The Evening Schools, this year, were limited to the O'Fallon Polytechnic Evening School and ten District Schools, so distributed as to accommodate as nearly as possible the different sections of the city. A Polytechnic department was again opened in the Webster School building to meet the demand in the northern portion of the city. The appropriation for Evening Schools was necessarily limited, and it was impossible to maintain a greater number of schools without causing the expenditure to exceed the appropriation. The total enrollment for all the schools was 2,384; the average number belonging 1,333; the average nightly attendance 1,049; and the average cost per pupil, based upon the average number belonging, $5.82. It will be seen by consulting Table I, that but few persons under fourteen years of age were admitted during the year. A recent resolution of the Board prohibited the admission, by the Principals, of pupils under fourteen years of age. The same resolution provided, that the parents or guardians of children between twelve and fourteen years of age, by applying to the Superintendent, could obtain permits for such children to attend the Evening Schools. This was one of the various regulations that have been made from time to time with the hope of diminishing the great irregularity in attendance, as well as the great difference between the numbers enrolled and attending. It was the opinion of many that a large proportion of these irregularities was the result of admitting children who were so young that their physical exertions during the day incapacitated them for mental labor at night, and as a result of their fatigue their interest in the work of the school could not be sustained, and they soon ceased to attend. A comparison of statistics for the last five years, as seen below, shows that this regulation has not affected these two items in the statistics. The average number belonging for the year 1876-77 was 54 per cent. of the total enrollment; for the year 1877-78, 56 per cent.; for 1878-79, 55 per cent.; for 1879-80, 56 per cent.; for 1880-81, 55 per cent. An examination of Table IV shows that for many years nearly one-third of the pupils enrolled each year, attend less than twenty evenings, and over one-half attend less than thirty evenings during the entire term of sixty-four nights. During the last two years no Library Certificates have been given for regularity and punctuality of attendance. It has been supposed that the granting of these certificates greatly influenced the character of the attendance, but the comparison of statistics as above given does not indicate any general effect upon the average number belonging, resulting from the granting of these certificates. A comparison of results derived from Table IV, for the last five years, as given below, indicate very clearly the changes in the character of attendance, produced by rescinding the regulation that permitted the distribution of Library Certificates as a reward for regular attendance. All who attended more than sixty-four nights were pupils in the Polytechnic School. The per cent. of pupils who attended sixty-four nights has decreased nearly onethird within the last two years, and the per cent. of those attending sixty to sixty-four nights has decreased by more than one-half. The per cent. of those attending 40-50. 30-40. Less than 30. Per cent, of Attend- from thirty to sixty nights has, as might be expected, increased. It thus appears evident that while the general per cent. of the numbers belonging and attending, indicate but slight changes in the character of attendance, there has been a very decided decrease in the number of pupils attending fifty nights or more. As previously stated nearly one-third of the pupils enrolled attend less than twenty evenings and over onehalf, less than thirty evenings. From one-third to onehalf of the teacher's time is devoted to the fruitless attempt to instruct pupils who remain but a few evenings or who attend very irregularly. The places of those who remain but a short time are filled by the admission of others, the majority of whom follow the example of their predecessors. The numbers attending are thus kept up to the required quota. The result of all this is that the greater portion of the fund appropriated for Evening Schools produces but little good to the community in the way of educating those who should be benefited. This evil can be prevented, if at all, only by devising some means by which some responsibility for the character of his attendance, is placed upon the pupil and his parents, guardian or employer. As above shown, the younger pupils are not alone the ones who are irregular in attendance. The very persons who most need the instruction so generously offered - the large boys, and young men who have the least education - are the persons who enter school, and remain but a short time. We have no statistics showing the number of pupils who enter the different grades of the Evening School Course. Statistics showing the character of attendance of pupils classified with reference to their advancement in studies would, doubtless, give results corresponding to the general opinion of the majority of persons who have observed the real source from which this irregularity of attendance emanates,-from those of all ages who have had the least schooling in the day schools, public or private, or who have had no schooling. I endorse all that has been said or that can be said in favor of Evening Schools for the free education of those who are compelled to earn their support at an early age, but experience has led me to believe that if some standard for admission could be established, and some responsibility for conduct and attendance could be placed upon some person other than the pupil, great good might result. Under the present conditions a great portion of the Evening School appropriation results in but little good. The following tables give all the statistics relating to ages, occupations, birth-places, and attendance for the year. A detailed statement of expenses, and a comparative table showing the enrollment and cost of the Evening Schools for twenty-one years are also given. TABLE I. AGES OF PUPILS IN THE EVENING SCHOOLS, 1880-1881. |