Lawrence reports a public school enrollment of about 70 per cent. of enumeration, a proportion considerably larger than that of the previous year. The law requiring attendance of all children 8 to 14 appears to have been strictly observed, since 43 more pupils between these ages were enrolled than had been enumerated by the school census of 1884. In fact the crowded condition of the schools made it necessary to exclude all children under 6. Nearly the entire corps of teachers employed in the schools during the previous year was retained, a fact which may be at least partly explained by the further one that the teachers' institute, meeting semi-weekly, was very generally attended. Some changes were made in the course of study, and another year was added to it, making the whole course 11 years. Of these the primary grades occupy 5 years, and the grammar and high each 3. In this last the graduating class of 1885 included almost as many boys as girls, the tendency of late having been toward improvement in this respect. A private kindergarten is reported, having an enrollment of about 16 children. The total estimated enrollment in private and parochial schools was 400. Leavenworth, whose population has increased since the last United States census to 29,199, and the assessed valuation of taxable property to over $5,000,000, reports public school property valued at $200,000. Public schools were taught 188 days during the year, a little less than 47 per cent. of the school population being enrolled, but over 82 per cent. of the number enrolled being in average daily attendance. Besides the public school enrollment, there were 1,240 children attending private and parochial schools, making a total of 4,652 under instruction. But little information later than for 1834 has been received from either Atchison or Topeka. A kindergarten is reported from the latter, organized in 1880 and having an attendance of 63 pupils under 3 instructors. PREPARATION AND QUALIFICATIONS OF TEACHERS. STATE REQUIREMENTS. No person may teach in the Kansas public schools without a diploma or certificate from the State board of education; from a county board of examiners, of which the county superintendent is chairman; or from the examining committee of a city board of education, unless graduates of the State normal school or of the normal department of the State university. The diploma of the State board is valid throughout the State during the lifetime of the holder, unless revoked; a diploma from the State normal school has the same force. Certificates of graduation from the normal department of the university authorize the holders to teach in any part of the State. Certificates of the State board are valid for 3 or 5 years, according to grade. Those from county boards are good only in the county in which issued, and for a term of 2 years, 1 year, or 6 months. As stated under "New legislation," preceding, ability to teach physiology and hygiene with reference to the effects of stimulants, narcotics, &c., on the human system, is trom January 1, 1886, required of every person proposing to teach in any of the State public schools, Kansas having been the sixth State to adopt that rule. STATE NORMAL TRAINING. Provision is made in the State normal school, Emporia, and in the University of Kansas, Lawrence, for the free instruction of those who desire to prepare themselves for teaching. The State Normal School presents 4 courses of study: 2 full courses of 4 years each, one of which is entirely English, while the other includes Latin and elementary and ance to school youth, while the proportion of avera creased over 10 per cent. Public schools were sustained for 3 months or mo 1883-84, 214 more school-houses being used and 1.. average pay of women, however, decreased by $2.57 school property increased by over $800,000, and the schools by $505,689. Among the indications of educational activity in organization during the summer of teachers' realing teachers of the State, led by prominent educators Journal, which in May sent out circulars containi spondence. This was accepted, replies being recei elected a State board of 5 directors. These direct adopt a course of study and make other necessary ar. ADMINISTRATIO A State superintendent of public instruction. general supervision of educational interests. The examination of applicants for State diplomas and missioners for the management and investment school affairs are in charge of superintendents el districts have boards of 3 members, elected for Women may vote at school meetings and hold The public system embraces primary, gramm institutes, a State agricultural college, a State · for the deaf and blind. No sectarian teaching ious sect or sects may control any part of the co schools are free to youth 5 to 21 years of age, required to attend at least 12 weeks each year taught elsewhere. Uniformity in text books i at the close of each term to the district clerk clerks report annually to their county superi intendent are quarterly and annual, the S. ture biennially. FINA The public schools are supported from the from United States land grants, with addit: annual fee of $50 from every insurance co district taxes, which must not exceed 1 per for school-house sites, and the same for te NEW L' An Act of March 4, 1885, requires that and hygiene with reference to the effects tem shall be given to all pupils in the S after that date, be granted to any perso has not passed a satisfactory examinatio For new legislation as to school boar SCHOOL SYSTEMS OF CITIES ΑΠ' Cities of the first class, viz, those board of education consisting of 3 me city for 3 years, one of the 3 being class-that is, with from 2,600 to 15 of 2 members from each ward, is, in a new law of 1885, made to consist city without regard to wards, 2 of leaves a class of cities, with from 2 Boards in cities of the first class! not of their own body; those in They also appoint, in cities of the to test the qualifications of person nd having a 4-year course of The following collegiate instituversities, 2 years; and Ottawa last named institution receive te the studies of 3 years receive of 2 years, third grade ones. be held each year by the superweeks; but two or more counties as of the State. NALS. tionist, published at Emporia, and a the interest of the State Agricultural the State. PRUCTION. -CHOOLS. section with the public school system of neral statistical information regarding any of such high schools as may have Sady approved by the regents of the State der certain conditions without examinawere approved by the regents. BY SCHOOLS. dealemic schools, and preparatory schools, and for summaries, see corresponding tables SUPERIOR INSTRUCTION. COLLEGES FOR YOUNG MEN OR FOR BOTH SEXES. The University of Kansas, Lawrence, endowed by the State with 72 sections, or 46,000 acres, of land set apart by Congress in 1-61 for a State university, and receiving from the city of Lawrence the site of Lawrence University and buildings, worth about $180,000, besides annual appropriations from the State, gives free instruction to its students and admits both sexes on equal terms. Of the several departments contemplated in the act of incorporation there are 4 in operation, viz, departments of science, literature, and the arts, of law, of elementary instruction, and of music. A chair of pharmacy was authorized by the legislature of 1885, and during the same year the normal department, which had been in operation, was discontinued by the board of regents, a 2-year course in didactics, systems of education, and practice teaching. coming in place of it. The department of science, literature, and the arts comprises 4 distinct courses, 2 scientific, a classical, and a modern literature course, the first 2 leading to the degree of bachelor of s«ience, the 2 last to that of bachelor of arte. Provision is also made for students not candidates for a degree, who wish to pursue special branches. The other collegiate institutions are St. Benedict's College, Atchison; Baker University, Baldwin City; College of Emporia, Emporia; Highland University, Highland; Lane University, Lecompton; Ottawa University, Ottawa; St. Mary's College, St. Mary's; and Washburn College, Topeka. All except St. Benedict's and St. Mary's admit both sexes; all present classical courses of study, and all but three, scientific courses; four report literary courses, while the same number give instruction in business and make provision for training teachers. The College of Emporia (Presbyterian), now in its second year, has made rapid progress. Beginning with 17 students, nearly 80 in all departments were enrolled in 1834-'85, and the work was rapidly assuming the character of that of a well-organized college. Its collegiate departments (summarized in the above) are classical, philosophical, and literary, the second substituting German for Greek, and the last omitting both Greek and Latin, for which German and French are substituted. Gifts were received during 1884-'85 by Baker University, College of Emporia, Highland University, Ottawa University, and Washburn College, amounting in all to over $148,000, counting that which was pledged and in process of collection. Of this amount the College of Emporia received $35,000 from the city, besides 38 acres of land, and $50,000 from the Presbyterian Synod of Kansas, the purpose being to establish a college of high rank. For statistics of colleges and universities, see Table IX of the Appendix: and for a summary, see a corresponding table in the report of the Commissioner preceding. SUPERIOR INSTRUCTION OF WOMEN. As already stated, 7 of the 9 collegiate institutions above noted are open to young women on the same terms as to young men. The only institution exclusively for women is the College of the Sisters of Bethany, Topeka, sustained by the Protestant Episcopal Church. It offers a collegiate course of 3 years, besides kindergarten, primary, and preparatory departments, and is authorized by law to confer collegiate degrees. Music, vocal and instrumental, drawing, painting, elocution, French, and German all find a place in the curriculum. For statistics, see Table VIII of the Appendix; and for a summary of the same, see a corresponding table in the report of the Commissioner preceding. SCIENTIFIC AND PROFESSIONAL INSTRUCTION. SCIENTIFIC. Instruction in the sciences is given in the University of Kansas and in 6 of the other universities and colleges, as well as in the State Agricultural College. The State university, besides a general scientific and a Latin scientific course, offers to students of either of these at the beginning of the junior year special courses in natural history and physics and chemistry. It has also a 4 year course in civil engineering. The Slate Agricultural College, Manhattan, receives both sexes, and provides parallel courses of study for each, with such differences as their necessities seem to call for, 4 years being required for the degree of bachelor of science. Closely adjusted to the course of study is industrial training in several of the arts, to which each student is required to devote at least one hour a day. Among the different lines of industry offered to the choice of students are farming, gardening, fruit growing, carpentry, cabinetmaking, iron work, printing, or telegraphy for young men; and sewing, printing, teleg raphy, floriculture, or music for young women. Tuition is free, the income of about $35,000 from the endowment meeting all expenses, and the State providing buildings. The farm, comprising 171 acres, is valued, with stock, furniture, etc., at over $50,000, the buildings at $100,000. For statistics of schools of science see Table X of the Appendix; and for a summary, see a corresponding table in the report of the Commissioner preceding. PROFESSIONAL THEOLOGICAL instruction was given in St. Benedict's College (Roman Catholic) in an ecclesiastical course of 2 years, and, at last accounts, also in the Kansas Theological School Topeka (Protestant Episcopal), which, however, sends no report for 1884-85. A ministerial course of 2 years appeared in the catalogue of Lane University, Lecompton (United Brethren), but without note of students in it in 1883-'84. LEGAL training may be obtained in the department of law of the University of Kansas, designed to furnish a complete course of instruction for persons intending to practice at the bar in any State of the Union. All persons entering upon the study are earnestly advised to take first a course of liberal studies. Graduates of literary colleges are admitted without examination; others must satisfy the faculty that they possess such qualifications as will enable them to pursue the course with profit. For statistics, see Table XII of the Appendix. The only MEDICAL school reporting from this State is the medical department of the University of Kansas, Lawrence. The course of instruction embraces 2 terms, each of 20 weeks' duration, annually, making a preparatory medical course which it is claimed is accepted by all the leading colleges of the West as equivalent to the first year of a 3-year course. A chair of PHARMACY has also been established by the regents of the university in accordance with a law passed at a recent session of the State Legislature. SPECIAL INSTRUCTION. EDUCATION OF THE DEAF AND DUMB. The Kansas Institution for the Education of the Deaf and Dumb, Olathe, sustained by the State, gives all pupils from Kansas instruction and maintenance free of charge. Pupils are received generally from 10 to 21 years of age, though children of weak constitutions are advised not to come till they are 12. The course of instruction covers 6 years; but the superintendent may extend it 2 years longer to such as he may believe would be particularly benefited by the additional training. Instruction is given in the common English branches and in various industries, the method used being the manual or sign language and articulation combined. For statistics, see Table XVIII of the Appendix. EDUCATION OF THE BLIND. The Kansas Institution for the Education of the Blind, Wyandotte, gives free instruction to its pupils, admitting all between 10 and 21 who are not incapacitated for useful instruction by physical, mental, or moral infirmity. They are taught the common and some of the higher English branches, music, vocal and instrumental, also the employments of broom and brush making, chair caning, and sewing. Several of the girls have been successfully employed in broom making and caning chairs. For statistics, see Table XIX of the Appendix. REFORMATORY AND INDUSTRIAL TRAINING. The Kansas State Reform School, North Topeka, had 106 boys under training during 1884-85, of whom 94 were white and 12 colored. They were instructed in the common English branches, including vocal music, also in farming, gardening, etc. Established in 1881, the school has since given instruction to 219 boys, of whom only 4 white boys have failed to profit by the training received. An industrial school for the training of Indian youth was established during the year 1884 near Lawrence. The farm, comprising 280 acres in the fertile valley of the Wakarasa, is cultivated by the Indians under the charge of a practical farmer. Industrial training is one of the principal features of the school. Pupils are required to work onehalf of each day, the boys, in addition to farming, being taught blacksmithing, shoemaking, and carpentry; the girls, all kinds of cookery, housekeeping, sewing, etc. In the school the common branches are taught, including music, which is very popular with most, and drawing, in which they show decided ability. Over 300 papils were under training during 1884-85. EDUCATIONAL CONVENTIONS. KANSAS STATE TEACHERS' ASSOCIATION. The twenty-fifth annual session of this association, held in Topeka, December 28-30, 1884, was one of the best attended and most interesting in its history. Among the topics before the convention were "Secondary education in Kansas," by Prof. J. H. Canfield, of the State university, who strongly advocated a system of county high schools; "The duties and methods of teachers;" The duty of the State to encourage the fine arts;" "Musical instruction in the public schools;" "Rural schools;" City schools;" "Primary schools;" "Private schools;" "State normal school;" "Agricultural college;" and "State university." President Sharpe, of the board of regents of the State normal school, in his address on the needs of that institution, favored the concentration of funds on it, rather than the foundation of new schools, a view which was discussed by others, pro and con. Prof. Graham, of Baker university, advocated the study of the classics as a foundation for all higher culture. His position was indorsed by some and opposed by others, the latter including President Fairchild, of the Agricultural College, who afterward gave an address on industrial work in public schools, showing that progress in this, although slow, may be sure, provided those advocating it are judicious and willing to work with small beginnings. The last evening was devoted to five-minute speeches, and after the reading of congratulatory dispatches from associations of other States then holding sessions, the convention adjourned, to meet in Topeka, December 29, 1885. The Southwestern Kansas Teachers Association met at El Dorado, March 27, 1885, about 75 teachers being present. Among the topics discussed were "The no-recess plan,” “Natural science in the public schools," "Written examinations — their importance and how conducted," and "The mission of the teacher in the nation." The plan urged by the first-mentioned paper of having frequent rests in the schools, but no recesses with their opportunities for demoralization, was opposed by five and indorsed by one, out of the six members who engaged in the discussion. CHIEF STATE SCHOOL OFFICER. Hon. J. H. LAWHEAD, State superintendent of public instruction, Topeka. |