Page:A history of the Michigan state normal school (now Normal college) at Ypsilanti, Michigan, 1849-1899 (IA historyofmichiga00putniala).pdf/30

 the Michigan State Teachers’ Association was effected. The regular opening of the Normal School was deferred until the Legislature should make an appropriation to meet the current expenses of the institution. Such an appropriation was made in the following February, and the first term of the institution was commenced on March 29, 1853, and continued seventeen weeks. The second term opened on the first Tuesday of October following and continued twenty-three weeks.

Probably the language of the speakers at the dedication of the Normal School, some of which I have quoted, appear to most of us extravagant; seem to emphasize with unnecessary force an event which today would excite little interest, and certainly no extraordinary enthusiasm. The explanation and justification of these apparently extravagant forms of expression are found in the conditions then existing Today there are one hundred and fifty schools for the education of teachers, receiving more or less support from public funds. Such institutions have an established and recognized position in systems of State education. When the Michigan State Normal School was opened, there were but five such schools in the United States, and the oldest of these was less than 14 years of age. No institution of the kind existed west of Albany. Only three States had established normal schools and these States were among the oldest in the Union, rich in developed resources, and abundantly able to provide for educational experiments. Michigan, as a State, was still in her "teens"; only the foundation of her educational system had been fairly laid. The outline of the system was magnificent, but it was yet hardly more than an outline.

The University was scarcely emerging from the period of its infancy, and but just beginning to take on the appearance. of early maturity. The report of the Regents for the year 1852, shows only the Medical and Literary departments; the first with 162 students, the last with hardly 60, a total of 222. ‘The faculty numbered fourteen, but one of these was an Emeritus Professor and two others were not on duty, the working force being really but eleven.

The public school system of Detroit had been in operation