The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1894-11-23
Annual Report Of State superinten-
dent of Schools.

From advance sheets furnished the
press the substance of the Annual
Report is gathered. Superintendent
DR.. Schaelfer regards the free text
book law as most progressive step,
holding that it results in increased at
tendance from 20 per cent. in some
places to 80 per cent. in others. The
practical workings of the law are
favorably spoken of by. Superinten-
dents almost without exception. In
but one county did the new act cause
directors to reduce wages and shorten
the term.
The report says that Pennsylvania
does not give her children school
facilities equal to those OF adjacent
States Notwithstanding the magnificent
school appropriations and her mar
velous wealth. More conditions, the
Superintendent holds, should be at
tached to the distribution of the State
appropriations. To ascertain how
many school children are out of
school the Superintendent suggests the
appointment of truant-officers in the
various districts. He also recon-.
mends ar extension if the high-school
system to the township, districts and
also an amendment to the law which
would authorize directors to use a
portion of the annual appropriation
for the purpose of establishing and
maintaining school libraries.
DR.. Schaeffer also commends the
patriotic orders for causing the stars
and stripes to be displayed on school
buildings. But he says in this con-
nectlon that the scholars should be
taught what the flag stands for. Great
care, he holds, should be made in the
selection of teachers as well as in the
selection of school directors.
The report dwells at some length
upon the peril of sectarianism. 1t
says plainly: " 1t is clearly not the
function of the public schools to give
sectarian instruction." and he deplores
the policy which some boards are &C
cused Of tacltly adopting, namely,
the employment only of teachers OF
their own religious faith or political
party or secret society. This, the
Superintendent claims, cannot be too
strongly condemned.
The statistical summary reveals
that there are nov 2,4I3 school dis
tricts in the State; 24,54I schools !;
2,S6o graded schools; I2o superin.
tendents 8,464 male teachers IT,
III female teachers, or 26 24l all
told.
The average salaries of male
teachers is given as S44,I6 per month,
and the pay of females is averaged
at $33 o5 per month. The average
length of school term is months, and
the full number of pupils I,o4o. 6o7.
The average number of pupils in at.
tendance 759,56o.
The cost of school houses, purchas-
ing buildings, renting, etc. $500
SI8,I3; teachers wages, $S,o9S,s4
GO; cost of school text books, ST.
a45,375.73; cost of school supplies
other than text books, including
maps, globes, ETC., not including
Philadelphia, $559,a3S.4a; fuel, con.
tingencies, fees of collectors and all
other expenses, $I,386,97s.39 T.; total
expenditures $IS,s86,7sI.3S; State
appropriation for school year ending
June, 1898, $1,000, 900; estimated
value of school property not including
Philadelphia $4a, 1919, 5o4, A compari-
son with the previous year shows an
increase Of twenty-seven districts,
SAG schools, sos graded schools s6,A
27a pupils and $sa9,9o6.7S in wages