Union County courier. [volume] (Elk Point, Union County, D.T. [S.D.]) 187?-1913, 1897-05-13
OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES
NOTES ABOUT SCHOOLS AND
THEIR MANAGEMENT.
Some Provisions of the Indiana Conn
pulsory Education Law-Devices for
Promoting Good Order In the SCHOOL,
room-Mottocs for Teachers.
Com pu1sOry Education.

AOm pulSOTy EIUuC0tlOus
Indiana Is to try compulsory edu-
cation law next year. The law pro-
vides that all able-bodied pupils be-
tween the ages Of 8 and IA years shall
be required to attend school for the
period Of twelve consecutive weeks in
each school year. They are not linn
tied to the public schools, but may at
tend private or parochial schools.
The provision relating to the ap-
pointment Of the truant officers and
the penalty for not complying with the
law is as follows:
1t shall be the duty Of the County
Superintendent of Schools for township,
and Of the City Superintendent. Of
Schools in a city or town, together with
the secretary of the State Board OF
Charities and one member of the State
Board Of Education designated for
such purpose by said board, to appoint
one or more truant officers, not exceed
Ing five in number in any county, who
shall be assigned to duty by districts
composed Of townships. The truant
officer shall see that the provisions of
this act are complied with, and when
from personal knowledge or by report
or complaint from any resident of the
township or townships under his SD
pervision, he believes that any child
subject to the provisions of this act is
habitually absent from school, he shall
Immediately give written notice to the
parent, guardian or custodian of such
child that the attendance Of such child
at school is required, and if within five
days such parent. guardian or c,lsto-
dian Of child does not comply with the
provisions of this section, then the tru-
ant officer shall make complaint
against such parent. guardian or Gus
todian Of such child, in any court Of
record, for violation Of the provisions
of this act, and any such parent, guard
ian or custodian Of such child who shall
violate the provisions Of this act shall
be adjudged guilty of misdemeanor,
and upon conviction thereof shall be
fined in any sum not less than ten nor
more than fifty dollars, to which may
beaded, in the discretion Of the Court,
Imprisonment in the county Jail not
less than two nor more than ninety
days.
The law also makes provision for
parents, guardians and custodians Of
children who are too poor to furnish
their children with books and neces-
sary clothing.
The school officers may also maintain
a parental home" for incorrigible and
truant children. Any child not being
II years old may be compelled to at
tend this "home" for an indeter1ninate
time not longer than 100 days.
This new law if it can be fully en-
forced will add at least 20 per cent. to
the enrolment Of the schools. The
measure Is in line with the educational
thought Of the day, and while it has it's
defects, it Is the general opinion Of
officers and teachers that it will have a
good effect upon the State. New houses
will have to be built in many places in
order to accommodate the pupils.
Teachers and officers are looking for
ward to next years work, believing
that much good will be accomplished
by the strict enforcement of this new
law.-Richad Park, County Superin-
tendent. Sullivan County, Indiana.