New-York tribune., 1900-04-16
SCHOOLS OF THE STATE.
WHAT SUPERINTENDENT SKINNER SETS
FORTH IN HIS ANNUAL REPORT

Albany April 15.-The State Superintendent of
Public instruction. Charles R. Skinner in his an
nual report, abstract of which has just been
made public points out the fact that the agitation
for unificaton began January 90 1898 when the
Board of Regents first recommended the transfer
to the university of the apportionment of public
money and control of teachers. and buildings
occupied by the public tax supported schools of
academic grade. and also the examinations for
Cornell scholarships and the State teachers IL
brary
He says that the proposed change would not
throw the school system of the State into the
vortex of politics. for the that the employ
ment of every teacher in the public schools of the
state Is subject entirely to local control the
evying and collecting of every dollar taxes
While the State funds derived from State taxation
unuer all schemes presented have been left subject
to existing statutes. which could not be changed
without action by the Legislature He quotes his
former recommendations in favor clear line OF
demarkation between the work TO be done by the
TWO educational departments OF the State being
the simplest logical solution of existing difficulties.
ana urges that every tax supported school In all
its departments should be under the supervision
OF the Department of Public instruction, leaving
TO the Regents all private educational interests
and the direction of higher institutions of learning
and all library and museum work
In his report the superintendent makes the fol-
lowing recommenda tions:
That the State is not in need of additional normal
schools; that 1T would be of inestmable advantage
courage SG pedagogical departments in all the col
departments
That the time has come when the best interests
OF the States educational work demand that
authority should be given TO the State Superin-
tendent to formulate and enforce course of study
lot an elementary public schools. This course
10 be done in the regular common school branches
as 10 insure TO every pupil completing the common
knowIedee Of aritbmatc ;vengranb @ niIU Pamm9r
American history. he
mon facts OF hygienic physiology, but should leave
TO the local authorities the details of work we'll
as the power to introduce supplementary instruc
To utilize the existing private homes and schools
for the detention of children arrested for truancy
in lieu Of establishing State truant schools.
. naL @ po"el ShouId De given the superintendent
TO annnl school district when in his Judgment
educational conditions require il.
In the school year there were 1869 students in
attendance at the several State Normal schools
with an average daily attendance of S025. Diplomas
issued to LILO graduates, making a total of
1855 since the opening Of the first State Normal
School.
Five years ago there were only IO4 kindergarten
teachers in the public schools of the State, with
3305 pupils. In June last there 440 teachers,
with 1900 pupils.
In the last school year 90 200 children were ar
rested for truancy. OF whom 1922 were committed
truant schools. and 61S parents were prosecuted
for illegal detention of their children from school,
Arbor Day and 1857 trees planted. In eleven
years PA ST. trees have been planted on Arbor Day
Several cities and villages of the State have by
municipal authority adopted the curfew ordinance
and the following towns report astonishing results
under the operation of the ordinances: Penn Yam.
Hammondsport. Painted Post, Hornellsville. Ge
neva. Waverly. Attica WayIand, Corning Friend
ship Elmira and WeilSville
The Superintendent says it is gratifying 10 note
that the first statue erected in the Capitol is in
memory Of educator, DR.. W. Austin Sheldon.
erected by the school children of the State.
The total expenditure for all school purposes for
year ending July 81. 1899 SIS 052. 800 de-
crease 1922 8Sl from that of the previous year;
for teachers salaries $l64s4.6i7. an increase Of
teachers employed. 33, ,ss2 an increase Of 919.
The number Of children of school age enrolled IN
the public schools 1,17933l, increase OF 1881
the preceding year. OF all the number en-
rolled 72O 5S2 in the cities increase OF 2S9S9
and 45S.S19 in the towns decrease OF 1859.
The average daily attendance for the State was
S49, ,420 an increase of BITS.