Rock Island daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1886-1893, 1889-08-21
INTERESTING TO PARENTS.

The New Compulsory Education Law
and what Its Provisions Archie
Truant Omcer.
The ARGUS has heretofore spoken oil
the new duties that devolve upon
the board OF education In obedience
to the compulsory education act passed
by the last legislature and which wen,
into effect July 1. The board at 1t.
Mondays meeting authorized the super
intendent TO make thorough investiga.
ton and report at the next meeting.
The law is Of so much Importance To
parents and guardians that 1t is pub
lshcd In order that il may he carefully
read and studied
Section 1. BE IL enacted by the peo>
pie Of the state OF Illinois, represented in
the general assembly: That every per-
son having under his control child be-
tween the ages of seven and fourteen
years, shall annually cause such child to
attend for at least sixteen weeks, at least
consecutive. some public day school in
the city. town OF district. in which he
resides. which time shall commence with
the beginning of the first term of the
school year. OF as soon thereafter rs due
notice shall be served upon the per.
son having such control, of his duty I'M
der this act. For every neglect of such
duty. the person offending shall forfeit,
20 the use of public schools of such city
or district, sum not less than one nor
more than thirty dollars, and shall stand
committed until such fine and costs of
suit are paid. But IL the person so ne>
glecting, shall show to the satisfaction of
the board of education or of directors
that such child has attended for like
period of time. q private day school, APP
proved by the board of education or di-
rectors OF the city, town or district in
which such child resides, or that instruc-
ton has otherwise been given for like
period OF time to such child, in
the branches commonly taught IN
the public school; or that such child
has already acquired the branches of
learning taught in the public school; or
that his physical or mental condition. as
declared by competent physician. is
such as to render such attendance mex
pedient and impracticable. then such
penalty shall not he incurred Such fine
shall be paid when collected. to the
school treasurer of such city or township,
To he accounted for by him as other
school money raised for school purposes
But no school shall he regarded as a
school under this act unless there shall be
taught therein In the English language.
reading. writing. arithmetic. history OF
the United States. and geography.
2. II shall be the duty OF the board OF
education in every city and the board Of
school directors in every school district,
To appoint one or more truant officers,
whose duty IL shall he carefully to en-
quire concerning all supposed violations
OF this act. and to enter complaint against
all persons who shall appear to be guilty
OF such violation. 1t shall be the duty
OF said officer to arrest children of
school going age, who habitually haunt
public places, and have no laws
full occupation. and also truant children
who absent themselves from school
without leave, and to place them in
charge of the teacher having charge
OF the public school which the said chill
dren are by law entitled to attend. Aud
It shall be the duty of said teacher to as
sign said children to the proper classes,
and 10 instruct them in such studies as
they are fitted to pursue. Said truant
officers shall have such compensation for
services rendered, under this act, as shall
be determined by the board Of education
OF the board Of directors appointing such
officers, which compensation shall be paid
from the distributable school fund.
3 Any person having control of q
child, who with intent to evade the pro-
visions of this act, shall make willful
false statement concerning to age Of such
child, or the time such child has attended
school, shall, for such offense, forfeit
sum of not less than SO nor more than
$50 for the use Of the public schools of
such city or district.
4. Prosecutions under this act shall be
instituted and carried on by the authors
ties of such boards, and be brought in
the name OF the people OF the state of
Illinois for the use Of the school fund of
said city OF township.
.. Police, municipal courts, Justices OF
the peace, and judges Of the county
court, shall have Jurisdiction within their
respective counties Of the offences de-
-erihed in this act.