Improvements in the way of more trees, larger libraries, better outbuildings and apparatus, are supplied the country schools. Teachers are enthusiastic and willing to co-operate in the general state work.

Since the publication of the last report the world has witnessed. the closing of its most marvelous century. Remarkable in many ways, but in none more so than in the growth and development of a school system which makes possible the education of every child.

My own labors have been exerted to advance the general educational work of the state, and while much has been done to improve the schools it would be presumptuous for me to claim in any large degree the credit for work accomplished. The future alone can best tell to whom credit is due. I must, however, at this time acknowledge the debt I owe to the members of my official family, the board of examiners, the boards of trustees governing the educational institutions, county superintendents, boards of directors, and teachers. These have been the great agencies which carried forward the cause of education. Without their kind, helpful support my efforts would have been of little consequence.

By the continued co-operation of all the friends of education, nothing can stand in the way of the future greatness of our schools. As one who came up through the schools of the state I shall always rejoice in their prosperity and advancement.

Respectfully submitted,

RICHARD C. BARRETT, Superintendent Public Instruction.

CHAPTER II.

CONSOLIDATION OF SCHOOLS AND TRANSPORTATION OF CHILDREN.

INTRODUCTION.

REPORTS FROM COUNTIES.

SUMMARY FOR THE STATE.

BUFFALO CENTER PLAN.

TRANSPORTATION IN CITIES.

IN OTHER STATES.

INTRODUCTION.

Half the independent districts and three-quarters of the subdistricts in Iowa have schools with an average daily attendance of less than twenty. Statistics collected two years ago show that seventy independent and two hundred and sixty-three subdistricts have an attendance of less than five; 502 independent and 2,705 sub-districts have an attendance of less than ten; 1,273 independent and 5,100 sub-districs have an attendance of less than fifteen; 1,950 independent and 7,379 sub-districts have an attendance of less than twenty.

Of the 21,034 teachers who were licensed in 1900, 3,560 had no experience whatever in teaching and 4.208 had taught les: than one year.

Another significant fact is that of these 21,034 teachers licensed 7,228, or about one-third, held third grade certificates. Of this number 6,167 were issued to females, presumably young girls just out of school, many of them not having completed even the common school course. This department has advised the county superintendents not to issue third grade certificates except where it is unavoidable in order to procure teachers to supply schools that otherwise would have to be closed for want of teachers. This policy has been universally followed by the county superintendents of Iowa. They report that they issue third grade certificates only as a make shift and for the purpose of filling the schools. They are issued for only one, or at the most two, terms, and it is admitted that persons holding third grade certificates are not properly qualified to teach. The number of second grade certificates was 13,828, of which 11,703 were issued to females. Thus it is seen that a large majority of the teachers. of Iowa hold second grade certificates and that of the total number of certificates of all kinds issued and in force in the state during that year, more than eighty per cent were second grade or under. The total number of first-class certificates issued was 2,917 and the total number of state certificates and diplomas was

1,285. The number of certificates issued is greater than the actual teaching force because some of the certificates are issued for only parts of a year and not all the persons holding certificates are teaching.

There is hardly a graded school in the state, at least not in any town of 1,000 or 1,200 population, where the board of directors will employ a teacher who does not hold a first-class certificate. There are about 5,800 teachers in the graded schools, not counting the high schools, principals, etc., where teachers of the highest qualifications are employed. It is not difficult to see, therefore, what is left for the country school or why it is difficult in Iowa to procure first-class teachers for the rural schools under present conditions. The number of ungraded schools at the last accounting was 12,615. The total teaching force, therefore, was at that time, there being 5,776 rooms in graded schools, 18,381. The actual supply of teachers, that is, the different persons licensed, being 21,034, this supply including all the third grade teachers,— is very little above the actual constant demand, which is increasing.

The present report of this department will show that these conditions have not materially changed. The proportions are about the same, and there is no question in the minds of experienced educators who have given careful attention to the question but that these conditions are related to each other. The number of inexperienced teachers would not be so great if it were not for the great number of small schools and the difficulty of securing teachers for them. If the standard of teaching in hundreds and hundreds of districts was not necessarily very low, it would be impossible for so many persons to secure employment as teachers without any preparation whatever for their work, beyond what they have secured in the common schools. Many of them have had little or nothing beyond the district school which they propose to teach. The best thought of the common school men and women of to-day is given to the question of how to improve the rural schools. The city schools are in the hands of the best educational talent that can be secured by the payment of liberal salaries to teachers, by supplying the best buildings that money and brains can produce, and by holding out the inducement of attractive surroundings to the teacher-an atmosphere of culture, the opportunity to be in and a part of the strenous life of the city, with its many varied interests, entertainments

and associations.