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SEVENTH ANNUAL REPORT OF THE BOARD OF EDUCATION.

To the Senate and House of Representatives of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts;

The Board of Education, in compliance with the law which prescribes their duties, beg leave to

REPORT:

THAT, during the past year, they have, with much anxiety, watched over the interests committed to their trust, and have labored to promote them, as far as the means at their disposal would allow. The nature of the undertaking precludes the possibility of rapid progress. To say nothing of the slow process by which every great and healthful influence upon society is produced, or of the length of time necessary to prepare a new class of teachers, as contemplated in the Normal Schools, and rightly to estimate their relative merits by their subsequent practice in teaching, there are, in the preliminary measures that must be taken in order to establish and sustain those schools, frequent causes of delay, which cannot be hastily removed. No part of the duties of the Board has been attended with greater difficulty than the procuring of teachers, to whom the momentous interests involved in the present experiment, in respect to Normal Schools, might be safely committed. It is obviously better that the Board should patiently continue their inquiries for teachers, and deliberate cautiously before appointing them, than stake everything for the sake of an immediate result.

The Board, in their report of 1843, mentioned the decease of the Principal of the Normal School at Barre, and the suspension of that school, with a view to its removal to another part of the Commonwealth. After a protracted negotiation with two individuals, eminently qualified to succeed to the vacant office, they were disappointed in their hopes; nor have they since been able to procure a Principal, suitable, in all respects, for that peculiar station. The time allowed by this delay, for selecting a place in the western part of the State, to which the above mentioned school shall be transferred, has been employed in making more extensive inquiries than would otherwise have been possible, -- a circumstance which will, undoubtedly, be favorable to a right ultimate decision.

The Secretary of the Board having impaired his health by a laborious and unremitting attention to the duties of his office, and having proposed to the Board to visit, at his own expense, several countries of Europe, as well for the restoration of his health as for the opportunity of more extensive observation of the means of education, the Board very willingly accepted the proposition, fraught as they believed, with great advantages to the cause of common school education in this country.

It will be apparent from these statements, that the present year has been employed, to some extent, in preparation for future action; but, it is believed, that, in due time, the results will show the expediency of the course pursued. Meanwhile, the Normal Schools at Lexington and Bridgewater, have been in successful operation.

In the school at Lexington, there has been a constant increase in the number of pupils during the year. The first term there were thirty-one; the second term, thirty-nine; the third, forty-two; the fourth, fifty-five; and, at the close of the year, sixty signified their intention of entering the next term. It is true, the majority of those who enter are less advanced in their studies, and pursue a more limited course of preparation for teaching than would, under favorable circumstances, be desired. "But, for reasons which can easily be conceived, it is necessary to meet this class just where they are found, and gradually to elevate the course of instruction as the mass of teachers and of schools themselves are elevated. Thus the new movement with reference to a part, will more readily extend to the whole body, and a sympathy will be kept up between the more favored teachers and those who are emulous of their example. The Creator himself has proceeded in this manner, in the education of the human race; and the success of the promoters of knowledge and of civilization, has, in all ages, been more or less rapid in proportion as they have pursued the course which he has marked out.

No persons, however, have been received as pupils into the Normal School just mentioned, who did not present certificates, and furnish other probable evidence of their possessing high intellectual powers and a good moral character. Several have been rejected upon examination; and some have been induced to retire after a few week's trial. More than twenty have remained at the school one or two terms beyond the time prescribed. Such is the reputation of this school, that applications have been made to it from seven of our sister States for teachers. In all cases, however, when pupils leave the Commonwealth they are required to defray the expenses of their tuition. Situations have been readily found for all whom the Principal could recommend as well qualified teachers; and in every instance except one, there have been gratifying assurances of success.

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