It is important to keep in mind that the following data was compiled and reported by the U.S. government's Office of Indian Affairs. Agents were meant to grow education on reservations, so they had reason to alter or exaggerate their data. Also, the Office of Indian Affairs did not count those who had the ability to write in most years, nor did their statistics measure competency. Agents did not give the Native Americans on their reservations exams to gauge their abilities. They only counted subjectively, often estimating or trusting the opinions of teachers or the Indians themselves. Because dozens of agents with hundreds of employees gathered the annual statistics, it is difficult to ascertain exactly what “can read” meant. It does seem, however, that Indian Affairs considered the accuracy of its annual census and corresponding statistics important. Although the commissioner admitted that it was difficult to get accurate statistics in 1887, agents and teachers were continually urged to report “reliable” stats.