a Time the graded schools were taught. b Time the ungraded schools were taught. e Note what is said respecting this under "State school system, general condition." (From figures furnished by Hon. Leonidas S. Cornell, State superintendent of public instruction.) C3 15 67 22 4.07 52 29 57 36 5 07 809,898 c1, 676, 130 114, 220 934, 727 2,052, 100 133, 829 124, 829 STATE SCHOOL SYSTEM. GENERAL CONDITION. The figures of the preceding statistical summary show progress at almost every point: 1,713 more children to be taught; 1,023 more brought under public school instruction; 1,440 more in average attendance; additional seats for such attendance going far beyond the actual demand for them; an increase of teachers fairly corresponding with the additional number of pupils in the schools; pay of teachers greater, on an average, except in the case of men in graded schools; while, to meet these advances, there was an expenditure for the public schools $124,829 larger than in the preceding year. School property, rated in 1883-84 at $1,676,130, went up, as may be seen, to $2,052,100, an advance of $375,970 on the estimated value of the preceding year. It is desired that this may be especially noticed, because, through a clerical error, the school property of the State was, on page 49 of the report from this Bureau for 1883-'84, given as "about $125,000," which was only about the increase of the valuation of it in that year, as shown at the close of page XXVII in the same report. This error is the more regretted because a very competent authority says, "It is doubtful whether in any State of the Union, in proportion to its age and population, can be found a greater number of first-class school buildings or better schools than in the towns of this State." ADMINISTRATION. For the administration of the public school system there are: (1) a State board of education; (2) a State superintendent of public instruction, who is a member of the board; (3) a superintendent of public schools in each county; (4) boards of directors of school districts; those of first class districts of 6 members; those of second and third class districts of 3 members. These officers are all elected by the people of the State, county, or district which they represent; the State and county superintendents for 2 years; directors, for 3 years, with annual change of one-third. Women are eligible to the district boards and may vote at elections for them. The schools of the State system are free to all youth 6 to 21 years of age, shown by an annual census to be residents in the districts where they are in operation. None such are to be debarred from attendance in them, or subjected to special classification, because of race or color. To obtain State school funds, schools must be kept in session at least 60 days in each year. The studies to be pursued, and the text-books to be used, are determined by each district board. Sectarian instruction is forbidden; but a fair training in good morals is provided for by the requirement that all teachers in public schools shall be of unexceptional moral character, and that school boards may suspend or expel refractory pupils. Gradation of studies is provided for up through those of high schools, which prepare pupils for the State University. SCHOOL FINANCES. The means of support of public schools come: (1) from the proceeds of a State school fund; (2) a county tax of 2 to 5 mills on the dollar; (3) optional district taxes; and (4) the receipts from fines, penalties, and forfeitures, these last going to the districts or counties in which they have been incurred. The State superintendent distributes the State funds to the county superintendents; they apportion these, with what is raised in the county, to the school districts that have maintained schools for at least 60 days under licensed teachers. This apportionment is according to the number of children of school age, as shown by the annual census. SCHOOL SYSTEMS OF CITIES WITH 7,500 OR MORE INHABITANTS. ADMINISTRATION. Districts of the first class-i. e., with more than 1,000 inhabitants-are under the administrative direction of boards of 6 directors, the members of which are liable to an annual change of 2. Each board elects a president from its own members; a secretary, who may be a member of the board; and a treasurer, who must not be a member. Every board of this class has power to make by-laws for its own government and the government of its public schools. It may employ or discharge teachers, enforce the rules and regulations of the State superintendent, fix the course of study, and determine the textbooks to be used for 4-year terms. Denver and Leadville, the only cities in the State that have a population sufficient for report here, have superintendents of their public schools, elected by their respective boards. 1 As to moral influences in school, see further on a resolution adopted at the close of the State Teachers' Association. Denver. The city superintendent reports for 1884-'85 that for the first time in many years there has been no increase of pupils in the public schools, which he regards as an evidence of no increase in population during the year. As compared with 1883-'84, the enrollment was 278 less, while average daily attendance was nearly sustained.1 The enrollment was 63.68 per cent. of school youth, and daily attendance was 43.59 per cent. Adding to the enrollment 500 in private and parochial schools, shows 69.23 per cent. of school youth in school some part of the year. The great variety of nationalities is given as accounting for the changes in population and attendance in the public schools. The enrollment for 1884-'85 was from 46 States and Territories and 18 foreign countries, the nationality of 98 being unknown. Of those enrolled, 1,054, nearly onefifth of the whole, were children of mechanics; 631, of laborers; 473, of agents; 245, of miners; 219, of clerks; 242, of railroad employés, showing the uncertain character of about 50 per cent. of the entire enrollment. Denver, though of recent birth, ranks high for the number and excellence of its school buildings, numbering 15, with over 5,000 sittings, all except the high school completed since 1872 at an expense of $497,612. Present valuation not given. The high school building was to be at once completed, and made not only a beautiful structure, but also a monument to the efficiency and worth of the public school system, and an ornament to the city to which residents may point with pride and satisfaction. The superintendent claims that while manual education and military drill in the high and grammar schools go to improve the boys, the physical welfare of the girls should also be looked to as of more importance than mental drill; that the assignment of identical tasks for the average boy and girl of 16 is a mistake; and that a somewhat elastic and optional course for girls should obtain. An experimental night school was held during 4 months of the winter and will probably be continued. The observance of Arbor Day was an interesting and helpful event. Leadville presents no new statistics, those given in lack of later ones being for the year ending August, 1884. Of the 4 school buildings 2 are for the primary schools, 1 for the grammar, and 1 for the high, all valued, with other school property, at $155,200. A special teacher of music was employed at $1,000 a year. Schools were in session 180 days. The statistics reported show a remarkable enrollment of 82.83 per cent. of school youth, while the average daily attendance was only 45.62 per cent. of the same. With the addition of 289 in private and parochial schools, 96.37 per cent. of school youth were in school some part of the year. This large per cent. of enrollment over that of daily attendance is doubtless owing to the changing character of population incident to mining cities. PREPARATION AND QUALIFICATIONS OF TEACHERS. GENERAL STATE REQUIREMENTS. No district board may employ any person to teach in a public school of the State unless such person have a license from the district, county, or State school officers in full force at the date of employment. Since May 27, 1883, in districts with more than 1,000 children, the examinations of teachers to fill vacancies have been conducted by district boards, and those thus examined are not required to hold a certificate from the county superintendent while teaching in such district. In all other cases there must be a certificate from the superintendent of schools in the county where the applicant desires to teach, or a diploma from the State superintendent of education; the former is good for 6 months, 1 year, or 2 years; the latter during the life or good behavior of the holder. 1 The superintendent says it was materially increased. NORMAL COURSES. The University of Colorado offers what seems to be a thorough 4-year training in normal education to prepare teachers for the public schools. Instruction is given not only in the branches taught in the common schools, but in the theory of teaching, history and philosophy of education, and school economy. Applicants for admission must be at least 16 years of age, must declare their intention to become teachers, and must pass a satisfactory examination in the ordinary school branches. The University stands at the head of the public schools, and assures the county superintendents that the faculty will recommend only such students as, in their opinion, have made a good record. Colorado College, which showed in 1883 a normal cour of 4 years, has made no report of it to this Bureau since that date. The University of Denver continued in 1884-'85 to offer a special course of 1 year to those of its students who wished t repare for teaching in the public schools. This course, said to be conducted by teachers thoroughly familiar with normal methods, embraces methods of instruction in arithmetic, grammar, geography, history, school management, art of teaching, and oral training. For statistics of these schools see Table III of the Appendix; for summaries of same, the report of Commissioner preceding. TEACHERS' INSTITUTES. These are provided for whenever reasonable assurance shall be given by the superintendent of any county to the State superintendent of public instruction that at least 25 teachers in his county desire to assemble for a teachers' institute, to remain in session 2 weeks of 5 days each. When any such institute is organized, the directors of schools in the county may close their schools to allow teachers to attend the exercises, the pay of such teachers to continue while attending, as if there had been no closure. SECONDARY INSTRUCTION. PUBLIC HIGH SCHOOLS. Denver has had a high school since 1873, with division most of that time into general and classical departments, and a 4-year course for each. Both sexes are admitted. The enrollment from 1875-76 to 1884-'85 has increased from 104 to 319, the average belonging, from 77 to 259.9; the average daily attendance, from 74 to 249.8. The school is furnished with a full line of chemical and physical apparatus, a valuable cabinet of minerals, a collection of Colorado plants and flowers, physiological charts, and maps for classical and historical work. Leadville shows also a high school, with a building in which a principal and 3 teachers were employed; number of pupils and length of course not given. Golden and Pueblo, reported in 1883-'84, have sent no account of their high schools. OTHER SECONDARY SCHOOLS. For statistics of business colleges, private academic schools, preparatory schools, and preparatory departments of colleges or universities, see Tables IV, VI, VII, and IX of the Appendix; for their summaries, the report of the Commissioner preceding. SUPERIOR INSTRUCTION. COLLEGES FOR YOUNG MEN AND FOR BOTH SEXES. The University of Colorado, Boulder (non-sectarian), as a part of the public school system of the State, furnishes free tuition to State students of both sexes. It arranges its instruction under the departments of philosophy and arts, of medicine, normal school, conservatory of music, and preparatory school. The department of philosophy and arts includes courses leading to the degrees of A. B., Ph. B., Sci. B., and Lit. B. A full course for a degree covers 24 semesters of 5 exercises a week each. For the degrees of A. B. and Ph. B., 10 of the 24 semester courses are prescribed, while 14 are optional; for that of Sci. B., 16 are prescribed, 8 optional; for that of Lit. B., 13 are prescribed, 11 optional. The degrees of A. M. and Sci. M. are given to those who complete a graduate course authorized by a committee of the faculty, it being required that applications for such degrees be made a year in advance. The preparatory school prepares students for courses leading to the bachelor degree, but students graduating from high schools with a sufficient course of study may be accepted on evidence of such graduation. The course of study covers 4 years and is in many respects equal to those of good Eastern high schools. There is a choice between a classical, à Latin scientific, and a scientific course. Colorado College (non-sectarian), in its bulletin, 1885, presents preparatory, collegiate, and scientific courses, the full collegiate leading to the A. B. degree; the "Cutler literary" to a certificate of studies in English, mathematics, natural science, French, Ger man, and Latin, with historical, ethical, and psychological training; the scientific embraces blow-pipe analysis, determinative mineralogy, assaying, chemical analysis, geology, and surveying. The Normal school of 1883 has vanished. The University of Denver (Methodist Episcopal) for 1884-'85 announces, besides its "junior preparatory" school, colleges of letters and science, of music, of fine arts, cf business, and of medicine, as before. A movement for endowment was in progress in that year, with apparently fair prospect of securing $100,000 through an offer from Mrs. Bishop Warren of $50,000, conditioned on the raising of a like amount from subscriptions. A movement to endow a woman's professorship was also on foot. Two new Presbyterian colleges, one at Del Norte, another at Longmont, are reported on official authority, the former with 2 buildings and 34 students in preparatory classes; the latter with apparently fair prospects of eventual success. COLLEGES FOR YOUNG WOMEN. Young women are admitted, for special studies at least, to the University of Colorado, State School of Mines, Agricultural College, and University of Denver. The College of the Sacred Heart, near Denver (Roman Catholic), presents classical, commercial, and modern language courses, but without clear indication how far the instruction in such courses goes. SCIENTIFIC AND PROFESSIONAL. SCIENTIFIC. The University of Colorado, Boulder, presents in 1884-'85, as before, a fair range of scientific studies in mathematics; physical, mental, and moral science; political economy; topographical drawing; surveying and engineering. The continuance of this last depended on a detail of a United States Army officer for its continuance in 1885-'86. Colorado Agricultural College, Fort Collins, with preparatory, collegiate, special, and post-graduate studies, reports for the same year 96 students, 50 of them young women; a majority of the senior and post-graduate classes and 12 out of 18 special students being of this sex. The studies of the preparatory and collegiate departments are accompanied by or alternated with 2 hours' labor daily in farm, garden, orchard, shop, and laboratory; for which, with clinics in veterinary cases, there seems to be very fair provision, under 9 instructors, the course of training having a very practical look throughout. State appropriation, from a 1.5 mill tax, $21,000. The Colorado State School of Mines, Golden, retains its 3 regular courses in civil engineering, mining engineering, and metallurgy, each of 4 years, with special ores in assaying, chemical analysis, geology, mineralogy, and surveying, for students that wish to prepare for successful work in these lines. Free-hand and mechanical drawing and coloring are taught as part of this instruction, with a view to the development of such skill of hand and eye as will enable students promptly and effectively to illustrate any object by suitable sketches. A valuable museum of minerals, ores, and geological specimens, and a library of standard scientific works, with illustrative apparatus, aid in inculcating the instruction given. Faculty, 7; students in 1853-'84, 117, including 28 ladies attending lectures and drawing. Colorado College, Colorado Springs, offers to miners and surveyors winter scientific courses in mineralogy, chemistry, blow-pipe analysis, and other branches relating to their occupations, as stated under "Superior instruction" preceding. Statistics of the attendance on these courses have not been received. If any should be furnished, they may be found in Part 2, Table X of the Appendix. PROFESSIONAL. THEOLOGICAL.-Up to 1884-'85 this Bureau had no information of any regularly organized theological seminary in the State, except at Denver, where, in connection with the Protestant Episcopal Cathedral, there is such a school, with 4 professors; students in 1884-'85, as in the previous year, 3. At the Roman Catholic Pro-Cathedral, Denver, it is believed that there is also some training for the priesthood, as the records of the vicariate of Colorado show 4 ecclesiastical students, and this cathedral seems to be the only place for training such. MEDICAL.-The Medical Department of the University of Colorado, organized 1883, had in 1884-'85 7 professors, a 3-year graded course, with an annual session of 39 weeks; requires for admission a literary or scientific degree, or a high school diploma, or a thorough examination in the branches of a good English education, including mathematics and |
