Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1901-09-05
THE SCHOOL CENSUS
State Superintendent Barrett Calls
Attention to It's Importance.
HE GIVES VALUABLE INSTRUCTION
Has Issued a Circular Letter to the
County Superintendent Regarding
the Enumeration of Children Be-
tween the Ages of and 81 Years.

Richard C. Barrett, state superin-
tendent of public instruction, has is
sued circular letter to county super
iintendents throughout the state in
lstructing them in regard to the taking
of the annual census or enumeration of
school children. The questions which
would commonly arise in this connec-
ton are answered in the circular, and
valuable information is given the coun-
ity superintendent. The letter is as
follows:
Importance of Work.
The work of taking the annual
enumeration of school children is one
| of so much Importance that we urge
you to leave nothing undone to secure
prompt and accurate returns from eve
| ry district in your county. And we
suggest that you send blanks contains
ing FormNo. "a to the secretaries, and
| to the directors in sub-districts for
their help and guidance in performing
their duty in this matter.
Time in Enumerating.
\ The time for taking the enumera-
ton is fixed by the statute, which
should be strictly followed. Section
| 27S5 says that each director shall, be-
tween the first and tenth days of Sep.
| TENDER in each year, prepare a list of
| the heads of families in his sub-dis-
| trict, the number and sex of all chill
dren of school age. and by the fif-
teenth day of said month report this
list to the secretary of the school
township, who shall make full record
thereof" Section 1854 referring to
the duties of the secretary, says: He
shall, between the first day of Septem-
Der and the third Monday in Septem-
Der of each year, enter in book made
for that purpose, the name, sex and
| age of every person between five and
| twenty-one residing in the corporation,
| together with the name of the parent
or guardian"
Need of Accuracy.
Notwithstanding the necessity for
an accurate enumeration has been
urged from year TO year by this depart
ment we have reason to believe that
THE number reported from many dis.
tricts and counties has not been COR
rect. The federal census of Iowa for
1900 gives 1880 children of school
age, while the school census for the
same year reports but 731, 154. A diff
ference of 36,716 in the two reports is
good evidence thatsome parties have
done careless work, and sufficient
argument that a more accurate count
should be made in September of this
lyear.
Persons Enumerated.
All persons between the ages of five
and twenty-one years who are resi-
dents of district should be included
in the school census for that district.
No exception whatever is made to the
above rule, and to be complete the
list must include the names of all per,
sons of school age, even if married or
temporarily absent to attend school or
engage in other work. To secure
correct list the most careful inquiry
must be made by the party taking the
census, and most thorough examina-
ton of the list must be made by the
board before accepting the report.
Children in State Institutions.
child in one of the charitable or
Ireformatory institutions must be emu
merated in the district in which his
parents reside. But if IN the institl1-
ton to remain permanently, having no
parent or guardian, his residence is in
the district in which the institution is
located, and he should be enumerated
therein. AS long ago as 1867 it was
held, in an opinion given by the attor.
ney general, that children at a state
institution should not be enumerated
in that district for the purpose of
drawing public money unless the pa
rents reside in the district in which
the institution is situated
Richard G.. Barrett,
Superintendent Public Instruction.
August 10, 1901.