in 11 buildings, with 35 rooms and 1,605 sittings, valued, with all other school property, at $100,000.

La Crosse reports increase in all points except expenditure, which was about $10,000 less than in the preceding year. The public schools were held 196 days in 13 buildings, with accommodations for 2,628 pupils. School property was valued at $138,000. Estimated enrollment in private schools, 1,273.

Madison reported advancement all along the line, holding its schools 185 days in 8 buildings, with 1,900 sittings for study, valued, with all other school property, at $100,000. Enrollment in all private schools, 300.

A

Milwaukee includes kindergarten training in its city school system. The entire graded course covers 13 years, and music, drawing, and German are given throughout. business course is offered to students beyond the eighth grade, embracing the ordinary English branches, elementary science, short-hand, type-writing, book-keeping, and letter-writing. The college preparatory course covers 3 years, and includes Latin, Greek, German, French, English studies, and the sciences. Special teachers employed in 1884'85 were 1 in music, 1 in drawing, and 16 in German. Evening schools were taught in day-school buildings, and enrolled 1,200 pupils, with an average attendance of 700 boys and 150 girls. Schools were taught 192 days in 27 buildings, containing 16,070 sittings for study and recitation. Public school property was valued at $863,800. Enrollment in private schools, 13,010.

Oshkosh in 1884-'85 showed an increase in youth of school age and in enrollment, with 1 more teacher, but expenditures were considerably less than in the preceding year. One school-house was added, making 10 in all, furnishing accommodations for 3,200 pupils, and valued, with all public school property, at $102,500. A great difference is made in the salaries of the sexes teaching in the public schools, as the men receive an average annual salary of $831, the women only $384. The highest paid any man during the year was $1,750; the highest paid any woman, $650. The grades of instruction cover 10 years, closing with a full classical course, if desired. Public schools were in session 196 days during the year. Private schools enrolled 1,550 pupils.

Racine reported fewer youth of school age in 1884-'85, with a slight increase in enrollment and 2 more teachers. Public schools were taught 200 days in 8 buildings, containing 49 rooms, with 2,900 sittings for study, valued, with all school property, at $112,000. Estimated enrollment in private schools, 963, occupying 9 rooms under 16 teachers.

PREPARATION AND QUALIFICATIONS OF TEACHERS.

GENERAL STATE REQUIREMENTS.

Teachers, to be legally employed in public schools, must have a certificate of qualification from their county superintendents or from the State board of examiners, unless they are graduates of one of the State normal schools, of the State university, or of some college in the State with equivalent courses of study; and no person may receive a certificate who does not write and speak English easily and correctly. Certificates granted by county superintendents are of three grades. For third-grade certificates, good for time specified by county superintendents, not to exceed a year, applicants must be examined in common school branches; for second-grade, good for a year, there are added grammatical analysis, physical geography, and elementary algebra; and for first-grade, good for two years, applicants must pass a satisfactory examination in all the foregoing, also in higher algebra, natural philosophy, and geometry. Each county superintendent establishes for his county, under the advice of the State superintendent, the standard of attainment which must be reached by applicants for the different grades of certificates. The board of examiners, which is appointed by the State superintendent, gives State diplomas good for 5 years and for life. The State superintendent also has power to grant diplomas to graduates of the un' ersity and of colleges, which hold good until annulled. Diplomas of graduates from the full 4-years course of the State normal schools, countersigned by the State superintendent, become unlimited State certificates after the holder has successfully taught one year.

STATE NORMAL TRAINING.

The 4 State normal schools, located respectively at Oshkosh, Platteville, River Falls, and White Water, are sustained from the income of the State normal school fund and from tuition fees. Normal instruction in each school covers 4 years. All have primary, intermediate, grammar, preparatory, and training-school departments, and that at Oshkosh has a kindergarten class. Children are received into this department between the ages of 4 and 7 years, and are classified in 3 divisions. The aggregate number of pupils in the 4 schools in 1884-'85 was 2,045; of normal students, 1,199-an advance over the preceding year of 74 in the aggregate attendance, and of 259 in normal students.

The grounds and building provided by the city of Milwaukee at an expense of $53,000 were presented by that city for a State normal school, and accepted by the board of regents, in June, 1835, to be opened for pupils the following September. Free tuition in all these schools is extended to normal students who declare their intention to follow the profession of teaching.

OTHER NORMAL TRAINING.

Normal instruction enters into the city school system of Milwaukee in connection with the 3-years high school course.

The National German-American Seminary, Milwaukee, offers a 3-years normal course, and in 1884-'85 had 17 students under 6 instructors. Vocal and instrumental music and drawing are taught, and a model school for practice teaching is connected with the institution.

The Catholic Normal School, St. Francis, has a 4-years course of normal training, and reports 101 male students under 5 instructors; 8 of these students graduated during the year, all of whom engaged in teaching. Music and drawing are taught. No model school attached.

Milton College has a teachers' course divided into elementary and advanced sections, each requiring 2 years for its completion.

A class in methods of teaching, meeting once or twice a week, was connected with Galesville University in 1884.

The Kindergarten Training School, Eau Claire, in 1884-'85 had 12 normal students in its 1-year course, of whom 4 were graduated and engaged in teaching.

TEACHERS' INSTITUTES.

The law provides for at least one State teachers' institute annually, to be conducted by the State superintendent, and for at least one institute in each county annually, held by the county superintendent. In the spring of 1885, teachers' institutes were held in 19 counties, with an aggregate attendance of 1,594 teachers. They are said to have been well attended, and very profitable. The time occupied by these institutes ranged from 2 days to 2 weeks.

EDUCATIONAL JOURNAL.

The Wisconsin Journal of Education, published at Madison and conducted by State Superintendent Graham and his assistants, is the organ of the State Teachers' Association and of the department of instruction. In 1885 it was in its fifteenth volume.

SECONDARY INSTRUCTION.

PUBLIC HIGH SCHOOLS.

The State appropriates $25,000 annually for the maintenance of free high schools; and any district establishing a high school according to law, and maintaining the same not less than 3 months in any school year, is entitled to receive from this fund annually onehalf the amount actually expended for such instruction. High schools are maintained in the cities of Appleton, Berlin, Eau Claire, Fond du Lac, Janesville, La Crosse, Madison, Milwaukee, Oshkosh, Racine, and others, with classical courses of 3 or 4 years each, those of Madison and Milwaukee adding business courses. The State superintendent reports 119 high schools in the State, 4 more than in 1883-'84, with an enrollment of 7,761 pupils, an increase of 72.

OTHER SECONDARY SCHOOLS.

For statistics of business colleges, private academies, and preparatory schools reporting, see Tables IV, VI, and VII of the Appendix, and summaries in the report of the Commissioner preceding.

SUPERIOR INSTRUCTION.

COLLEGES FOR YOUNG MEN OR FOR BOTH SEXES.

The University of Wisconsin, Madison, with endowment from the State and from the Congressional grant for the benefit of agriculture and the mechanic arts, with an annual income of nearly $30,000, and with grounds, buildings, and apparatus valued at $400,000, receives an annual appropriation from the State, and gives its students free tuition, admitting both sexes on equal terms. Its 4-years collegiate department includes a college of arts and one of letters, the latter having an ancient and a modern classical course, each leading to its appropriate degree. In both courses Latin is required, the ancient classical also requiring Greek; the modern classical, German or French in place of Greek. A graduate course is also provided. Graduates of accredited high schools are received without further examination by the university into any of its courses for which they have been fitted.

The other institutions of collegiate rank are Lawrence University, Appleton; Galesville University; Northwestern University, Watertown; and Beloit, Milton, Racine, and Ripon Colleges. Beloit, Racine, and the university at Watertown are for young men only; the others are open alike to both sexes. All have preparatory departments, scientific and classical courses of study, and Lawrence University a commercial course of 2 years.

For statistics of colleges, see Table IX of the Appendix; for a summary of their statistics, see a corresponding table in the report of the Commissioner preceding.

INSTITUTIONS FOR THE SUPERIOR INSTRUCTION OF YOUNG WOMEN.

For statistics of institutions of this class. see Table VIII of the Appendix, and the summary of it in the report of the Commissioner preceding.

SCIENTIFIC AND PROFESSIONAL INSTRUCTION.

SCIENTIFIC.

Instruction of this class is found in the State university, in its college of agriculture and mechanic arts, established by act of Congress in 1882, granting 240,000 acres of land to the State for the practical teaching of these sciences. Departments of agricultural chemistry, botany, mechanical engineering, and practical mechanics are included. The study of astronomy is amply provided for in the Washburn Observatory. The National Academy of Sciences has appropriated $300 from the Bache Fund for the construction of an aurora spectroscope, which is to be loaned to the observatory.

Scientific courses of 2 to 4 years are found in Lawrence, Galesville, and Northwestern Universities, and in Beloit, Milton, Racine, and Ripon Colleges.

For full statistics of scientific schools, see Table X of the Appendix; for a summary, see a corresponding table in the report of the Commissioner preceding.

PROFESSIONAL.

THEOLOGY.-Theological instruction is given in the Mission House, Franklin (Reformed); in the Lutheran Theological Seminary of the Synod of Wisconsin; at Nashotah House, Nashotah (Protestant Episcopal); and in the Seminary of St. Francis (Roman Catholic). All report 3-years courses of study, and require an examination for admission.

For statistics and other information relative to these and other schools reporting, see Table XI of the Appendix; for a summary, see the report of the Commissioner preceding.

LAW.-Legal training is given in the law department of the State university in a 2-years course, the instruction being by reading, lectures, and moot courts. Applicants for admission who are not college graduates must be 20 years of age, and must pass a satisfactory examination in the ordinary English branches.

PHARMACY is taught in the State university in a 2-years course, the instruction comprising a series of lectures upon practical pharmacy, pharmaceutical and general chemistry, chemical physics, materia medica, and botany, all of which are illustrated by cabinet specimens, experiments, apparatus, and diagrams, with frequent reviews throughout the course. Graduates from a school of high standard, or who hold certificates of good standing and scholarship in a high school or college, and are at least 16 years of age, may be admitted without examination.

SPECIAL INSTRUCTION.

EDUCATION OF THE DEAF.

The Wisconsin School for the Deaf, Delavan, a State institution, gives tuition, books, board, etc., free of charge to deaf mutes of the State who are between the ages of 8 and 21 years, and of sound mind, health, and morals. Instruction is given in the common and higher English branches, including anatomy, chemistry, natural history, and philosophy, with drawing, painting in oil and water colors, lip-reading, and oral speech; also baking, carpentering, printing, and shoemaking. The workshops are each under the charge of a competent foreman, and the work is said to be carried on with profit and

success.

The Milwaukee Day School for Deaf Children, founded in 1883, and for some time under control of the Wisconsin Phonological Institute, became a public school, with special State aid, April 4, 1885. It had 11 pupils in 1884-'85, under 2 instructors. The common English branches are taught by the oral method alone. The income for the year is reported to have been $2,200 from the Wisconsin Phonological Institute, and $450 from tuition fees. Expenditure for the year was $2,500.

The Wisconsin Institution for the Education of the Blind, Janesville, is supported by the State, no charge being made for board or tuition. Pupils are admitted between the ages of 8 and 21 years, and are given a good common-school education, specially adapted to their condition. A kindergarten is connected with the institution. Besides vocal

and instrumental music, various trades and industries enter into the daily instruction, thereby fitting pupils to take an intelligent and useful part in the affairs of life. The number of pupils on the rolls October, 1884, was 64, under 11 teachers.

REFORMATORY AND INDUSTRIAL TRAINING.

The Wisconsin Industrial School for Boys, Waukesha, for the moral, intellectual, and industrial training of youthful offenders between the ages of 10 and 16, was established under State control in 1860. Since that time 2,286 boys have been committed. The primary branches are taught, with such industries as boot and shoe making, sockknitting, tailoring, and farming.

The Wisconsin Industrial School for Girls, Milwaukee, established in 1875, gives moral and educational training to girls under 16 and boys under 10 years of age, who are found in danger of falling into habits of vice and immorality; also to the stubborn and unruly, and to offenders under the above ages who have committed and been arraigned for any punishable offense. In 1884-'85 there were 45 boys and 127 girls, under 18 instructors, and 96 were discharged during the year. The parents of nearly all were illiterate, and all but 5 or 6 were native born. Since the institution was organized, 530 have been committed; and of the number discharged, nine-tenths are known to have become useful and orderly members of society. The common English branches are taught, with civil government and domestic economy. Instruction is also given in sewing and general housework.

EDUCATIONAL CONVENTIONS.

WISCONSIN STATE TEACHERS' ASSOCIATION.

The meeting of this association was held at Madison, December 29-31, 1884, President R. W. Burton in the chair. The first address was by Hon. L. A. Proctor, upon "The work of the Boys' Industrial School." Hon. Robert Graham, State superintendent, presented the report of the committee on "Arbor day," recommending that the governor of the State be requested to appoint a day in the spring of 1885 to be observed as Arbor day, which was concurred in. A paper by Professor Belfield, of the Chicago Manual Labor School, upon the "New education" was read; after which ensued a spirited discussion upon the course of reading in all grades of public schools. Prof. A. F. North followed with a paper upon "Courtesy," and President J. L. Pickard, of the Iowa State university, addressed the association upon "The increase of crime in the United States, and the relation of the schools thereto." Papers were also read upon "The duty of the school to the community," and "Oral instruction;" after which the committee on resolutions reported and the association adjourned.

CHIEF STATE SCHOOL OFFICER.

HON. ROBERT GRAHAM, State superintendent of public instruction, Madison.

[Second term, 1885 to 1888.]

ALASKA.

Dr. Sheldon Jackson, recently appointed United States general agent of education in Alaska, reports the schools for 1884-'85, as far as organized, in a flourishing condition under missionary supervision.

At Sitka, in the summer of 1884, the board of home missions of the Presbyterian Church secured a contract from the Commissioner of Indian Affairs for the enlargement of the native training and industrial school.

In September, 1884, the girls' industrial school at Fort Wrangell, with its 2 teachers, was removed to Sitka and consolidated with this school. Buildings were erected in the autumn and winter of 1884 to replace those burned the year previous. Central Hall, a 2 story frame building, 130 by 50 feet, contains school-rooms, kitchen, dining-rooms, sewing-rooms, giris' dormitory, teachers' rooms, etc., occupied in January, 1885. On the completion of other buildings regular instruction was begun in carpentry and woodwork. Over 100 children were in the boarding department.

At Haines, 200 miles north of Sitka, an industrial school is reported with 25 to 30 boarding pupils and 75 day scholars, under 3 instructors.

The Hoonah Mission, 130 miles north of Sitka, had an attendance, during the winter of 1884, of 69 boys, 76 girls, and 74 adults, making a total of 219, under 2 instructors. The school at Jackson, 533 miles south of Sitka, reported an attendance of 100 pupils. All the above schools are supported by Presbyterian missions.

At Fort Wrangell a small industrial school for boys is maintained by Mrs. S. Hall Young, from whom no statistics have been received.

No statistical report has been received from the Seal Islands, where the Alaska Company has schools, which their contract with the Government requires them to support.

PUBLIC SCHOOLS.

On March 2, 1885, the Secretary of the Interior assigned the duty of making provision for the education of children in Alaska to the United States Commissioner of Education. Although this act was too late to be available for the school year now closed, it promises an enlargement of school operations during 1886. This new work will require not only additional teachers, but also school buildings, furniture, books, etc., necessitating an increased appropriation.

As nearly as can be ascertained from the United States census of 1880, there are about 11,000 children of schoolable age in Alaska. This is, probably, under the real number, but is far in excess of any possible enrollment.

CHIEF SCHOOL OFFICER.

DR. SHELDON JACKSON, general agent of education, Sitka.

[Appointed April 10, 1885.]