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PROFESSIONAL.

THEOLOGY.-Five theological schools or departments are reported, viz, Theological Department of St. Vincent's College, Cape Girardeau; Jeremiah Vardeman School of Theology (of William Jewell College); Concordia College Seminary, St. Louis; Evangelical Theological Seminary, Normandy; and the Theological Department of Central Wesleyan College, Warrenton. The first and the last named report courses of study of 4 years. In the theological school of William Jewell College, which is one of 8 constituting the college curriculum, the classes are so arranged that the theological student may carry on both theological and literary studies together, and may graduate in the one class or the other first, as he chooses. Tuition is free to ministerial students. Concordia College, which reports a 3-years course, is supported by the German Evangelical Lutheran Synod, and also gives tuition free. An examination for admission is required of applicants not college graduates in all the above schools, except perhaps the first named, which is silent on this point.

For statistics of theological schools see Table XI of the Appendix, and for a summary see a corresponding table in the report of the Commissioner preceding.

LAW.-Instruction in law is given in departments of the University of Missouri, and in Washington University, the full course of study in each for the degree extending over 2 years of about 7 months each, an examination being required at the end of the junior year, as well as the senior. The school at Washington University, still graduating students after satisfactory completion of the 2-years course, has made arrangements for a third year, which, for the present, is optional, but which it is hoped will be added in a few years to the required course. It is believed that an elevation of the standard of legal instruction is required, and that 3 years is a short enough term for such thorough and comprehensive study as should be required of every one admitted to the bar. Missouri University law school provides a shorter elective course for students not candidates for a degree. A knowledge of book-keeping is considered so essential to a lawyer that the study of it, either at the school or elsewhere, is insisted on before graduation.

For statistics see Table XII of the Appendix, and for a summary see a corresponding table in the report of the Commissioner preceding.

MEDICINE.-The State Board of Health of Missouri, reorganized July 2, 1885, is founded on the same plan and adopts the same standard in its recognition of medical colleges as does the Illinois State Board. Since its reorganization, the Missouri State Board has adopted the policy of issuing certificates only to graduates, believing that the State law allowing them to be given to non-graduates on examination is no longer beneficial and should be repealed.

Medical training was given during the year in 11 schools, viz: Missouri Medical College, St. Louis; St. Louis Medical College; Medical School of the University of the State of Missouri, Columbia; Kansas City Medical College; St. Louis College of Physicians and Surgeons; Northwestern Medical College of St. Joseph; Medical Department of the University of Kansas City; St. Joseph Medical College; and Kansas City Hospital College of Medicine, all "regular" schools, and the Homœopathic Medical College of Missouri, St. Louis, and the American Medical College (eclectic), also there. All the above require of applicants for admission evidence of such education as fits them to pursue the study of medicine, all but two including specifically an acquaintance with elementary physics. Three-years graded courses are provided and recommended by Missouri Medical College, Kansas City Medical College, St. Louis College of Physicians and Surgeons, Medical Department of the University of Kansas City, and St. Joseph Medical College, while at St. Louis Medical College a 3-years course is required. Kansas City Hospital College of Medicine, in addition to its regular course of study, provides a professorship of homeopathy, in which special effort is made to teach the materia medica and its application as thoroughly as may be done in any homeopathic institution. Eclectic medicine will also be taught here by a competent professor.

The above 11 schools enrolled during the year 629 students and graduated 195. Of these matricnlates 573 were "regular," 32 were homeopathic, and 24 eclectic. For full statistics see Table XIII of the Appendix, and for a summary see a corresponding table in the report of the Commissioner preceding.

SPECIAL INSTRUCTION.

TRAINING IN art.

At the State university, Columbia, a school of art covering 3 years has been for some time in operation under a skilled professor. He holds that every student qualified to enter on the university course will make progress in the study of form and art fully commensurate with the efforts to that end which he puts forth, the most faithful student in this, as in any branch of study, always achieving the best results. The university catalogue shows 177 pupils in the art and drawing classes.

At the Washington University School of Fine Arts, St. Louis, instruction is given in drawing, modeling, painting, artistic anatomy, perspective, composition, architectural and mechanical drawing. The teachers in this school, which has now 7 fine studios, are said to have received their training in the art schools of Europe under some of the most celebrated masters, and the means of instruction appear to be ample. Students of 1884-'85, 257.

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In Lewis College, Glasgow, Pritchet School Institute, at the same place, and La Grange College, La Grange, some instruction in art studies also appears.

TRAINING IN MUSIC.

At the Southwest Baptist College, Bolivar; Christian University, Canton; Lewis College and Pritchet School Institute, Glasgow; La Grange College, La Grange; Morrisville College, Morrisville; Sedalia University, Sedalia; Drury College, Springfield; Stewartsville College, Stewartsville; and Central College, Warrenton; as well as at most, if not all, of 16 or 17 institutions for young women that claim collegiate rank, instruction in music is either offered or forms a part of the course. Most prominent among these last is the Mary Institute, St. Louis, a department of Washington University, under the excellent management of which a high order of musical, as of literary training is made accessible.

EDUCATION OF THE DEAF AND DUMB.

The Missouri Institution for the Education of the Deaf and Dumb, Fulton, giving instruction in the ordinary public school studies and in printing, cabinet-making, shoemaking, gardening, and sewing, had 248 under training during 1884-'85, of whom 99 were girls. Since its organization, in 1851, the institution has given instruction to 873 pupils. Five of its graduates have become teachers in similar institutions.

The new building, completed during the period covered by the biennial report for 1883 and 1884, at a cost of over $36,000, is well adapted to its purpose, and large enough to accommodate all who are likely to apply for admission for several years to come. The St. Louis Day School for Deaf-Mutes, sustained by the city board of public schools, had 40 pupils under instruction, 26 boys and 14 girls, and since its organization, in 1878, has enrolled 76.

St. Joseph's Deaf-Mute Institute, Hannibal, under the care of the Roman Catholic Church, reports 22 pupils, 8 boys and 14 girls, under instruction during the year.

EDUCATION OF THE BLIND.

The Missouri School for the 3lind, St. Louis, sends no report for the year 1884-'85; the last statistics received are given in the Appendix, Table XIX.

TRAINING SCHOOL FOR NURSES.

A training school for nurses was opened in St. Louis in April, 1884, and in July, 1835, reported 13 under instruction. Liberal aid in its establishment was received from the Western Sanitary Commission, Dr. W. G. Eliot, and Mr. J. E. Yeatman.

EDUCATIONAL CONVENTIONS.

STATE TEACHERS' ASSOCIATION.

The twenty-fourth annual session of the State Teachers' Association was held June 23d to 25th, at Sweet Springs, where it had met for 4 years previously, and where it is to assemble again in June, 1886. The State superintendent, without giving an account of the proceedings of the convention, says that at these meetings the discussions elicit much thought and furnish valuable information, every phase of educational work being duly considered and impartially discussed.

From another source the information is obtained that better school-houses for the country and smaller towns were called for, and better furniture in whatever schoolhouses were provided for them; that the question of a teacher's right to set an example of smoking, chewing, and drinking was discussed and strongly denied; that "science in the public schools" was warmly advocated as making life more perfect by bringing it into closer approximation to the beauties and benefits of the material world; and that the cultivation of the habit of reading books and newspapers was recommended; one speaker thought novel reading more improving than classic study, and another made a study of the classics the best means of cultivating memory, judgment, reason, and imagination all at once.

The Convention of Colored Teachers, organized at Jefferson City in 1883, held its second annual session at Sedalia during the holidays of 1884, remaining in session 3 days. The attendance was large, about 50 teachers being present. The most interesting discussion was on the need of appropriations from the General Government in aid of education, and a resolution was passed requesting Congressmen to support the Blair educational bill. Other subjects considered were 46 Compulsory education," "Superstition," and "Our boys and girls."

ST. LOUIS SOCIETY OF PEDAGOGY.

The regular meetings of this association, which aims at improvement in the methods and style of teaching, especially in the public schools, are reported to have been held regularly during the school year 1884-'85, with an encouraging attendance of a large number of earnest people. Six able papers are said to have been presented, of which 2 were printed and given a considerable circulation, while the constitution and bylaws were revised with a view to better definition of the aims of the association, and to such an increase of dues as to meet the expenses of correspon 'ence and publication of reports and papers. The report of a cominittee of th association on an improved method of teaching arithmetic is said to have borne rich fruit in a number of schools, while certificates of successful work, given to pupils passing the examination for admission to the high school, have helped to secure more effective efforts to pass these examinations creditably. Under direction of the president the corresponding secretary wrote, during the year, to the superintendents of city schools with over 30,000 inhabitants, presenting the aims of the society and asking for educational documents of interest. In response to these requests 167 reports and circulars of information were received, many of them from the United States Bureau of Education, Washington, all which were filed in the public library, to be catalogued and bound for the use of the public as well as the members of the society.

CHIEF STATE SCHOOL OFFICER.

HON. W. E. COLEMAN, State superintendent of public schools, Jefferson City.

[Term, January 8, 1883, to January, 1887.]

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(From report of Hon. W. W. W. Jones, State superintendent of public instruction, for the school year 1883-'84, and written return from him for 1884-85.)

STATE SCHOOL SYSTEM.

ADMINISTRATION.

A State superintendent of public instruction, elected biennially by the people, has general charge of the public schools, while a board of 6 regents of the State university and a normal school board have control of the interests indicated by their titles. Local school officers are county superintendents of public schools, elected by the people for 2 years, and district boards of 3 trustees elected for 3-years terms. Districts having more than 150 yonth of school age (5-21), if a majority of the voters so decide, may elect boards of 6 trustees for graded and high school instruction. Women 21 years of age resident in the district and owning property or having children to educate, may vote in district meetings. The public schools are free to all youth of 5 to 21 years of age, and they must be taught 9 months of each year in districts having more than 100 pupils, 6 months in those having 35 to 100, and 3 months in those with less than 35. The State funds are apportioned by the State superintendent to the counties in proportion to school population, and by county superintendents to districts, one-fourth equally to the districts, and three-fourths in proportion to the school population therein. Each district director reports annually to the county superintendent, the latter to the State superintendent, and he to the governor. The system of education includes pub

lic high schools, teachers' institutes, a State normal school, a State university, and a reformatory for children. Instruction in all schools aided or supported by public funds must be non-sectarian.

SCHOOL FINANCES.

There is a board composed of various State officers for the management of school lands and funds. The means for the support of the public schools are derived from the income of certain common school funds, comprising such percentage as has been or may be granted by Congress on the sale of lands in the State; moneys arising from the sale or lease of school lands; the proceeds of all lands granted to the State, unless for other purposes distinctly stated; and the proceeds of escheats, fines, and forfeitures. In addition to the income of these funds, a State school tax must be levied of not more than 13 mills on $1 of taxable property, and district taxes not to exceed 2.5 mills on $1.

NEW LEGISLATION.

According to an amendment to the school law made in 1885 the officers elected at the annual school meeting were not to take possession till the second Monday in July, to which time the opening of the school year was changed. Two members were made a quorum for the transaction of business, and meetings held on the call of 2 members were made lawful, if all members should have notice of the time and place of meeting. Approval of a teacher's diploma from the normal school of another State was ordered not to be given till the holder should present proof of successful teaching for a year in Nebraska, accompanied with a first-grade county certificate from a Nebraska county superintendent. Provision was also made for instructing the pupils in all schools under State control, or supported by public money, in physiology and hygiene, with reference to the effects of stimulants and narcotics on the human system, and it was ordered that after the first of January, 1886, no certificate should be given to any teacher that had not passed a satisfactory examination on this point.

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

ADMINISTRATION.

Public schools in incorporated cities with more than 1,500 inhabitants are under the direction of boards of education of 6 or 9 members, according to population, elected on a general ticket for a term of 2 years, one-third of them liable to annual change. These boards elect annually a superintendent of public instruction, who becomes the principal teacher.

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Omaha reports an increase of 835 in school population, of 137 in enrollment, and of 443 in average daily attendance, with 15 more teachers. Two special teachers were employed, one for music, and one for drawing and penmanship. Private schools enrolled 1,800 pupils, leaving 3,129 youth between the ages of 5 and 20 years not under school instruction. Schools were taught 198 days, in 14 buildings, containing 5,634 sittings for study, the seating capacity being less than public school enrollment by 639, but more than the average attendance. Evening schools were taught in 3 rooms with 150 sittings for study, and had an enrollment of 120 boys and 25 girls, under 3 teachers. Average attendance, 60 boys and 15 girls. Public school property was valued at $527,000. The receipts for maintaining public schools were $248,165, which exceeded the expenditures by $31,420.

PREPARATION AND QUALIFICATIONS OF TEACHERS.

GENERAL STATE REQUIREMENTS.

Persons wishing to teach in the public schools must hold certificates, based on examination, either from the State superintendent of public instruction, the superintendent of the county in which it is proposed to teach, the State normal school, or

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