VERMONT.

The full reports from this State are biennial, and 1884-'85 is therefore only partially presented. From this cause perhaps 1,085 less children than in 1883-'84 are reported as enrolled in public schools, and average time of school appears a little shorter, but 10 more schools are presented, and average daily attendance in all the public schools of the State was 1,424 greater. Pay of male teachers was somewhat diminished, but that of females was correspondingly increased; the total expenditure for all school purposes was $20,922 greater than that of the preceding year. From educational papers it is understood that the voting on the abolition of the old school districts with a view to the adoption of a general town system was still going on, with increasing prospect of eventually reaching on this point the position of Massachusetts and New Hampshire.

MASSACHUSETTS.

With 343,810 children of school age (5-15) this State enrolled 339,714, a noble showing, though a decrease for the year of over 2,000. The average membership, however, increased by nearly 5,000, and the average attendance by 5,787, raising the ratio of average attendance based on membership to 90 per cent. The increased demand for instruction was met by the establishment of 89 new schools, and about $518,000 more was expended on all than during the previous year, much of this, however, being due to the operation of the free text-book law. There was a gain of 152 in the number of normal graduates employed, and of 122 in teachers that had attended normal schools; but, on the other hand, about 1,300 more teachers were employed during the year than the number necessary to supply the schools, showing too many changes in the corps to be consistent with the welfare of the schools. There was, however, an improvement in all the equipments for teaching, such as school-houses and apparatus; a better supply of dictionaries; free text-books furnished; supplementary reading matter introduced; and better provision made for truants. Discipline, too, was greatly improved, the theory of compulsion having largely given way to that of a healthy stimulation. Evening schools increased in number, enrollment, and attendance. High schools had an increased attendance, and a number of new and elegant buildings were erected for them.

RHODE ISLAND.

The figures from this State show advance in all important respects. With about 60,000 children of legal school age (5–15), nearly 48,000, or about 80 per cent., were enrolled in public schools, the average belonging being 35,269, and the average daily attendance 31,743, an increase for the year of 1,289 in school population, of 2,349 in enrollment, of 1,147 in the average number belonging, and of 996 in average daily attendance, besides a greater attendance on evening schools and on private schools. Thirty-one more graded schools were taught, though the whole increase for the year in all day schools sustained was only 32. Eight more teachers were from normal schools, while only 16 more teachers than in the previous year were employed; their average monthly pay increased slightly, and the whole amount expended on public schools was more than $100,000 greater, while public school property was reported worth $127,850 more than in 1883-'84.

CONNECTICUT.

Encouraging advance during 1881-'85 is shown by the statistics from this State. About 151,000 children of school age (4-16) are reported, of whom 125,718, or 83 per cent., were enrolled in public schools, besides 14,480 in other schools, showing that nearly 93 per cent. of the school population were in school during some portion of the year. An increase of 468 is reported in the children of school age, while the increase in the number enrolled in public schools was five times as great, the average attendance also increasing. Nineteen new school-houses were built, providing 2,247 more sittings. More teachers were continued in the same school, and fewer having no experience were employed, the average pay remaining about the same. The whole amount

expended on the schools was nearly $75,000 more than the previous year. Still it is admitted that the people are not getting all they should from this expenditure; that there are too many incompetent teachers, and too many school-houses unfit for use and imperfectly supplied with apparatus.

MIDDLE ATLANTIC STATES-NEW YORK.

Continuous advance, not fully proportioned to the greatness of the State, but absolutely large, is presented here almost throughout. Though multitudes of country districts with old and poor arrangements for instruction still made little progress in effective schooling, the enrollment in all public schools was 24,788 greater than in 1893-'84, exceeding by 6,620 the increase in youth of age for school instruction, while average attendance in like schools was 14,859 greater than the year before. These would seem largo advances in a smaller State, but here are dwarfed to small percentages by the very greatness of the field. Taking into the account of school attendance the whole additional number in private or church schools, in academies, normal schools, colleges, and special schools, there appears a total under some form of instruction very nearly up to the whole number of healthy youth, the cost of such instruction for the year reaching nearly $14,000,000.

NEW JERSEY.

Although State school machinery was considerably hindered in its working by a fire at the Hate house in 1884, a full report for 1883-'84 and 1884-'85 is presented by Superintendent E. O. Chapman, which shows in the 2 years an advance at almost all important points beyond the showing of the two preceding years, though here and there appears a slight decline. In the latter of the 2 years, out of 10,256 new school youth, 6,7% were enrolled in the free schools, and 9,087 more than in 1883-'84 were in average daily attendance in such schools, while the number in private and church schools fell off by 459. With 10 fewer State school buildings, there were yet sittings for 6,939 more pupils, 27 of the buildings being newly built and very good; $29,709 more were spent for public schools, and valuation of State school property went $482,119 higher than the your belbre,

PENNSYLVANIA.

The fact that in this State a school census is taken only once in a decade so impairs the value of the percentages based on it that these are omitted from the present brief review. The absoluto numbers reported as enrolled and in average attendance daily in Ntate schools in 1981 85 were, for the former, 16,119 greater, and for the latter 21,450 greater, than in 183 81, while private and parish schools presented 11,957 fewer attend ants, indicating a continuance of the drift that has long been sweeping the great body of the children into the better officered, better furnished, and generally better taught free schools. The expenditure for these schools was increased by $254,767 in the year, and the valuation of all State school property by $728,348; but the old school districts, great hindrances to progress, still held their place in the State system, and even somewhat increased, while in theso districts were 335 more schools, only 14 of the additional ones being graded. Districts with school libraries were, however, more numerous by 380, perhaps from the spread of teachers' reading circles; and teachers, as a whole, were increased by 400 in the public schools, those in private and church schools falling off by more than twice that number; but public school teachers with 5 years or more experience and teachers trained in the State normal schools fell off also considerably and unaccountably. The record of the year is in many points a very good one; but it has, as may be seen, drawbacks that still call for remedy.

DELAWARE.

The reports from this State are published only biennially, covering apparently the calendar years, and none for 1885 and 1886 can be expected before some time in 1887. The figures for 1883 and 1884, given in the last Report from this Office, must therefore stand for at least another year.

MARYLAND.

The figures here show an increase of 6,000 in the number of pupils enrolled in public schools, and of 6,477 in average daily attendance, the per cent. of the latter to the former being 1.95 more. There were 7 more schools for the colored race, 1,363 more pupils enrolled in them, and 1,818 more in average daily attendance. The whole number of schools taught in the State decreased by 7, but the average term for the State was 16 days longer. The average monthly pay of teachers increased by $1.33, the whole amount paid them being about $32,000 more than for the previous year, although the amount expended for all public school purposes ($1,745,258) was not quite $25,000 more than in 1883-84. The State is, however, evidently steadily awakening to a sense of its need of better and more effective school work.

VIRGINIA.

The statistics of this State show a progress in education that is very gratifying. There were 15,313 more pupils enrolled in the State free schools, and 13,100 more were in average daily attendance in 1884-'85 than in the preceding year. The public schools in which they were thus enrolled were more numerous by 225; the school-houses owned by districts, 293 more; the teachers employed, 222 more, with fairly larger pay than previously, men getting about 68 cents more a month and women 49 cents more. There was an increase in public school expenditure of $102,995, and one of $226,822 in valuation of public school property. A new State normal school was established, under the excellent supervision of ex-Superintendent Ruffner.

SOUTH ATLANTIC STATES-NORTH CAROLINA.

A partial report for 1885 from this advancing State indicates progress at almost every point: 14,723 more youth of school age (6-21); 13,850 more of such youth in public schools, and 12,583 more in average attendance; while school districts increased by 217, and school-houses by 214; the average school term going up from 58 days in 1884 to 62 days in 1835, and the value of public school property from $483,092 to $565,960, an increase of $32,869. Could the figures of the graded schools established in several of the larger towns and cities have been included, these statistics would have presented a still better aspect, and it seems only fair that the State should be able to obtain full information as to the whole school system it is fostering.

SOUTH CAROLINA.

The advance presented here at some points is broken by sad gaps in others. With nearly 300,000 school youth to draw upon in 1884-'85, only 178,023 were enrolled in public schools, a falling off from the preceding year of 7,596, while average school term was shortened by 10 days and the number of public school-houses by 20. School-houses owned by districts were fewer by 75, and school-houses built during the year fewer by 17, though these last appear to have been more valuable by $5,353 than those built in 1883-84. Much of all this is evidently due to insufficiency of funds to provide fairly for public schools, and to the fact that these funds are not available in the school year for which they are designed. This leads to brokerage of the certificates of school dues that are given teachers in the place of present pay, and the brokerage so cuts down the pay that from 10 to 25 per cent. of it is lost. With such losses steadily occurring, and no remedy for them, in the shape of either prompt pay or fuller revenue, discouragement and ill success is natural.

GEORGIA.

No statistics of the Georgia school system, except as respects the schools of the chief cities, are available for 1885. These show, at Atlanta, a small increase of enrollment in the public schools, with an average attendance of 95 per cent. of the enrolled, and a pressure for more room and means; at Augusta, a decline in public school enrollment

and in teachers, but a continuance of special teaching of penmanship in all the grades of schools for whites, and a school term of 177 days; at Columbus, a school session of 188 days, with drawing, penmanship, and music in the course; at Macon, a falling off in enroliment and average attendance, and very many children out of school; at Savannah, a more than usually satisfactory progress on the part of pupils, but much need of greater room for pupils in the lower grades.

FLORIDA.

With no reported increase in the youth of school age here, there was one of 4,016 in the enrollment of pupils in State schools and of 9,969 in average daily attendance in them, the schools increasing by 220, the teachers in them by 217, and the amount expended by the State for the instruction given going $163,806 beyond the expenditure of the year before. These are clear evidences of a new and active educational life, which is shown also in well-attended teachers' institutes, in the institution of a teachers' reading circle, and in a clearly demonstrated interest in the improvement of the deaf and dumb.

GULF STATES-ALABAMA.

With only 649 additional school youth in 1884-'85, this State presents an increase of 18,331 in pupils enrolled in public schools, of 10,162 in average attendance, of 8 in school districts, of 173 in the number of public schools, of 210 in teachers for them, of $1.84 in the average annual pay of teachers, and of $16,223 in expenditure for the schools under the State system. These figures indicate an educational awakening, that has drawn in very many children not previously enrolled, and which, having thus brought them under instruction, has held them to their studies in a very fair degree. Alabama, indeed, appears to be fast pressing towards a leadership in the educational progress of the South.

MISSISSIPPI.

This State, reporting for 1884, shows advance in most points on the figures for 1883, such as 12,024 more enrolled in public schools, 29,958 more in average attendance, the per cent. of this attendance to enrollment going 8.23 beyond that of the preceding year, while teachers were more numerous by 405 and expenditure for the free schools greater by $68,444. The legislature in 1884 provided also, for that year and the next, the usual appropriations to the different State institutions, and for the establishment of "an industrial institute and college for white girls," in which such girls may acquire a thorough normal training, with a knowledge of kindergartening, telegraphy, stenography, photography, drawing, painting, designing, engraving, book-keeping, and household industries.

LOUISIANA.

The reported number of youth of school age has not changed here for several years, but youth of that age (6-18) in public schools increased by 18,917 in 1885, with an increase also of 12,997 in average attendance, of 35 in the number of public schools, of 117 in teachers employed for them, with large increase in other teachers, apparently through more searching inquiry after them. A State normal school at Natchitoches, provided for in 1884, was organized in October of that year, and another at New Orleans had the foundations of a promising normal work laid for it. The faculty of the former will bring a new life into the institutes held in the State; that of the latter will probably do some like good in the chief city, where Tulane and other universities are laboring efficiently for the promotion of higher education.

TEXAS.

Although in 1883-'84 reports came in from only a part of the 166 counties in this great State, and although school age in 1884-'85 was extended by 2 years, giving opportunities for free schooling to a considerably larger number, the figures received for the latter year present an apparently great decline in children of school age, in enrollment of such

children in the State schools, in school communities organized, and in the schools maintained. Later information from counties, communities, and cities slow in presenting their reports may change this disappointing aspect of school affairs; but as far as can be seen from figures presented by State Superintendent Baker in the Texas School Journal of May, 1886, the above is the seeming outcome of the year.

SOUTHERN CENTRAL STATES-ARKANSAS.

No statistics of the Arkansas school system for 1884-'85 have reached the Bureau of Education up to the time at which this matter goes to press. The State has therefore to stand upon its record for the years 1882-'83 and 1883-'84, instead of that for the later year, which it was hoped that the Bureau might have material to present.

KANSAS.

With 461,044 youth of school age (5-21) this State reports 335,538 pupils, or nearly 73 per cent., enrolled in public schools, and 194,325, or only about 42 per cent. of the school population, in average daily attendance; the number enrolled was nearly 32,000 more than that reported for 1883-'84, while the average daily attendance was about 13,000 less. Public schools were sustained for at least 3 months by 315 more districts; 214 more school-houses with nearly 600 more rooms were used, and 1,189 more teachers employed. The average monthly pay of women teaching was $2.57 less, and that of men $0.15 more; the whole amount spent for public schools being $505,689 more, and the valuation of public school property $832,163 more, than the previous year.

MISSOURI.

A progressive condition of the public schools, on the whole, is shown by the statistics from this State, although one or two important exceptions to this condition are noted. With about 805,000 youth of school age (6-20) there was an enrollment in public schools of a little over 544,000, or about 67 per cent., an increase for the year of 26,474 in school population, and of 16,695 in the number enrolled. More schools by 107 were taught, 492 more rooms having been provided. An increase in the number of teachers necessary to supply the schools, and a decrease in the number actually employed, has caused a better proportion between these two items, indicating that about 900 fewer changes in the corps were made than during the previous year. An increase also appears in the average monthly pay of teachers. On the other hand, a decrease of 26,135 appears in the average daily attendance, the average school term was 6 days shorter, and $26,563 less were expended for all school purposes. It must be remembered, however, that the report for 1883-'84 included 15 months, and that for the last year only 12, the law having been changed so as to make the school year close in June instead of in April.

KENTUCKY.

In the absence of any late report no public school statistics for 1884-'85 can be given; but the files of the Educational Courant for the year show evidence of continued educational vitality, more especially in the reports of county teachers' institutes held. A note from the State superintendent says that the expenditure per capita for both races would be increased this year by 15 cents over that of 1883-'84.

Important amendments were made to the school law in 1884, among them one providing for the election of county superintendents, the levy of county taxes, and for an increase of the distributable State school fund from $150,000 to $200,000 a year. Indigent and orphan children are to have text-books free of cost, half-time and third-time schools have been provided for, and physiology and hygiene added to the course of study.

TENNESSEE.

The information for 1884-'85 shows that the public schools throughout this State were steadily advancing, both as to interest in them on the part of the people and work done by the teachers and pupils. With 609,028 youth of school age, 373,877, or about 61 pe