REMARKS AND ACKNOWLEDGMENTS. By the action of the twenty-third general assembly, the report of the superintendent is now made to the governor on the first day of November, preceding the regular session of that body. The last report of this department in accordance with the law as it then was, requiring the report to be made August 15, could not contain anything from the reports of the various county superintendents later than 1886. Consequently the present report contains the statistics for the years 1887, 1888, and 1889, including everything up to the close of the year ending October 31. This change in the time of making the report, while it adds much to the work of this office, increases very materially the value of the statistics. A revised edition of the school laws was issued June 1, 1888, and distributed in accordance with the provisions of section 1579 of the code. All amendments and additional enactments were included, and the explanatory notes carefully rewritten. Many of the decisions of the superintendent of public instruction contained in former editions were dropped out of this, in order to insert others of more modern date, and bearing more directly upon the provisions of the law as it at present exists. During the time since January 1, 1888, this department has decided, or there are docketed for hearing before January 1, 1890, forty-eight appeal cases, coming from thirty-three different counties. This is against fifty-four in the preceding two years, showing that the number of such cases is gradually diminishing. As the State becomes more densely populated, school affairs will gradually adjust themselves to the surrounding conditions, so that there will be less contention over them. This is a consummation greatly to be desired, for an appeal case with its attendant talk and local excitement, always proves detrimental to the welfare of the school. The statistics which accompany this volume have been compiled with great care, and will undoubtedly be found as correct as can be gathered until we can reduce the number of school officers. The tables which comprise the first 16 pages will be found very useful for purposes of comparison. They show a growth in school population, in the number of pupils enrolled, and in the average daily attendance, which is very gratifying. The teachers of Iowa as a body, rank with those of any other State. I am indebted to them and to the county superintendents for their very hearty co-operation and assistance in my work. It is very pleasant to mention the valuable services of Mr. Ira C. Kling, deputy superintendent of public instruction. His knowledge of the school law, and his interest in the educational work of the State render him peculiarly well fitted for the position he now fills. The division of work intrusted to my secretary, Mrs. Addie B. Billington, has been faithfully performed. Her acquaintance with the educational forces of the State, and with the details of the work in this office, has enabled her to be of great service to me. Respectfully submitted, HENRY SABIN, Superintendent of Public Instruction. |