- Handbook of Texas Online - TEACHER EDUCATION

"SUMMER NORMAL INSTITUTES. On this subject, reference to the tables accompanying this report will show that during the summer of 1883, a summer normal institute was maintained in each senatorial district for white, and one in each congressional district, except the eleventh, for colored teachers. The same number were maintained during the summer of 1884. No institute for colored teachers was established in the eleventh congressional district, there not being a sufficient number of colored teachers in that district to organize one. The best talent has been employed to conduct these institutes, and it has been easily obtained within our own borders. The institutes have become exceedingly popular with the teachers, and they look forward to them with great interest. To those teachers who have not enjoyed the advantages of normal training, they are invaluable. The success of the public schools depends largely upon them, and I trust that it will be deemed wise to provide for their continued maintenance. The amount appropriated for their support has heretofore been six thousand dollars. This sum has paid the forty-one principals $146.34 each. The institutes could be made much more useful if a sum sufficient to employ assistants, at about seventy-five dollars each, should also be provided. Dr. J. L. M. Curry, general agent of the Peabody Educational Fund, generously furnished this office with five hundred dollars from said fund for the advancement of these institutes during the summer of 1884. With that sum an assistant was employed for each institute. The results demonstrate that, to obtain competent  success, assistants are necessary."

 - Tenth Report from the Department of Education of
the State of Texas, Scholastic Years Ending August 31,1883, and August 31,1884

"The State has the best reason to be proud of the progress of her teachers. I attribute their advancement in a large way to the fact that the recent changes of school law have encouraged them to become professional teachers. Some of the provisions of the law of 1874 bore so unjustly upon them that there were few who looked upon themselves as in the work for J life. The provision of that law making the teachers' salary dependent upon the attendance of pupils was a relic of barbarism. Its repeal and the advance in maximum salaries allowed by the law of 1884 give promise of adequate remuneration to the teacher and encourages him to regard the profession as not wanting in dignity. The State normal schools and the summer normals, so generously provided, have also been powerful instruments in advancing the profession. It is probable now that no State can boast of a better qualified, more conscientious corps of public school teachers. For many years the teachers have held annual State associations, but until recently they have been poorly attended and awakened no enthusiasm. In 1884 the one of the white teachers at San Antonio was a success; in 1885 the one at Waco a grand success; and in 1886 the one at Austin was in every respect one of the most imposing and learned gatherings in the history of the State. The colored teachers have also held annual meetings and have each year added to their interest. The one of the present year at Galveston was largely attended and participated in by educators who reflect great honor on their race and on Texas. The white teachers have also organized a " State reading circle," and its success is assured. Through its influence very many teachers are pursuing a course of professional reading at their homes, which will add greatly to their strength and capacity. Prof. Jacob Bickler, of Austin, is now president of the white State association, and Prof. L. C. Anderson, of Prairie View, is president of the colored association. Superintendent J. E. Dow, of Houston, is president of the reading circle. Well organized county institutes exist in a great majority of the counties, notwithstanding the county judges, whose duty it is to organize them, have done so in but few instances. As a rule these institutes hold monthly meetings, at which are discussed matters appertaining to school management, school law, and important educational questions of the day. These things show that the teachers of Texas are alive and keeping pace with the progress of the times. A summer normal institute has been conducted each year for the white teachers in each senatorial district, and for colored teachers in each congressional district except the eleventh. In that district there are not a sufficient number of colored teachers to organize an institute. Great success has attended them, and I recommend that they be continued. While under the present law the salaries allowed principals are inadequate, I have experienced no trouble in securing the best talent in the State to conduct them. Eminent teachers have deemed it a patriotic duty to take charge of them when requested to do so, and have responded willingly in the discharge of it. The institutes have been well attended, as the tables accompanying this report will show, and have already done much toward preparing teachers for the onerous duties incumbent upon them. The trustees of the Peabody education fund give Texas nine scholarships at the -'Nashville, Tennessee, Normal College." Appointees are permitted to attend two sessions. My appointees at the college at this time are as follows:"

 - Eleventh Report from the Department of Education of
the State of Texas, Scholastic Years Ending August 31,1885, and August 31,1886