13, of whom 12 were young women, closing its fourth annual session with marked improvement in condition.

Houston has a high school in charge of Oscar S. Cooper, principal.

OTHER SECONDARY SCHOOLS.

For information concerning business colleges, private academic schools, and preparatory departments of colleges, see Tables IV, VI, IX, and X of the Appendix, and the summaries thereof in the report of the Commissioner preceding.

SUPERIOR INSTRUCTION.

COLLEGES FOR YOUNG MEN OR FOR BOTH SEXES.

The University of Texas, Austin, organized in 1883 for both sexes, has in its academic department 7 distinct schools, viz, ancient languages, modern languages, English and history, philosophy, mathematics, chemistry, and physics. The courses of instruction occupy from 2 to 4 years, and lead to the degrees of B. Let., B. Sci., B. A., M. A., and

B. L.

For courses and statistics of the 10 other colleges and universities reporting, see Table IX of the Appendix; for summaries, see the report of the Commissioner preceding. All offer preparatory studies and classical courses of 4 years. Southwestern University and Marvin College are arranged on the plan of 9 independent schools, including commercial departments and schools of music. Baylor, Waco, Trinity, and St. Mary's Universities present business courses of from 2 to 5 years. Of the above institutions, 4' admit the sexes upon equal terms, and Southwestern University provides an annex for young women.

INSTITUTIONS FOR THE SUPERIOR INSTRUCTION OF YOUNG WOMEN.

For information regarding the colleges for this sex alone, reference is made to Table VIII of the Appendix. A summary of this table will also be found in the report of the Commissioner preceding.

SCIENTIFIC AND PROFESSIONAL INSTRUCTION.

SCIENTIFIC.

The Agricultural and Mechanical College of Texas, College Station, in 1884-'85_reported 141 students, besides 29 in the preparatory class, all under 9 instructors. Tuition is free, the full course covering 3 years. The college divides its studies into 8 departments, namely: agriculture; mechanical engineering and drawing; military science and tactics; chemistry; mathematics; English language, literature, and history; ancient and modern languages; and physics. Graduates from a 3-years course are entitled to the college diploma, but for the degree of civil or mechanical engineer, or that of bachelor of science, one year is added, embracing advanced studies in the departments under each degree.

For statistics of scientific schools and scientific departments reporting, see Tables IX and X of the Appendix; for summaries of these, see corresponding tables in the report of the Commissioner preceding.

PROFESSIONAL.

THEOLOGY.-Theological instruction is offered in Baylor, Trinity, and Waco Uni

versities.

For statistics, see Table XI of the Appendix, and for a summary of them, see the report of the Commissioner preceding.

LAW.-Legal training is given in the law department of the University of Texas in a 2-years course. Students are exercised in the discussion of legal questions and the preparation of legal instruments, and, when sufficiently advanced, in the trial of cases in moot courts.

SPECIAL INSTRUCTION.

EDUCATION OF THE DEAF.

The Texas Institution for the Deaf and Dumb, Austin, teaches the common school branches, with natural philosophy and Bible study. Articulation is taught, as well as agriculture, printing, and shoemaking. The full course of instruction covers 7

years.

EDUCATION OF THE BLIND.

In the Texas Institution for the Blind, Austin, the common school and some higher branches are taught, the point system being employed. Special attention is given to 1 Mansfield Male and Female, Marvin, and Salado Colleges, and Waco University.

instrumental music. In the mechanical department are taught broom, mattress, and pillow making; chair-seating; and tuning and repairing pianos and organs.

EDUCATIONAL CONVENTIONS.

STATE TEACHERS' ASSOCIATION.

The Texas State Teachers' Association met at Waco, June 30-July 2, 1885, President Dow in the chair. Among the papers read and discussed before the association were, "Scientific instruction on temperance in the public schools," "A new view of geology," "Religion and public schools," "Associational work," "A plea for English literature," "Natural history and science in schools," "Industrial education in relation to common schools," and "Our little ones." A resolution was adopted recominending that senators and members who appoint students to the Sam Houston Normal School carry out the system of competitive examination. It was also resolved to hold an educational exhibit under the auspices of the association at the next meeting.

SUPERINTENDENTS' ASSOCIATION.

The Superintendents' Association of Texas held its third convention at the Texas headquarters of the Exposition in New Orleans, President J. E. McQuire presiding. Hon. T. T. Gammage, U. S. Commissioner for Texas, presented a communication, which was acted upon favorably, requesting each teacher in the State of Texas to collect and forward at once to New Orleans educational exhibits from each of their respective schools. Professor Hogg, speaking on “National aid to education," said he was fully aware of the liberality of Texas in providing for the educational necessities of her citizens, and that many of her sister States were unable, with their present resources, to successfully cope with the difficulties of educating the masses. A resolution was adopted stating that, in view of the embarrassments to education in the States suffering from the largest amount of illiteracy, the teachers of Texas embrace this opportunity to offer their profound conviction of the necessity and wisdom of providing immediate national aid to education.

CHIEF STATE SCHOOL OFFICER.

HON. B. M. BAKER, State superintendent of public instruction, Austin.

[Term, January, 1884, to January, 1886.]

(From reports of Hon. Justus Dartt, State superintendent of education, for the two years above indicated.)

STATE SCHOOL SYSTEM.

GENERAL CONDITION.

The educational condition of the State cannot be fully shown, as the superintendent's report is biennial, and 1884-'85 is an off year. The main figures have, however, been furnished by him, showing a larger average attendance, with fewer teachers; more public schools, though fewer districts; and a lessened number of very small schools. Although more teachers employed in the public schools had received normal training, the average monthly salaries of men were reduced, while the pay of women was somewhat advanced.

As to the past, the number of children between 4 and 18 years of age in the State in 1864 was 85,795; in 1874, the number between 5 and 20 years was 89,541, the legal school age having been changed in 1870; in 1878, the number was 92,831. This was the last school census taken by district clerks, the law requiring it having been re

pealed. By the United States census of 1880 the number of school youth was 99,463, since which time no census has been taken. Judging from the increase of school youth from 1864 to 1880, it is probable that the present school population is over 108,000.

An encouraging feature of the educational condition continues to be an increasing number of towns adopting the town system, instead of the district system, for the control of public schools, progress in which looks towards decided improvement in school work.

ADMINISTRATION.

The school officers are, for the State, a superintendent of education, elected biennially by the general assembly; for towns, superintendents elected annually; for counties, examining boards, with clerks; for districts, moderators, clerks, collectors of taxes, treasurers, 1 or 3 auditors, and prudential committees. In towns where the district system has been abolished, there are boards of 3 or 6 directors, and any town having a high or central school elects for such school a prudential committee of 3, with annual change of 1. Women may vote in all school district meetings and in election of school commissioners in towns and cities, and may hold school offices. A town, at its annual meeting, may abolish the district system. Unless otherwise instructed, every child of good health and sound mind between 7 and 14 years of age is required by law to attend a public school at least 3 months in the year. A district may establish evening schools, each evening to be regarded as a half-day session of public school. The law provides that one or more schools shall be maintained in each town for instruction of the youth in the common school branches, in free-hand drawing, history and Constitution of the United States and of the State of Vermont, and in elementary physiology and hygiene with explanation of the effects of stimulants and narcotics on the human system.

SCHOOL FINANCES.

Public schools are sustained by district and town taxation, and the income from town school funds and the United States deposit fund. The interest on the last is apportioned to towns according to population, while one-half of the town school money, if it does not exceed $1,200, or, if it does, one-third of it, is equally divided among the districts of such towns; the remainder is divided among the districts according to the attendance of the children of school age during the previous year. Towns failing to assess school taxes forfeit to the county a sum equal to double the amount required to be raised by such tax, to be recovered by the county court. No sectarian or church school may be maintained from any portion of the public school fund.

SCHOOL SYSTEMS OF CITIES OF 7,500 OR MORE INHABITANTS.

ADMINISTRATION.

Burlington has a school board of 6 commissioners, one from each ward, and a city superintendent; Rutland, a board of education of 9 members, with a city superintendent.

Burlington reports a small increase in enrollment and attendance, with 4 more teachers. The graded schools continued to be classed as primary, intermediate, graumar, and high. The first 3 grades have a course of study covering 3 years each, and the high school 3 courses of 4 years each. Three ungraded schools are reported, 1 day, and 2 evening schools, Music, drawing, physiology, and language lessons are included in the curriculum as far as the high school, but appear to be dropped there. The grammar school was so crowded that it became necessary to stop the admission of non-resident pupils. The number in the high school exceeded the seating capacity of the school, so that some of the pupils were compelled to study at home, and report at the school-room for recitation only. During the year a larger

sum than usual was expended for apparatus, charts, and maps. The intermediate schools have been furnished with globes, the grammar schools with wall maps, and both grades with charts and drawing models. The average number of weeks of school session was 31.2. About 1,000 children were attending private schools, making 1,652 youth of the city under instruction.

Rutland classes its schools as primary, intermediate, secondary, grammar, and high, covering 3 years for each grade, except secondary schools, which occupy but 2.

PREPARATION AND QUALIFICATIONS OF TEACHERS.

GENERAL STATE REQUIREMENTS.

A certificate of graduation from the lower course of a normal school, or of a training department of a graded school, is a license to teach in the common schools of the State for 5 years; one from the higher course of such schools is a license for 10 years. The board of examiners may grant county licenses for 5 years to candidates who pass a satisfactory examination in all the branches required by law to be taught in the common schools of the State, and in drawing, methods of teaching, and elementary physiology and hygiene. Town certificates may be given to such as pass the examination satisfactorily. A town superintendent may teach in his own town for one year, if found qualified on examination by the superintendent of an adjoining town.

STATE NORMAL TRAINING.

The 3 State normal schools, at Castleton, Johnson, and Randolph, offer strictly professional training in courses of from 1 to 4 years. Each town is entitled to the free tuition of one student, who may attend either school. Students may be admitted to advanced standing on passing an examination satisfactorily. Graduates from either of these schools may teach in the common schools of the State without further examination.

SECONDARY INSTRUCTION.

PUBLIC HIGH SCHOOLS.

The State report for 1883-84 gives 27 towns as the number having graded schools of 4 or more departments, and supporting not less than 30 weeks of school. They are well organized under efficient supervision, and have regular courses of study. Four were combined with academies. Six other towns have graded schools of 3 departments, with prescribed courses of study. In these graded schools there were enrolled during the year 13,631 pupils, of whom 1,969 were in high schools. The Burlington high school includes English, Latin-English, and classical courses, each covering 4 years, and affords a thorough training for business, for teaching, or for the work of classical or scientific schools.

Rutland high school presents English and classical courses of instruction, each covering 3 years.

OTHER SECONDARY SCHOOLS.

For statistics of business colleges, private academic schools, preparatory schools, and preparatory departments of colleges, see Tables IV, VI, VII, and IX of the Appendix.

SUPERIOR INSTRUCTION.

COLLEGES FOR YOUNG MEN OR FOR BOTH SEXES.

The University of Vermont and State Agricultural College, Burlington, gives instruction in departments of arts, applied science, and medicine, the first two being open to young women. The department of arts is divided into 5 sections, viz, (1) rhetoric and English literature, (2) ancient and modern languages, (3) mathematics, (4) natural science, and (5) political, moral, and intellectual philosophy. The course covers 4 years and leads to the degree of A. B. Male students are required to take part in military drill and instruction 2 hours each week. For departments of applied science and medicine, see proper headings further on. Hon. Frederick Billings, who donated $100,000 for the erection of a new library building, as noted in the last report, has given $10,000 additional for the same worthy object, with the promise of more if needed. The library numbers 21,000 volumes.

Middlebury College, Middlebury, in 1884-85 reported 43 students in its 4-years classical course, 8 of whom were young women. For the attainment of honors a general average of 75 per cent is required; for highest honors, 90 per cent. Examinations are severe and thorough. The studies are arranged in 8 departments, viz, ancient languages; mathematics; rhetoric and English literature; mechanics, physics, and astronomy; modern languages; chemistry and natural history; philosophy; and ethics and political science.