most successful year since the organization of the schools, its workings becoming better understood by the people, and they lent a hearty support. In every department there has been the most perfect harmony, and one aim has seemingly prompted all alike, and that was for the greatest possible efficiency and progress. A thousand volumes were added to the library. It seemed to meet a public necessity, and the demand has been constantly increasing. There are now in the library about two thousand volumes, embracing every line of reading and investigation. During the year the work of the board had been very pleasant. Not a single disturbing element from within, and but few complaints have come from without. The fame of the schools, their harmony and efficiency, has gone abroad, and that the educational growth is considered as marvelous as the commercial prosperity of the city. 1877-8. Owing to a change in the school law the Board was not re-organized till April 1878. The only change in the officers that occurred was that Mr. E. L. Martin was elected Treasurer and Mr. James Craig General Agent. The total number of persons in the district was 9,622, of whom 4,622 attended school, and were instructed by 59 teachers. The new Lincoln school building, consisting of seven rooms was erected at a total cost of $7.000. Το On June 14, 1878, the public schools of Kansas City closed their eleventh year. From a small and doubtful beginning in the fall of 1867, they steadily grew in usefulness and prosperity until, with much pride and satisfaction, we can fairly say that they were now unsurpassed by any system of public instruction in the west. This high ground had been reached after much care and effort. maintain this high standard it was necessary to ignore all sectarian and political influence, to preserve entire harmony in all the departments, and in the election of teachers to disregard all favoritism, and employ only those of the broadest culture and most extended experience. The past year had been one of unusual success. There had been no disturbances of any kind. The teachers vied with one another in the full discharge of their important duties, and as an evidence of their efficiency and fidelity, upon the recommendation of the Superintendent, and with the concurrence of every member of the Board, the entire corps, without a single exception were all re-elected. 1878-9. During this year one change only was made in the Board. Mr. R. L. Yeager having been elected successor to Mr. R. H. Hunt. The officers were re-elected so that there was no change in the organization. The school census shows the enumeration of persons of school age in the district to be 11,325, and the enrollment of pupils in school is 5,259, taught by sixty-two teachers. The rapid growth of the city rendered it necessary that increased school accommodations should be provided, and during the summer vacation additions were made to the Franklin and Humboldt school buildings, thus furnishing eight new and commodious rooms at a total cost of $8,640; but the crowded condition of the schools still remained a subject of constant and anxious consideration of the Board. All the schools were literally packed full of children, yet the entire working of the school system was highly satisfactory. 1879 80. Since the last annual report, another school year has come and gone. This period has been marked by more than the usual changes in the educational management, the most important of which have been in the organization of the board. On October 31, 1879, James Craig, having removed from the State, resigned the office of director, which he had held continuously since December 2, 1869; and, on April 29, 1880, Henry Switzer died, leaving vacant the directorship he had likewise held continuously since September 21, 1875. Both of these |