Minimum school term-six months.-We are gratified that at last the minimum school term has extended to 6 months. The teachers of the State have been urging this for years. By the Act of May 8, 1854, the minimum term was fixed at 4 months, and so it continued for 18 years. By Act of April 9, 1872, it was extended to 5 months, and so continued until this year. It is surprising that during all this time about 800 townships or school districts, embracing nearly 6,000 schools, failed to increase the term a single day. It must not be supposed for a moment that the Legislature, in fixing the minimum term now at 6 months, intended to favor so short a term or to establish it as a proper standard. The aim of the law is to lengthen short terms, not to shorten long terms; and it is an encouraging fact that our average school term is quite beyond what has been fixed as the minimum term, and is steadily advancing. The benefits of this law must be apparent to any one. It will give, during the coming year, one additional month of school discipline to over 225,000 children in Pennsylvania. We must guard against weakening the benefits of this law to teachers as well as to children. Directors should not make the teachers bear the burden of this effort to advance, by lowering their monthly salaries so as to make the cost the same as before. Any con duct of this kind will rapidly show its evil effects. Good teachers will be driven to other and more advanced districts, and a lazy indifference soon characterize the district in which it is practiced. We are satisfied, however, that only in rare cases will any such course be pursued. On the contrary, we feel convinced that it will not be long before a school of only 6 months will be regarded as an anomaly. Employment of children.-The act prohibiting the employment of children under 12 years of age to work in or about mills, manufactories, or mines, should insure, in many localities, largely increased school attendance of children under the age named. To be made properly effective, this law should be supplemented by legislation requiring a careful school census under direction of the authorities of each school district in the Commonwealth, and providing for the appointment of inspectors, whose duty it shall be to see that its provisions are not violated by employers. Thus fortified, and the law properly enforced, it would prove a vast boon to the children and result in great good to the State. The act referred to is as follows: "SEC. 1. Be it enacted, etc., That it shall be unlawful for any person, persons, firms, companies, associations, or corporations, to employ any child under the age of 15 years to do any work in or about any mill, manufactory, or mine in this Commonwealth. SEC. 2. That any person, persons, or corporations who may violate this act shall, on conviction, pay a fine of not less than $20, nor more than $109, at the discretion of the court. Said fines, arising from the violation of this act, shall be paid to the treasury of the proper county where said violation shall occur." Approved June 1, A. D. 1887. For other information concerning education in Pennsylvania consult the Index. RHODE ISLAND. [From Report of Thomas B. Stockwell, Commissioner of Public Schools, for 1886-87.] ATTENDANCE. The falling off in attendance the past year is due to two prominent causes: first, the prevailing sickness throughout the State, and secondly, the negligence upon the part of the authorities of certain places in enforcing the compulsory law. Seldom has a single year witnessed such widespread sickness throughout the State. In not a few towns or localities schools have been closed for absolute lack of pupils, and in other cases the absentees for this cause have often numbered half the school. The diseases have seldom been of a violent nature and but few deaths have occurred among the school children, but the work of the schools has been very greatly interfered with, and the average attendance brought down quite low. The average is also very materially affected by the rule, which is quite generally enforced now, that when a child is sick with any of the ordinary zymotic diseases all of the other children of the same family are to be excluded from school. At first sight sach a rule may seem rather harsh, but a little reflection will convince one that such a course is in the interest of the general health, and hence of every one. There is no question but that such a rule, strictly carried out, will tend to restrict such diseases to emparatively narrow limits, and even to aid rather than hinder the school work. As regards compulsory attendance, the truant law is ignored and practically nullified in the city of Providence and some other places. This is due in the main to indifference. By the terms of the law its enforcement is made very largely dependent upon those who have had little or no interest in the question of education, and who, therefore, can be expected to have but very limited knowledge of the issues involved and the necessity for action. Again, the enforcement of any such law will inevitably at times and in places interfere with the personal interests of parties holding prominent positions or exercising considerable influence, and the official finds it easier to yield to such influences than to withstand them. But back of these causes lies the fact that as yet the people have not become sufficiently aroused to give voice to their belief. There has not been a sufficient recognition of the necessity for action, or that any great number were in real need of the law's intervention in their behalf. When the facts come to light, public sentiment will demand a more thorough enforcement of the law. A sufficient time has not elapsed since the enactment of the revised truant law to say definitely how beneficial the changes have been. It should have, however, the effect of stimulating attendance, as did the original truant law enacted four years previously. In every town there is now at least one truant officer, and a truant ordinance has been enacted. The machinery for carrying the law into general effect therefore exists. But it is to be noted that in some places it is almost, if not quite worthless, for the lack of any suitable provision for the compensation of the truant officer. Still, if only the meagre amount of work be done, for which provision is made, that will have a very healthful effect, and if even that be maintained much good can be accomplished. Because the whole work can not be done is a very poor reason for not beginning it and doing what can be done. NUMBER AND SIZE OF SCHOOLS. The number of ungraded schools has diminished by 7 during the year, while the graded schools have increased by 32. This shows that the movement of the population is still from the farms and rural sections of the State to the centres, and that the advantages of education are being curtailed for those who remain. For it seldom happens when a district becomes so sparsely settled as to be no longer able to maintain a school, that there are no children left there; hence, when the school is abandoned, the two or three who survive are obliged to travel two, three, or more miles, or go without an education. There is an evil here that can be met only by adopting some scheme or plan of school maintenance different from that which so generally prevails in the towns of the State. In such cases the locality or district is absolutely unable to make the proper provision for the children, and unless the unity of interest and responsibility, which really inheres in the town and State, be recognized and acted upon, they will go uncared for. The increase in the number of graded schools is partly accounted for by the fact that in several communities additional schools have been provided, thereby relieving schools greatly overcrowded. This has been done to such an extent as to reduce the average number belonging to each teacher from 35 to 33. TEACHERS. There has been an increase this year of 35 in the number of different teachers, and of 40 in the number regularly employed. It is an encouraging sign to note that the gain in permanent teachers is the greater of the two. It shows a tendency to permanency that is desirable, and it also indicates that correct views as to the proper number of pupils for one teacher are beginning to prevail. No teacher can do passable work with from 50 to 75 pupils, and it is an act of cruelty to both teacher and pupils to compel them to make the attempt. There has been an increase in the wages of teachers of $2.82 per month for males and 53 cents for females. These results are probably due in great measure to the effects upon the smaller towns of the increased State appropriations. They have been enabled in many cases to offer sufficient inducements to normal graduates and teachers of experience to hold them, and thus have been secured unusual advantages. One effect of this has been that at no time during the year have there been any such teachers waiting for places. The demand has always been ahead of the supply. FREE PUBLIC LIBRARIES. The number of public libraries has been increased by two, and there are now pending action for organization several libraries in various parts of the State, so that it may be safely said that the general interest in this branch of the work was never greater than at the present time. The total amount appropriated for the aid of the thirty-seven libraries was $3,950. The total number of books in all the libraries was 133,484, an increase of 10,442 volumes from last year. The circulation is 298,212, or 6,001 less than for the previous year. The falling off is mainly in the two largest libraries, those of Providence and Pawtucket, while in the smaller libraries the circulation was fairly well maintained. It is impossible to explain these fluctuations in the circulation of the libraries, but unless they are of a much more serious character than any yet noticed, they afford no cause of apprehension. It is probable that any series of years will show a gain, either for the whole number, or in the case of any individual library, unless some special circumstances have intervened to bring about a different result. The number of new patrons enrolled during the year was 6,422, about 400 more than last year. This shows that the libraries are interesting more and more of the people each year. To be sure they may not hold them all steadily, but having once availed themselves of the privileges, they will ever and again return. SCHOOL ACCOMMODATIONS. In connection with the subject of the enforcement of the Truant and Absentee Law, there has frequently arisen that of accommodations for the children. In a number of instances it has been openly claimed that the school-houses would not hold all that would seek admission if the law were to be thoroughly enforced, and that, therefore, there was nothing to do but let it go. Again, it not infrequently happens that a school-house becomes utterly unfit for use, and still the majority of the voters will refuse to make any provision for better accommodations, claiming that it is "as good as they had," or that they have no use for it and they don't care whether there is any school or not. It has happened that there was but one voter in a district where there were over fifty children, and if he declined to move, it was absolutely impossible to raise the necessary funds to make the school-house fit for occupancy. If the State is to make provision as she does for the education of all the children of suitable age within her borders, it would seem as though they should be furnished with the opportunity to obtain that education; that no false policy of economy on the part of a town, or selfish indifference on the part of a few persons who happen for the time to be in a majority in a district, should stand in the way of providing fit and abundant accommodations for them. From the beginning, the law of Rhode Island has recognized the importance of this point and has made partial provision for securing its proper care. Where the district system prevails, the town school committee are made the judges of the fitness of the school accommodations to the extent of determining whether they are suitable, but not as to their extent. If in their judgment a school-house is unfit for use by a school, they have power to condemn it, whereupon the district can no longer draw any portion of the "public money" for the support of its school. In this way the State has sought to compel districts to live up to their responsibilities, and it has unquestionably in many cases, both directly and indirectly, accomplished its purpose. But there are instances where even the alternative of the loss of the school would not move the hard-hearted tax-payer. Moreover, under the town system there is no such opportunity for compulsion, as there is no one between the committee and the town. It is therefore necessary, in order to carry out the ideas of the founders of our system, that the laws be so amended that in case of obdurate municipalities or districts refusing to conform to the demands of the properly constituted authorities in these matters, they may be compelled to give heed thereto. GENERAL CONDITION OF THE SCHOOLS. The general condition of the schools, in spite of many exceptions and some glaring ones, is probably better than at any previous time. The last two examinations for entrance to the Normal School have shown that the general standard of scholarship is rising in the State, the last one in particular being remarkable for the excellent showing made by pupils from the ungraded schools. Evidences of a more thorough and scientific teaching are to be found on every hand. The graduates of the Normal School are being more generally employed in the district or ungraded schools. The new teachers are not so much superior to the old ones in extent and character of acquirements oftentimes, as they are in methods of teaching, and in plans for classifying and systematizing the work of the school. Economy of time and labor is introduced, and results are secured that are very gratifying. For other information relating to education in Rhode Island contained in this Report, consult the Index. 11 ED SOUTH CAROLINA. [From Report for 1996-37 of State Superintendent James H. Rice.] Superintendent Rice visited every county in the State during the year, and delivered addresses upon the subject of free schools. He reports that the people are more thoroughly aroused than ever to the duty of elementary training for their children. More money is devoted to this object than to any other department of the State government. The public school system in its present form has been the growth of a decade. Ten years ago a 2-mill property tax and a poll-tax were imposed. Since then much good work has been accomplished; the foundations for a system of universal education have been laid broad and deep. Such systems are a growth, however; they must take into account the genius of the institutions, and be accommodated to the habits, resources, and hopes of a people. They cannot be forced except into an unhealthy development. Time must be given for adjustment. On this account progress has been slow, and hasty legislation avoided. The situation, however, is now clear, and the time has arrived to give to the children a good elementary school in every neighborhood in the State. The superintendent recommends the following legislation in order to accomplish this: (1) An annual voluntary district tax, sufficient to give 10 months' school and free tuition to every child. Many school districts have been already formed under special Acts among the more thickly populated communities, and large sums of money raised for buildings and other purposes. A general law is now desired, to enable all the people of the State to organize into school districts and to tax themselves. (2) The amendment of the law relating to county school commissioners, requiring them to stand an examination conducted by the State board of education before being appointed. Hitherto the office has been too often bestowed as a reward for party service, and as a consequence has fallen into disrepute. The county commissioner should either be a teacher, or one who has mastered the details and fundamental laws of the profession. It is also recommended that his salary should be raised to $1,000, and that he should be required to devote every day to his duties. (3) The establishment of a State normal school or schools, at the same time fostering existing institutions. (4) The restoration of their pay to the examining boards. The statistics show a falling off in enrolment and average daily attendance as compared with the preceding year. This decrease is more apparent than real. There was an error in the return of Berkeley County for 1885-86, doubling the figures; moreover, the schools of Georgetown County were closed during the scholastic year 1886-87 by an Act of the Legislature. Superintendent Rice says that the returns for the next school year will demonstrate the fact that there has been an increase in enrolment and attend ance. [From the message of the Governor to the General Assembly.] THE PUBLIC SCHOOLS. There is an apparent decrease in the enrolment, and, therefore, in the average attendance of the public schools for the year 1883-87. This is due to the closing of the schools of Georgetown County during the year, under the authority of an act of the General Assembly, and to an error in the last return from Berkeley County. There is beyond question in the schools generally throughout the State a gradual and constant annual increase in the number enrolled and a corresponding increase in the average attendance. This desirable result has been reached notwithst ang the short crops and the low prices of the past few years. The people of the State are more aroused upon this important subject of education than ever before in their history, and the next report of the superintendent will, in his opinion, vin licate this assertion. They demand longer terms and more thoroughly trained teachers. There should be a general act providing for local taxation to supplement the school fund wherever the tax payers of a community desire the establishment of schools of a higher grade; and liberal efforts should be made by the Legislature to give greater facilities for the training of teachers in schools specially adapted to that end. The constitution enjoins this, and the people demand it. The report of the superintendent urges the passage of an act to provide for more efficient superintendence, and the argument he advances is so clear and complete as to carry conviction with it. A large amount of money is expended by the State for this most important object-education-and it is the duty of the representatives of the people to see that the greatest possible amount of good is accomplished, and that a return in some degree commensurate with the series made by tac tax payers is secured. Nothing makes such a handsome return to a State as the provision made for the elementary train ing of her children, and this subject should always demand our most thoughtful and earnest attention and our wisest and most progressive legislation. The superintendent of education has been most active in his efforts to enkindle in the public mind a due conception of the vital importance of popular education to the safety and well-being of society, and has visited every county in the State, addressing audiences and giving his personal supervision to the conduct of the public schools. It is hoped that these efforts will create new and increased interest in this important department of the Government. For other information concerning education in South Carolina consult the Index. TENNESSEE. Reference is made to the Index for the statistical and other information contained in this Report concerning education in Tennessee. TEXAS. [From Report for 1986-87 of State Superintendent Oscar H. Cooper.] GENERAL CONDITION. While there are some serious defects in the public school system of Texas, it is still accomplishing much in the cause of education, and is making steady advances in the number of schools and the number of children attending them. With its large endowrent in bonds and lands, half a million acres, it should become one of the most successful school systems in the United States. The entire number of schools maintained in the State during the year 1886-87 was 8.947, an increase over the previous year of 267, or 3 per cent. The number of white children enrolled was 295,510, the number of colored children 113,150; total, white and colored, 408,660, an increase of about 3 per cent. The number of teachers employed was 11,123, about three-fourths of whom were white. The average monthly salary of- White teachers: In counties In cities... Colored teachers: In counties.. In cities............ The entire amount expended for schools during the year was $2,016,745. NEW LEGISLATION. $43.27 69.39 38.65 49.78 Teachers' examinations.-By enactment of the last Legislature, examinations of teachers are to be conducted wholly in writing, and the county boards of examiners are required to report on oath the results of the examinations. These regulations have had very gratifying effects and have given universal satisfaction. Sets of questions for these examinations were made out by the State superintendent and forwarded to the county examiners. The use of them, however, is entirely optional with the examiners. In crder to secure uniformity in the examinations throughout the State, the use of the questions prepared by the State superintendent should be required by law. County superintendents.—Provision was made by the Twentieth Legislature for supervision of the county schools by county superintendents, and about (wenty counties have availed themselves of the privilege. The county superintendents discharged their duties Luthfully and efficiently, and, as the result of their work, the schools have been much iraproved, the teachers have been encouraged and enabled to perform their work more satisfactorily. Many of the counties did not appoint a superintendent because of their izability to secure a thoroughly competent one for the salary allowed. Coláře a not eaumerated.—The provision of the law that all children whose names had been omitted from the census rolls by the county assessors should be permitted to attend school in the district or community in which they live, has proved to be an eminently Wise one. By this measure, a large number of children, who otherwise would have been deprived of all school privileges, through no fault of their own but on account of the relessness of the county assessors, have been allowed to attend school. The number of Latex omitted from the census rolls was quite large, amounting in one county alone to about 1,000. UNIFORMITY OF TEXT-BOOKS. There is a strong demand throughout the State for uniformity of text-books. In about counties much has already been done in this direction by the voluntary efforts of |