The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1891-11-01
The school. of the United States.


The Schools of the United states.
The publication Of summary of educa-
tionai statistics by the Census Bureau en-
ables US to get q comprehensive idea OF the
trend OF school growth IN the United states
which former bulletins on the SUBJECT nave
not made clear. From its latest statement we
discover that there are somewhat more than
1900 600 students enrolled IN the schools OF
the country. l2,72s. Az being Ia the public
schools and a ont million and a half 10 pri-
vate and parochial institutions. OF this total
number. three million and half are III the
North Atlantic division of States little less
than two million IN the South Atlantic five
million and a half IN the North Central, two
million and half in the South Central. and
somewhat less than six hundred thousand IN
the Western. The growth OF the pub
lie school enrolment since 1870 has
been greater in proportion than that
OF the countrys population, the per
centage of the enrolment u population
having increased in the decade from 1874 to
20.2k. But the chief point OF interest regard
ing this prOportlOnate growth Is rs failure 10
appear in the Northern States east or the
Mississippi The North Atlantic division of
States includes Name, New hampshire. YER
mont Massachusetts, Rhode Island. COnnec-
tcut, New ork, New Jersey and Pennsyl-
vanla and in none Or these states 10 the per-
centage of enrolment 10 population so great
a. II was in 1850 Indeed, III the three North
ern States OK New England there mas been an
actual decrease IN the public school enroll
ment, so that while in 1850 Maine. New Hamp-
SHIRE and Vermont aggregated 2S5. 7l3
scholars. in $50 they eau show only
265. 100. The population OF these three
Commonwealth has increased but slightly
it is true. and vet 1t has gained
considerably in proportion on the public
schools Even New Ork and PENNSYLVANIA
al fpn Re
only bare growth IN the actual number OF
STUDENT. aud so exhibits percentage losses
IL IS the same IN q great portion Of the North
Central division. viii comprises Ohio. In
diana. Illinois Michigan. Wisconsin. Mime
sofa, iowa, Missouri, North AMI South Ia
kota, Nebraska and Kansas In the per-
centage of enrolment 20 population the hrst
seven of these twelve States drop and the
gains of the last five do not compensate tor
the losses. so that the figures are 23.b5 for
1850 and p 81 for last year On the cOntrarf.
the Southern States make di ereut howlng.
even Delaware. which is classed III the south
ern division. show ny gain from o to11.to.
All Of the eight States ID this list. and the Dis
trict of Columbia show gains. and all OF the
seven States IN the Sout ern Central division
as well. The result is that the general per-
centage OF enrolment TO population IS even
ing up throughout tie country tne North
having formerly been ahead OF the South.
ual growth in the last few years is needed
than this. The ratio n the country at large
is 20 Y per cent. and in the South Atlantic
and South Central divisions respectively It II
49, n and 2l.34. In 1880. with the countrys
ratio at 10 81. these two divisions showed
only 1851 and 1914 per cent. There are
many causes TO account for this proportion
ate decrease in the North and increase at the
South and while it IS by no means the only
one entitleito consideration. the growth Of
the parochlal schools seem to be in large
part responsible for the falling OF al the
North No statistics regarding these
institutions prior 10 1850 are avail
able, Tor their enrolment was made census
INQUIRY for the first time last year but It Is
well known that their recent growth has been
rapid. In the North Atlantic division OF
States they now number z72 0 students, and
in the North central division 3 5S7, while in
the south Atlantic and South Central States
their aggregate enrolment is but o. ,2Ol. and
in the " estern div sion but l6.oDt. Nor are
they wholly Roman Catholic institutions as
is frequently supposed in this portion OF the
country for though in the North Atlantic
States this is practically the case. N the
Norta Central group nearly tlird are Luth-
erau and less Imam two-i birds are Catholic 10
is worth while 10 note that 1t Is IN the older
and more thoroughly settled Sites, generally
speaking that these schO Is have had their
growth. Providence journal.