The Worcester spy. [volume] (Worcester, Mass.) 1898-1904, 1899-01-19
$l4.9O

| rtary' laboratory and teaching appli-
anceS. Some of the later high school
buildings are superbly planned and
furnished
Cost of high schooIs-Separate re-
turns for high school expenditures are
not made to the state. Such expendi-
lures can be determined, however. with
close approximation, by indirect meth
obs. Thus, in 1896 the average munich
pal tax of the state was $16.23 on a
! thousand dollars, of which sum. if ex-
penditures for buildings are excluded.
1870 went to all the public schools and
90 cents of the s2,95 to high schools.
Academies that practically serve as
high schools-There are rs academies
or schools, all under the primary con-
troll OF trustees. that nevertheless offer
free tuition to the pupils of the towns
where they are established Towns
appropriate money towards the ex-
penses of Is of these schools, either
under the academy tuition act Chapter
a. acts Of 1880, or because they have
been granted educational control by
the trustees, or because they deem it
eXpedlent to do so, no one Directing, In
IL only of these academies are text
DOCKS free to the pupils of the town.
Evening schools-lwo hundred and
TOUR evening schools have been main
tanned during the year-147 elementary
schools, high schools, A drawing
schools, cooking schools and mis-
cellaneous" The number Of evening
schools, if the single classroom is taxi
en- as the unit for counting, was TAO.
These schools had 1862 teachers-9O less
than the preceding year: 32418 pupils
26iS more than the preceding year; an
average attendance Of 1914, or 50 per
cent; and cost $19S, 666.43 or $6.11 per
pupil, as against 1924 the preceding
year.
supervision by superintendent of
sehoois-The number of superintend-
ents of schools is 1863, as against 1854 the
year before; of towns without superin-
tendents, 81, as against 80 the year be-
fore. One hundred and five more
teachers than last year are now under
supervision, and 4526 more pupils. Only
. per cent of the children in the public
schools are now without the watchful
care of a superintendent. A policy that
has extended in a voluntary way to 90
per cent Of the children of the state
bears impressive witness to the value
which the public puts upon it.
Private schoois-Four hundred and
eighteen private schools were reported,
the same number as the preceding year.
With 13,47O pupils-an increase Of 1852.
Boston shows a gain of 1880 pupils; the
rest of the state, a loss of pupils OF
the private schools, So are Incorporated
academies, with 5S17 pupiIs-an increase
CT 399. In 1887. child in attended a.
private school; in 1867, child in IA; in
1885 child in Z. The ratio has fuctu-
ated between 1 to and to rs for the
past 10 years.
Cost of the public schools-The state
valuation for 1897 was 50, 702, 1926, 054. The
amount expended for wages of teach
ers. fuel care of rooms and transporta-
ton of children was $40 on each thou
sand dollars of this valuation, or S.
2S2, 320.12-an Increase over the proceed
ing year of $555, 504.64 The grand total
expended on the public schools for all
| purposes, reaches 1853 649. GO, which is
Sl.2t3,Oll.n more than the total of last
| year.
The outlook-The public schools in
| the main, are in good condition. This
condition is subject to exceptions that
are inevitable in SO vast a system. adj
ministered as it is, in 1853 district sec
TONS by 1853 school boards, that. how
ever competent and progressive. must
| nevertheless defer TO an endless yarie-
| ty OF conditions in their respective con-
stltuencies. IL, however, there are ex-
cept1ons on the side of mediocrity or
worse, they are far outnumbered by ex
ceplons on the side of conspicuous ex-
cellence. ca
IL is certain that school buildings are
EanlnS in fitness for their purpose and
~ beauty as well, that teachers are
preparing themselves better for their
tt u, tuat superintendents are making
on',. felt for good, that
eoufSes Oh study are becoming more