Superintendent Massey's Report
February 3, 1894
Summary
A quick summary of the 1892-1893 school year for the state of Virginia, which shows a slow greater improvement of education of black children.
Transcription
We have received the biennial report of Hon. John E. Massey, Superintendent of Public Instruction of the Commonwealth of Virginia with accompanying documents for the school years 1891-’92 and ‘92-’93. It is an excellent report and shows a careful compilation of statistics as well as a thorough understanding of the duties of the office.
The enrollment of pupils for the year 1893 was white, 227,696; colored, 120,775. The average number of months taught in the entire state is six. The number of pupils supplied with textbooks at public expense for ‘93 were white, 4,683; colored, 3,666. The cost of tuitions per month of each pupil enrolled for 1893 were 65 cents.
The total cost of the system for ‘93 was $1,604,152.10… Superintendent Massey says:
“The statistical summaries indicate that, as regard the essential elements of growth, the past year is without parallel in the history of the school system.”
The increase is revenue has been $78,011.50. Increase in number of schools, white, 103; colored, 30. Increases in number of pupils in attendance, white, 6.853; colored, 1,264. Increase in number of teachers employed, white 116; colored, 23. Increase in total expenditure, $107,692.17. The Superintendent remarks:
“The total enrollment of pupils for ‘93 is the largest recorded for any year since the establishment of the schools. The enrollment for 1892 fell behind that of any one of the three years preceding. With the single exception of the year 1892, the single exception of the year 1893, there has been a steady gain in the enrollment of white pupils. The enrollment of colored pupils for ‘92 fell behind that of any one of the four years preceding. While in 1893 there was a gain of about four thousand colored pupils, in comparison with 1892, the number of colored pupils enrolled for 1893 was less than the number of enrolled for either 1890 or 1891. Reports show that the enrollment of colored pupils was largest for the year 1891.
The total average daily attendance for 1893 is the largest recorded in the history of our schools. WIth the exception of the year 1892, there has been a steady gain in the attendance of white pupils. The attendance of colored pupils for 1893, while exceeding that for 1892 by about twelve hundred (1,200), is less than that reported for any other year since 1888. The largest attendance for colored pupils was reported for the year 1890.
I am not sure that I can give the cause of the falling off in total enrollment and attendance for 1892, or of the loss in enrollment and attendance of colored pupils for several years past. The former is probably due to protracted periods of severe weather and the prevalence of contagious diseases, which cause, together with the condition of the colored people in some sections, probably [unintelligent]”
He advocates an increase in the appropriations for school purposes and suggests that this might be secured by a larger local taxation.
His plea for living salaries for teachers as well as the securing of competent instructors is commendable. The increase of pay will go a long ways in securing this class of material. The Peabody Appropriation for Virginia is nearly $300,000.
The plan for a uniform examination for teachers certificated does not seem to have met with general favor although Superintendent Massey believed that a more vigorous enforcement of its provisions will result in the removal of the objections against it,
He announces that the Board of Public Instruction has authorized the issuance of a life certificate as well as a professional [seven years] certificate to persons of good moral character, who have complied with the provisions. There were 57 counties and cities that delayed the payment of the teachers’ salaries. He pays a tribute to the late Gen. S. C. Armstrong, principal of the Hampton, Normal and Agricultural Institute
Superintendent Massey seems to fully comprehend the scope of his work.
We observe no reference to the wild-cat theories and worn-out dogmas which characterized his earlier public utterances soon after his induction into office.
He has the energy, ability, and perseverance to make a most efficient officer, and his report shows that all of these qualities have been brought into play in the discharging of the duties of office along with which goes the preparation of this most creditable report.
The enrollment of pupils for the year 1893 was white, 227,696; colored, 120,775. The average number of months taught in the entire state is six. The number of pupils supplied with textbooks at public expense for ‘93 were white, 4,683; colored, 3,666. The cost of tuitions per month of each pupil enrolled for 1893 were 65 cents.
The total cost of the system for ‘93 was $1,604,152.10… Superintendent Massey says:
“The statistical summaries indicate that, as regard the essential elements of growth, the past year is without parallel in the history of the school system.”
The increase is revenue has been $78,011.50. Increase in number of schools, white, 103; colored, 30. Increases in number of pupils in attendance, white, 6.853; colored, 1,264. Increase in number of teachers employed, white 116; colored, 23. Increase in total expenditure, $107,692.17. The Superintendent remarks:
“The total enrollment of pupils for ‘93 is the largest recorded for any year since the establishment of the schools. The enrollment for 1892 fell behind that of any one of the three years preceding. With the single exception of the year 1892, the single exception of the year 1893, there has been a steady gain in the enrollment of white pupils. The enrollment of colored pupils for ‘92 fell behind that of any one of the four years preceding. While in 1893 there was a gain of about four thousand colored pupils, in comparison with 1892, the number of colored pupils enrolled for 1893 was less than the number of enrolled for either 1890 or 1891. Reports show that the enrollment of colored pupils was largest for the year 1891.
The total average daily attendance for 1893 is the largest recorded in the history of our schools. WIth the exception of the year 1892, there has been a steady gain in the attendance of white pupils. The attendance of colored pupils for 1893, while exceeding that for 1892 by about twelve hundred (1,200), is less than that reported for any other year since 1888. The largest attendance for colored pupils was reported for the year 1890.
I am not sure that I can give the cause of the falling off in total enrollment and attendance for 1892, or of the loss in enrollment and attendance of colored pupils for several years past. The former is probably due to protracted periods of severe weather and the prevalence of contagious diseases, which cause, together with the condition of the colored people in some sections, probably [unintelligent]”
He advocates an increase in the appropriations for school purposes and suggests that this might be secured by a larger local taxation.
His plea for living salaries for teachers as well as the securing of competent instructors is commendable. The increase of pay will go a long ways in securing this class of material. The Peabody Appropriation for Virginia is nearly $300,000.
The plan for a uniform examination for teachers certificated does not seem to have met with general favor although Superintendent Massey believed that a more vigorous enforcement of its provisions will result in the removal of the objections against it,
He announces that the Board of Public Instruction has authorized the issuance of a life certificate as well as a professional [seven years] certificate to persons of good moral character, who have complied with the provisions. There were 57 counties and cities that delayed the payment of the teachers’ salaries. He pays a tribute to the late Gen. S. C. Armstrong, principal of the Hampton, Normal and Agricultural Institute
Superintendent Massey seems to fully comprehend the scope of his work.
We observe no reference to the wild-cat theories and worn-out dogmas which characterized his earlier public utterances soon after his induction into office.
He has the energy, ability, and perseverance to make a most efficient officer, and his report shows that all of these qualities have been brought into play in the discharging of the duties of office along with which goes the preparation of this most creditable report.
About this article
Source
Location on Page
Upper Right Quadrant
Contributed By
Carlos Serrano
Citation
“Superintendent Massey's Report,” Black Virginia: The Richmond Planet, 1894-1909, accessed May 12, 2025, https://blackvirginia.richmond.edu/items/show/1610.