ern Illinois Normal University will be open, and another Institution for the professional training of teachers for the common schools of the State, will be added to those already in successful operation.

COUNTY NORMAL SCHOOLS.

Since my last report, the Cook County Normal School and the Peoria County Normal School, both of which had been previously established, have been so far modified in their organization and management as to bring them fully under the provisions of the act entitled "An act to enable counties to establish County Normal schools," approved March 15, 1869; and each one has gone steadily and successfully forward. The expectation that other counties would avail themselves of the provisions of that act, and establish home training schools, of limited courses of study, as a feasable and economical means of supplying their common schools with teachers of superior attainments and qualifications-has not yet been realized. The counties mentioned are still the only ones, so far as I know, which have Normal Schools fully organized and in operation under said act. Several other counties have had the subject under advisement, some of which are reported to be about ready to organize such schools under the act, and others expect to do so when the way seems clear. There is reason to anticipate the establishment of quite a number of such schools at an early day. The difficulties which have operated to prevent action hitherto, are not likely to continue; and as the good results of these already in operation are more clearly seen, and the simplicity and economy of the plan proposed in the act are better understood, this mode of securing better teachers can hardly fail to grow in favor with the people.

Upon the whole, I have seen no cause to change the favorable opinion expressed in the last report concerning that law, and the good effects it would have upon our system of public education. Observation of the actual results in the counties of Cook and Peoria, and further reflection upon the provisions of the law itself, have rather confirmed that opinion. It still seems to me that the plan

promises better and more immediate results than any other of equal simplicity, economy and efficiency, and I would therefore advise and recommend that said law be allowed to remain as it is, without change, for at least two years longer. Its practical benefits will then be pretty fully developed, and the question of its continuance, modification or repeal can be more intelligently determined.

From the materials at hand I have prepared the following

statement of the

COOK COUNTY NORMAL SCHOOL,

(Englewood, Illinois,)

D. S. WENTWORTH, PRINCIPAL.

This School was established by the County of Cook for the purpose of furnishing competent teachers of both sexes for the public schools, and was first opened September 2, 1867, at Blue Island.

By act of the General Assembly of March 15, 1869, the action of the counties that had moved in the matter of Normal Schools, was legalized, and provision was made for a system of County Normal Schools that should be uniform throughout the State. Cook county immediately proceeded to conform to the requirements of this law and at once to place the school on a more permanent footing. The location was changed to Englewood, where a fine building well adapted to the purposes contemplated has been erected.

The design of this school is strictly professional-to prepare pupils in the best possible manner for the work of the school room. As the teacher's power of imparting instruction comes from a just comprehension of that with which, and that upon which he operates, the necessity is recognized of a thorough knowledge—first, of the law of growth and development of mind; second, of the branches of learning required to be taught; and third, of the best methods of teaching. With these ends in view, the primary object of each and every exercise is to impart efficiency, by culti. vating in the student habits of systematic thinking, of clear and concise expression, to the end that he may be fitted for the work of organizing, governing, and instructing in the public schools.

The school embraces a Normal Department, a Training Department, and a High School Department.

The course of study in the Normal Department covers two years, the first year being mainly devoted to what may be termed the common school branches-and the second, to higher Mathematics, and English branches, with Latin or German. Theory and Art of Teaching and Practice, continue through the course. The conditions of admission are:

1. Age, for males, not less than 16, and, for females, not less than 15 years.

2. Satisfactory evidence of good moral character.

3. A declaration, in writing, of intention to teach in the public schools, and to give Cook county the preference in all offers to secure the services of the teachers.

4. Students entering the school are required to report, in writing, to the Principal, in the month of January of each year, after leaving the school, where they have been teaching, with what success, and at what salary, till they report that they have left the profession.

For the Fall Term, admission is made without examinations, but at the end of that term there are examinations, both oral and written, in every study, and the results must be satisfactory to the Board of Education in order to enable the pupil to advance to the studies of the course next in order.

The tuition is free, to residents of Cook county; to others it is at the rate of thirty dollars a year.

The Training Department was established in order that there might be a school exhibiting the best methods of teaching, discipline, and classification. It includes the Primary and Intermediate grades. The Normal students are required to teach in this Department from five to twenty days in each year of their attendance at the school, under the constant supervision of Critic Teachers, and to report in writing the reasons in full for every exercise required of the children. Criticisms both favorable and unfavorable are daily recorded in criticism books, which are subject to the inspection of any person interested.

The High School Department has two regular Courses of

Instruction, one General or English, the other Classical. The former is designed to afford a thorough and efficient English and Scientific education, and occupies four years; the latter to prepare pupils for college, and extends over a period of three years.

Dr. A. A. Champlin, of Englewood, has established two prizes, to be awarded to the two students in the Senior Class who excel in English Composition.

S. A. Briggs, Esq., of Chicago, has established two prizes, one to the best debator or orator, and the second to the best declaimer. Mrs. William Brooks has established two prizes for excellence in reading.

Prof. O. Blackman, of Chicago, has established two prizes for excelling in imparting elementary instruction in vocal music.

Messrs. Bryant & Chase offer, as a prize, one scholarship to a full course in their college, to the member of the graduating class who has the highest scholarship average, based on the monthly examinations throughout the whole course.

The school is now in its fourth year; since its opening the number of students has been as follows:

Number of different scholars belonging, 1867-68...

60

Average Attendance 1867-68...

66

<< 1868-69...

1869-70

The number of different pupils who have belonged to the school since its organization is one hundred and fifty-three. Of these, thirty-six have completed the prescribed course of study, and received diplomas.

The new building erected by the county for the school, was completed the past season. It is built of brick, with stone foundation, and stone sills and window caps; it is three stories high above the basement, and is in form of the letter T. The whole width of front is nearly ninety feet, and depth some one hundred and forty feet.

The citizens of Cook county are to be congratulated on the possession of so fine and spacious accommodations for the school.

Prof. White has kindly furnished the following report of the

PEORIA COUNTY NORMAL SCHOOL.

(Peoria, Illinois. )

S. H. WHITE, PRINCIPAL.

The Peoria County Normal School was established by the joint action of the Board of Supervisors of the county, and the Board of School Inspectors of the city of Peoria.

For two years it was under the control of a committee selected from these two bodies. It has now entered upon its third year, and is under the direction of a County Board of Education, elected under the act authorizing the establishment of County Nor. mal Schools.

Its growth has been gradual. During the first year the total number of students was fifty-six; average number, thirty-one. During the second year, the total number was sixty-nine; average number, thirty-five. The total number during the present term, thus far, is fifty-seven; average number, forty-eight. The attendance is over thirty per cent. greater than during the corresponding term of last year.

The corps of teachers consists of a principal, an assistant, and a training teacher. Much valuable assistance in instruction is rendered by some of the pupils of the advanced classes. The training school contains about ninety pupils, and forms part of one of the district schools of the city. In it the pupil teachers engage in the actual work of instruction and school management, under the direction of the training teacher, for as long a time as is thought best, or as long as circumstances will allow.

The course of study embraces, nominally, two years, but the actual time employed depends upon the attainments and abilities of pupils. It embraces, in addition to the studies required by law to be taught in the common schools, school management, two terms in algebra, and one in each of the following studies: Physiology, mental philosophy, methods of instruction, analysis of words, botany, geometry, and rhetoric. Lessons are given twice a week in singing.

The estimated expenses of the school for the current year are

Vol. I-53