New-York tribune., 1896-02-06
CHANGES IN THE SCHOOL LAW.
THE SCHOOL. AGE TO BE REDUCED-1l1GHER
STANDARD FOR COMMISSIONERS.

Albany Feb. 5-Therc has been prepared In the
office OF the State Superintendent of Pubic IN
structon and introduced into the Assembly a Dill
amending the Consolidated School law in many
important respects The Following are the prh-
cipal changes:
Section 13 of Article Of Title is amended by
changing the school age from twenty-one TO eigh-
teen years and also by reducing the minimum age
from five TO four years far as II applies to those
who are actually attending any free kindergarten
school legally established. Few students are IN
attendance upon the common schools after they
arrive at the of eighteen years and there seems
to be no longer any sufficient reason for retaining
twenty-one as the limit Of school age. The DILL
however, provides that the schools shail be Tree
10 all pupils residing in the various districts OF the
State, until they arrive at the age OF twentN-ohe
years.
Section 9 of Title Is amended by providing that
any School Commissioner may dissolve one or more
districts and from the territory organize new
district may unite portion OF such territory 10
any existing adjoining district. The enlargement
Of the powers of School Commissioners in this re-
spect It Is hoped will stimulate the consolidation
of many weak districts. thereby creating fewer
districts the schools In which will be better
Section 3S Of Title Is amended by providing that
no person shall be deemed qualified as teacher
who Is under the age of eighteen years. the limit
now being sixteen years
Section Al of Title Is amended by providing that
n trustee cannot contract with any teacher whose
certificate Of qualification shall not cover period
at least as long as that covered by the contract
OF service.
one Of the most important amendments Is mat
proposed 10 Section IA Of Title 15 that school
district may contract for the education Of s pupils
with any city village adjoining union Tree
school district still retaining rs district quota
School districts are also empowered 20 expen1 their
money I'm defrayng he expenses OF conveying theli
pupils 10 sut schools. II is expected that under
the provisions OF this bill many weak districts VIII
provl. for the education of their pupils at pubhc
expense In adjoining districts
Section l. of Title 10 Is amended by empower
ing any school district in the state 10 estaDiish
free kindergarten which children four years ola or
inward NAV attend and be counted part OF the
attendance upon which the public money IL appor-
toned. 1t is proposed by another OF these anehl-
m, ns 10 establish three summer institutes for the
training OF teachers. which shall be free 10 an
teachers or those fitting themselves for teaching IN
the State. .
by fur she most important amendment Is that pro-
School Commissioner who does not possess one al
least Of the following qualifications; FIRST; graz
uate Of some college university; second, gTadu
ate OF a normal school third. holding state GER
tifcate fourth, holding irstgrade cerincate under
the uniform system Of examinations; fifth. holding
class. = ,oo, ,,s 80.
The Compulsory Education law Of iS9s did not
provide for the appointment OF truan' officers IN
common school districts In thousands or cases thiS
defect has been serious hindrance 10 the proper
enforcement of this law. An amendment has been
presented which provides that III" town boards may
nppont truant officers outside OF the cities ana VII
aees In the State and fix their compensation