PREFACE. At the annual meeting of the Ohio Teachers' Association, in July, 1875, it was resolved that a complete historical record of educational effort and progress in Ohio should form a part of the representation of the educational interests of the State at the Centennial Exhibition in Philadelphia. This recommendation was approved by the State Board of Centennial Managers, and the Centennial Committee of the Ohio Teachers' Association was entrusted with the preparation and publication of the proposed volume. At a meeting of this Committee, held in the office of the State Commissioner of Common Schools, October 1st and 2d, 1875, E. E. White, of Columbus, and Thos. W. Harvey, of Painesville, were appointed general editors. The preparation of the several chapters was subsequently assigned to different persons, as follows: SCHOOL LEGISLATION-Eli T. Tappan, Professor of Mathematics in Kenyon College, Gambier. UNGRADED SCHOOLS Alston Ellis, Superintendent of Public Schools, Hamilton. GRADED SCHOOLS-R. W. Stevenson, Superintendent of Public Schools, Columbus. HIGH SCHOOLS AND ACADEMIES-D. F. De Wolf, Superintendent of Public Schools, Toledo. HIGHER EDUCATION-Prof. E. B. Andrews, Lancaster. NORMAL SCHOOLS-Delia A. Lathrop, Principal of the City Normal School, Cincinnati. TEACHERS' INSTITUTES-Thos. W. Harvey, Painesville. SCHOOL SUPERVISION John Hancock, Superintendent of Public Schools, Dayton. TEACHERS' ASSOCIATIONS-E. E. White, Columbus. PENAL, REFORMATORY, AND BENEVOLENT INSTITUTIONS-E. D. Mansfield, LL. D., Morrow. BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES AND EDUCATIONAL PERIODICALS— W. D. Henkle, Editor of Ohio Educational Monthly, Salem. The chapters have been written by the persons appointed, under the supervision of the general editors. Though prepared, in most instances, in such intervals of leisure as can be commanded by persons engaged in the exacting duties of professional life, it is believed that the leading facts in the history of education in Ohio have been stated with great accuracy. Much care has been taken to consult all known sources of information. School reports, educational journals, volumes of statutes, local historical sketches, etc., have been examined, and a free use made of the facts contained in them. It has not been deemed necessary or advisable to refer, except in a few cases, to the sources from which facts have been obtained. The omission of special reference to the Female Seminaries in the State is not intentional on the part of the committee or editors. There is not a large number of these institutions in Ohio, but they rank among the best in the Union. They have received a generous patronage in the past, and are now enjoying a marked degree of prosperity. The plan adopted for the preparation of this volume, has made some repetition necessary, but care has been taken to avoid, as far as possible, the repetition of details given in the appropriate chapter. It has been the aim of the editors to secure a general uniformity in the use of capitals and in punctuation, but the taste of the several writers has been consulted. June, 1876. E. E. WHITE. THOS. W. HARVEY. |