The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1901-11-29
PUBLIC
SCHO0LSOF
OKLAHOMA
Gov. Jenkins Report Conn.,
mends institutions Highly.
GROWTH Is WONDERFUL
Comparative Statement of
Statistics Is Given.
GROWTH IS WONDERFUL

Iul Information regarding the plan out
lined. He says as follows:
THE public school system Of Oklahoma
is at once the pride and glory of the ris-
ing commonwealth Its remarkable de-
velopment has kept pace with the pheno-
menal material progress of the growing
state
Legends recount that Athens sprang.
fully armed. from the brain Of Zeus: so
our public school system seems to have
sprung into existence fully developed
"One OF the first acts of the legislative
assembly, a decade ago, was to enact
comprehensive laws for the establishment
and support of a public school system.
Indeed, the organic act passed by the
general government appropriated $50 900
to assist nestablishing public schools.
most of which was expended in teachers
salaries.
at first the township was the unit of
organization: later, it was displaced BY
the district system. Today the public
school system embraces rural. town and
city systems. together with higher edu-
cationaI institutions, including univer-
sity. agricultural college and normal
schools.
In each county there IS a county sup
erintendent, elected every two years.
whose duty it is TO see that the school
laws are enforced in the counties, to visit
and inspect schools, to hold public gath
eriBgs, to encourage education and 10
make full and complete reports OF edu-
cational conditions and progress. There is
also a territorial superintendent appoint
ed by the governor. who has general sup
ervision and management Of the schools
under such limitations and restrictions
as tho law may prescribe.
THE general educational policy of the
territory is moulded by the territorial
board OF education, consisting Of the ter
ritorial superintendent. the president OF
the university, the president of the Nor
mai school, located ar Edmond. one city
superintendent and one county superin-
tendert appointed by the governor. This
board grants territorial certificates and
diplomas. certificates to instructors and
conductors of normal institutions and
prepares the questions for territorial.
county and city teachers examinations.
Some years ago the territorial board
outlined a grade course CT study for the
rural schools, which has since been put
in active operation by the various county
superintendents. This course OF study
graduates into the high schools and the
preparatory departments of the higher
institutions Of learning. Last year over
700 studerts took the examination; about
3l2 passed. Since the system was in
augurated some 1892 pupils have grad
uated Our cities have frst-class graded
schools. equal in efficiency to those Of
cities Of corresponding size in older
states. Laws authorizing township and
county high schools are upon the stat
utes So far none have been organized.
It is hoped that every county Will or
ganize a county high school at an early
date A few comparative statistics will
show the rapid growth of the public
school system. IN 1891 there were e,Ss5
pupils enumerated: in 1900. i14,737. In
1891 tnere were 4SS teachers employed;
in 1900. 2,s4s IN 1891 the estimated value
OF school property was sI2 oS5; in 1900.
$3.50. .972. In 1881, there were 1oa school
houses; in 1900. 1890 In 1891 there were
s5s school districts sustaining schools;
in 1900. ? ,0ss IN 1921 the amount received
for school purposes was s446s4, while IN
1900 s774.I7s was received. These statistics
are based upon the 1900 report as the 1901
report will not be due until October !.
IN Oklahoma the district school system
prevails. The district school is managed
by n school board consisting OF a director. I
clerk and treasurer, each OF whom
holds his Office for a period Of three
years The district board has charge Of
the school house. OF the finance of the
district. employment OF teachers. pro-
vides the necessary apparatus. doing an
.ose things which VIII promote the in !
rercst and efficiency Of the schools In /
July OF each year there IS an annual
meeting in each district AZ which a {
menlber Of the school board is regularly /
elected, the length Of school term deter (
mined and the amount of annual tax /
voted.
sThe qualifications for teachers are /
similar 20 those required by the states /
Examinations for applicants 20 teach 81 (
The rural schools are held quarterly un- /
Ter the direction OF the county examining 1
BOARD. consisting Of the county supcrin- 4
.endert and two associate examiners ap-
pointed Is the county commissioners.
Three grades cf county certificates are +
ssued. first. second and third grade The
7rst grade is good for three years. the
second fer two years. and the third FOR
me year. Under certain conditions tenn
,orarr certificates are sometimes issued.
, normal institute lasting from three g.
dx weeks is held in each county anna-
.lfe A three years gradcd course ~
sa - 90. +.
,asrd ~ education and introduced hy the
.orrtv ssperfrtenderts- Graduates y
MS course or study arc girca normal
-lsfftate 6iplones Teachers Who noia
lrst zra 30 certiGeates. normal irstitate
rfrsornss ard two teachers reading CIR
.is certificates are srartef h.Eh-class
srr rfeesfa-sl ce-ti1cates ~ ths cas1ty sz-
mining board
The average length - scbeol term las.
ear vas four ard une-half months 20
,svrre c8antr the averae- isnrrh -
erm us SIX ard one-hatf rnerths -
81 aeaith 81 fee people gradually af-
-sIates tts lsnrth ~ ere term ircrsas.s
-sroaeh oslahsaia s system = sfpar
-bars he t-ea aiarnes. ard s n
--t-,a.-sd T1s a.lrsatarss - Csc ra
vsear gaeafseaL oar sses w
r.. ara a sftm ~ iest le.ass
s l+n a-e5 fr gas rs
Z h fhe~e r
-sssastaa- rarh
si tf-s- m-etl1zf es-aeatitsti fssses
ass f tss r
ers asst r
aa reis arr4-
ul ars tee Chretas ass
.ssr. 80 scras lsrtfsl ssalrz