lations, increased by 430 in private schools, and also the same small per cent. of enrolled in average daily attendance. Richmond reports a uniform advance from 1883-84. Having 3 more public schools, it gained 132 in enrollment, 238 in average daily attendance, and 3 in teachers, expending $4,595 more for its 162 public schools, which, under as many teachers, occupied 3 frame and 13 brick school-houses, all suitably located, with 182 well-furnished rooms. All city school property was rated at $301,081. Considering the large portion of school youth in some way employed, the school attendance may be regarded as very creditable. Of the 21,536 school youth, more than 40 per cent. were colored. Leaving out of the account the average one-third over 16 years of age, and adding 2,255 in private schools, there remained 3,787 youth of 5-16 out of school. The statistics show that school facilities are about equally enjoyed by both whites and colored. PREPARATION AND QUALIFICATIONS OF TEACHERS. GENERAL STATE REQUIREMENTS. For permission to teach in the public schools of the State persons must present to the proper school officers certificates of qualification from the county or city superintendent in charge of the school that they desire to teach. Examinations for such certificates must be held in the common school studies, and if the applicant desires to teach a school of higher grade there must be an examination corresponding to the grade. STATE NORMAL TRAINING. The State Normal School, at Farmville, was established in 1834 by the legislature expressly for the training and education of white girls to be teachers in the public schools of the State. It aims to be strictly professional in its methods of teaching. The school was in successful operation 8 months during 1884-'85. The plan of the school was to give 2 courses of instruction, elementary and advanced, each covering 2 years, the former fitting teachers for primary, the latter for high schools; but the present income being insufficient for the support of both courses, only the elementary is now taught. The law gives to each city of 5,000 inhabitants and to each county the privilege of sending one or more students, according to the number of its members in the house of delegates, and these State students receive free tuition, but must agree on entering to teach at least 2 years in the public schools of the State after graduation. The Virginia Normal and Collegiate Institute, Petersburg, established by act of legislature for the higher education of colored youth, presents 2 courses, normal and academic, each covering 3 years. A training school is connected with the institute, in which the lower branches are taught, where students who are preparing to teach may apply the methods they have learned under the supervision of their instructors. State students are selected, 1 from each senatorial district and 10 from the State at large. Tuition to such is free, provided they agree to teach in the public schools of the State at least 2 years after graduation. All candidates for admission must be not less than 14 years of age, and must pis satisfactorily an examination in the common school branches. OTHER NORMAL INSTRUCTION. The Hampton Normal and Agricultural Institute, Hampton, for colored and Indian youth, reports for 1884-'85 340 students in its 3-years normal course, 106 in the Indian classes, 207 in the evening school, and 16 in the pastors' class, 6 of the latter number having been counted in other classes. Common school studies are pursued, practice teaching entering into the second and third years, with book-keeping, free-hand drawing, civil government natural philosophy, and ancient history for the senior year. In the industrial department students are taught trades, agriculture, sewing, and housework. The Indian classes study one half of each day, and devote the other half to work; evening classes work 10 hours daily and study 2, while the normal students study 4 days of each week and work 2. For statistics of normal schools reporting, see Table III of the Appendix; for a summary of same, see a corresponding table in the report of the Commissioner preceding. TEACHERS' INSTITUTES. The State makes no provision for institute work, but the agent of the Peabody Fund required that $2,000 of the amount given to the State in 1885 from this fund be devoted to this purpose. The institutes were marked by enthusiasm. The one at Staunton enrolled 648 teachers; at Fredericksburg 256; at Marion, 295; and at the colored institute at Danville, 175. The Virginia Normal and Collegiate Institute held the usual eight weeks' summer normal, with more than 140 teachers present. The superintendent expressed the obligations of the teachers to the trustees of the Peabody Fund, by whose timely aid 1,514 teachers had received most valuable instruction. TEACHERS' READING ASSOCIATIONS. The first Virginia Reading Association was organized at Wytheville, August, 1884, the object being to pursue a course of educational reading extending through two years, to be prescribed by a committee of three. On completion of this course, certificates are given to those who have sustained throughout a creditable standing, to whom a more extended course may be prescribed. Examination questions on books read are sent semiannually to the members of the association, to be answered and returned to the secretary, who keeps a record of the standing of each member as determined by the officers. At the first annual meeting there was a membership of 300, most of whom had read the first two books of the course. The State superintendent expresses surprise at the little attention paid to school literature by a large majority of teachers in the State, and regards these associations as a prime necessity. Many who would read do not know how or where to obtain the right books. The associations not only prescribe a uniform course of reading, but select the books, which can be purchased at largely reduced rates. By the examination questions sent out the minds of the readers are refreshed, and can see immediate results. EDUCATIONAL JOURNALS. The Educational Journal of Virginia, published at Richmond, continues to be the official organ of the department of education, and in 1885 was in its sixteenth volume. The general department was in that year edited by William M. Fox, and the official by Hon. R. R. Farr, State superintendent. The Southern Workman and Hampton School Record is published in the interest of the Hampton Normal and Agricultural Institute, and in 1885 was in its fourteenth volume. SECONDARY INSTRUCTION. PUBLIC HIGH SCHOOLS. The State superintendent reports 9,564 studying the higher branches, of whom 8,222 are whites and 1,342 colored, showing a gain of 972 in the former, of 318 in the latter, and a total gain of 1,290 over 1883-'84. In a list of institutions where public school teachers had been trained are the Lynchburg, Petersburg, Richmond, and Staunton high schools. Besides these are mentioned the private high schools at Kenmore, Piedmont, Lebanon, and the Episcopal High School, near Alexandria, this last being of high grade. Danville and Portsmouth also reported public high schools in 1883-'84. OTHER SECONDARY SCHOOLS. For statistics of private academic schools, preparatory schools, and preparatory depart. ments of colleges reporting, see Tables VI, VII, and IX of the Appendix; for summaries, see the report of the Commissioner preceding. SUPERIOR INSTRUCTION. UNIVERSITIES AND COLLEGES FOR YOUNG MEN. The University of Virginia provides thorough instruction in independent schools, academic, scientific, and professional. The academic or literary department is divided into schools of Latin, Greek, modern languages, English, historical science, and moral philosophy, with graduate courses following, leading to the degrees of B. S., B. Ph., B. A., and M. A. For professional and scientific schools, see proper headings further on. number of students in all the departments of the university in 1884-'85 was 306, under 28 instructors. The Other universities and colleges reporting for 1884-'85 are the Emory and Henry, Randolph Macon, Hampden Sidney, Richmond, and Roanoke Colleges, and Washington and Lee University, all of excellent standing. For full statistics of colleges reporting, 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 information regarding the colleges for this sex, 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 three special scientific schools reporting for 1884-'85 were the Virginia Agricultural and Mechanical College, Blacksburg; the Hampton Normal and Agricultural Institute, Hampton; and the Virginia Military Institute, Lexington. The first named presents technical, scientific, and literary courses of study. Students wishing technical instruction only have a 3-years course arranged for them, culminating in the degree of graduate of agriculture or graduate of mechanics; those wishing the degree of civil or mining engineer take a 4-years course, embracing either agriculture or mechanics, with an additional year of special study for the degree sought, which may be either C. E., M. E., or A. B. Elective studies are provided for those not intending to graduate. The State university, in its scientific department, includes the schools of mathematics, natural philosophy, general and industrial chemistry, analytical and agricultural chemistry, natural history and geology, and practical astronomy, with graduate courses following. Besides these, coming properly under the head of scientific training, are the engineering and agricultural departments, including civil and mining engineering, and the Miller School of Agriculture, Geology, and Botany. Hampton Normal and Agricultural Institute, for colored and Indian youth, offers, in connection with the minor scientific studies, instruction in practical farming and in mechanic arts for men. The young women are trained in the art of bread-making, plain cooking, sewing, and housework. This instruction is continued throughout the entire course. The Virginia Military. Institute receives $30,000 from the State annually, which supplies tuition and board free to State students, and, with the aid of tuition fees and invested funds, supports the faculty. The State cadets are selected from those who are unable to pay their own expenses, and in consideration thereof they are required to teach two years after graduation. The course covers four years, and includes civil and military engineering, surveying, chemistry, mechanics, descriptive geometry, tactics, astronomy, drawing, Latin, modern languages, moral philosophy, drawing, logic, and geology. Special schools of mining and civil engineering and of applied chemistry are provided. General scientific courses of two to four years are found in Washington and Lee University, and in Emory and Henry, Hampden Sidney, Randolph Macon, and Roanoke Colleges. New Market Polytechnic Institute offers 3 years of preparatory study and a 2-years collegiate course. This includes mathematics pure and applied, mensuration, surveying and astronomy, natural and moral science, and metaphysics. 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 given in 3-years courses in Union Theological Seminary, Hampden Sidney College (Southern Presbyterian), and in the Theological Seminary of Virginia, Theological Seminary (Protestant Episcopal). Richmond Institute (Baptist) for colored students, besides a 2-years preparatory and a 3-years academic course, gives 2 years of theological training. Such instruction is also found in the School of Biblical Literature of Randolph Macon College. A pastors' class was organized in the Hampton Institute in October, 1884, to aid colored pastors and other young men in the vicinity who are fitting for the ministry and desire instruction in Biblical studies. The instructors of the class represent 4 different denominations. The regular course of studies covers 3 years, but pastors may avail themselves of any part of it, and no charge is made for tuition. For statistics, see Table XI of the Appendix; for a summary of them, see the report of the Commissioner preceding. LAW.-Legal instruction is given in the University of Virginia, the department comprising 2 schools, one of common, statute, and constitutional law; the other, of international and mercantile law, evidence, and equity. Each school presents a 2-years course, leading to the degree of B. L. The Washington and Lee University, in its school of law and equity, furnishes a 2years course of legal training, but it is so arranged as to render it possible to complete the studies in one session of 9 months. The degree of B. L. is conferred upon graduates. For statistics, see Table XII of the Appendix. MEDICINE.-Medical studies are pursued in the medical department of the State university and the Medical College of Virginia, Richmond. The former, with an annual session of 40 weeks, has a 2-years graded course, but no requirements for admission; the latter has an annual session of 26 weeks, and requires a preliminary education sufficient to justify entrance upon the study of medicine. For statistics, see Table XIII of the Appendix. SPECIAL INSTRUCTION. EDUCATION OF THE DEAF AND DUMB AND THE BLIND. The Virginia Institution for the Education of the Deaf and Dumb and the Blind, Staunton, in 1884-'85 reported 11 deaf and 36 blind pupils. Instruction is given in the common English branches, with articulation, drawing, and oil painting for the deaf, and in higher branches, with vocal and instrumental music, for the blind. The boys are taught trades; the girls sewing, knitting, etc. Total number of deaf mutes admitted since the institution was founded, 570; of blind, 281; average number of years spent, 7; value of school property, $275,000; State appropriation for the year, $35,000. INDUSTRIAL TRAINING. The Miller Manual Labor School for Boys, at Crozet, divides its instruction into 3 departments, primary, intermediate, and academic, the last 2 covering 3 years each. The studies embrace common and higher English, with civil engineering, physics, chemistry, Latin, and the modern languages. Manual labor is made prominent in agriculture, engineering, technical drawing and shop work, electric engineering, bee-culture, printing, and working in iron. Hampton Normal and Agricultural Institute for colored and Indian youth, before noted, furnishes industrial training for boys in nearly all the useful employments, including farming, engineering, and horticulture; while the girls are taught sewing, knitting, nursing, cooking, laundrying, and general housework. EDUCATIONAL CONVENTIONS. CONFERENCE OF SUPERINTENDENTS AND PRINCIPALS, The conference of superintendents and principals of high schools held its third annual meeting at Richmond February 10-13, 1885, with Superintendent R. R. Farr in the chair. There were 80 superintendents present during the meeting, 70 of whom were at the opening session. At the close of the addresses of welcome and reply, General Armstrong, of the Hampton Institute, delivered an address on the "Education of Indians," after which Prof. George E. Little, of Washington, D. C., entertained the conference with a blackboard exercise in drawing. Among the other subjects brought forward for discussion were "Examination of teachers," 66 County superintendents, the life of a State school system," "Technical training in public schools," "County institutes," "The teacher and the teaching for public schools,""How to obtain pure air in the schoolroom," "Powers and duties of school superintendents with reference to the proper administration of school laws," "School supervision," "Aims and purposes of normal schools," "Duties of school trustees," "How conflicts between superintendents and district trustees are to be avoided," "Educational tendencies of the present time," "Rights and obligations of school teachers under the law," "Should the standard of professional certificates be raised and made uniform?" "Evening schools for mechanics," and "How text books should be used." Among the resolutions adopted by the conference was one indorsing the objects of the Virginia Teachers' Reading Circle, and of the Teachers' Literary Circle, and promising them cordial support. At the closing session of the conference the superintendents manifested their appreciation of the earnest labors of State Superintendent R. R. Farr in behalf of the public school interests by presenting him with a beautiful silver tea service and a handsome ebony gold-headed cane. In closing his remarks Hon. W. H. Ruffner referred to this manifestation of the superintendents towards their chief officer, and said that it was pleasing to see the cordial relations existing between them and the State superintendent, and that their expression of esteem and confidence was a just tribute to a faithful officer. The actual work of the public schools of the State was on exhibition at the conference. This was a new feature and excited general interest among the superintendents, teachers, and pupils. The senate chamber, in which the work was displayed, proved entirely inadequate for the purpose. The exhibition embraced maps of States, countries, counties, and districts; drawings of school buildings; diagrams on grammar, arithmetic, and Latin: literature charts, essays, specimens of penmanship, examination papers, Distories of the public schools, specimens of needle-work, etc. Eighty-three counties were represented, and all but one of the cities. CHIEF STATE SCHOOL OFFICER. HON. RICHARD R. FARR, State superintendent of public instruction, Richmond [Term, March 15, 1882, to March 15, 1886.] (From reports and returns of Hon. Bernard L. Butcher, State superintendent of free STATE SCHOOL SYSTEM. ADMINISTRATION. A State superintendent of free schools, elected quadrennially by the people, has gen- |
