The Emporia weekly news. [volume] (Emporia, Kan.) 1881-1889, 1884-10-16
EDUCATIONAL STATISTICS.

vast territory and through 90 many IN
strumentAlities. covering, Is IL does, the
year closing June 80, 1883. In this re-
spect the report under review has made
decided gain oyer lis predecessors,
made possible, we are informed. by the
fact that larger number than usual Of
educational systems and institutions
have been able 70 bring their reports up
10 date.
Little space is given In the report to Q
statement Of the general work Of the Of
nee aside from the summary of educa-
tional data which is prepared annually,
as anything like full statement of such
general work would require more space
than the commissioner hes at bis dis
posal. The communications sent out
numbered 3O,745, and those received g.
975. The documents distributed num-
bered 1923 SOP. and were usually mailed
IN separate Packsges. One document
was askea for by rs many rs ten thOus-
and persons. The distribution Of doc1,-
ments has favorably afTectrd many edu-
caIiOnal methods and appliances. The
teacheis' institutes have been much
more freely supplied tnen before. Cir
culars and bulletins were sent Ia 400 in
stitutes, held in twentY-thIee different
states. Seventy eight of these Ieachers'
gatherings in single slate were furni h.
ed these publications
An abstract # some OF the statistics
contained In this Tep0rt will prove both
interesting aud suggestive. indicating, as
they do, a very encouraging degree Of
educational progress throughout the
Union, yet pointing out the lines of
weakness in cur educational system,
which can only be strengthened through
action based on careful observation OF
just such facts as are collected Ia thIs
report
Table shows . total school pOpula-
ton In the states and territories of over
100000, more than 1900, 900 being
enrolled 10 public schools; the sum of
those in average attendance In each state
being 100000, under about 200, 900
teachers; the whole public school expen-
diture amounting to over $91. O0O, OO0
during the year; an increase over the
figures of the preceding year of about
364. 600 in school population, of more
than 153, 600 IN public school enrolment,
and OF nearly 454 ,OOo in average attend
ance. Adding the reported attendance
in private schools eighteen states and
two territories falling to report gives
over half q million more, making TO-
5S7 200 pupils under instruction during
the year. This lie twenty-one per cent
Of the entire population ss given IN the
United States census Of 1880, and about
sixty, five per cent Of the youth Of legal
school age. This age, however, it must
be remembered, differs greatly in the
several states, embracing the population
4-21 In the most comprehensive cases,
and 8-14 in the least, and such diversity
makes It difficult TO arrive at satisfactory
conclusions. In most states the age in
cludes q larger number than would be
embraced in the average period Of school
attendance.
The number OF public school teachers
reported Is, for the states, 20O,O2S; tor 8
territories, 3, 1855; total, 300, 294, being an
increase OF Abs over the number re-
ported in the year 1881. The sex of
teachers is not reported from Georgia,
Maine, Mississippi and Idaho Territory !;
so far as the figures are given, the num-
Der of men is 106, 676, and of women 1885,
FOG. Both numbersAhow increase over the
same for 1881, but the proportion OF VO-
men is greater than ct the last report.
Even in the frontier states, the relative
number of women engaged in teaching
is rapidly increasing.
There Is an upward movement in
teachers salaries, 10 states showing an
increase in the average salaries for both
sexes; 4, VIZ, Massachusetts, Oregon,
Pennsylvania and South Carolina, In
crease for men but not for women; and
West Virginia, increase in salaries for
women only.
There was an increase during the year
of more than $4,000. 600 in public school
income and expenditure, of nearly 81
100000, it is estimated, IN the value of
public school property, and of 5000 900
In the amount of permanent state school
funds, $500, 900 of this increase being
made up In Kansas. In per capita ex-
penditure for public schools Massachu-
sets stands first, Alabama last, the form
er state expanding $3.50 for each pupil
eurolIedt the latter % 81. Local taxes
are the main support Of the public
schools in q majority of the states, q con-
ditiOn that seems essential to q prOgres-
sive, efficient system of free schools, and
the figures show increase in the amount
realized from this source IN 20 states.
The favorable view of the public schools
presented in the statistics Is confirmed
by the verbal reports Of superintendents
and other officials. and sccOrds with the
impression the commissioner received
from personal observation in various
parts of the country. Progress is not
limited to the increase of scholars,
teachers, funds, ETC., but appears in the
organization of the school systems. in
the greater efficiency of the work carried
on in the schools, and, what Is still more
important, in deeper and more intelli-
gent interest on the part of the people.
Everywhere there is evidence Of clearer
understanding of the purposes Of the
schools, Of their relation TO our civil
rights and liberties, aud q reader dispO-
sitIOn 70 adopt measures for their sup
port ana improvement.