Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1903-01-13
EDUCATION.

The state superintendent Of public schools
| reports that there were 2l3,126 persons oi
school age in the state on April lSt, NV;
| GGii teachers were employed. OF whom
4Sl were graduates of Normal Schools.
| There were 22i free high schools, with l3,'
| 2S3 pupils enrolled.
1t is gratifying to know that the parents
| of children who are in the schools. ana cit
| izens generally, are taking greater inter
est In school work. and that much Is con.
stantly being done in the improvement OF
| school grounds and buildings, ana TO MAKE
the schools in every possible way more AT
| tractivc and efficient
The state school fund and mill tax the
| past year amounted to S5G2, ,461. The school
| fund raised by the towns was Ss3s,So., anu
| the amount derived from various local re-
sources S3S0i2. making the to,ai amount
available for the support OF the common
| schools 81 1I39.310
| recommend that the state school funds
| he apportioncd on the basis of average at
| tendance. instead OF on the basis Of the
| rumber of persons between four ana tweh
tv-one years of age. in the different towns
| and cities. 1t Is only right that the state
| .hould so distribute these funds aS to make
| The wiseSt use of them. and In way thht
| will accomplish the largest possible measure
| "f practical good. For this reason the al!
| tmcnt should be based not upon the
| iumber Of persons Of school age. hut rather
rron the number actually attending our
| public schools and receiving instruction
| therein.
| believe that such change In the law
would work to the benefit OF our common
| schools, and | trust this matter Will re
| ccive your early and careful consideration
| Our academies. seminarics, and institutes
| have the largest attendance In their history
| The children In the rural and village com
| munities ut the present time show more
| ardent desire for n higher education thar
was cvlnced by the boys and girls In the
days when many of these institutions were
founded and when the men whose snbse
| C,!rnt distinguished careers did so much tt
| give prestige to their state were laying the
| foundation Of future greatness.
| The normal schools have increased theil
| standards Of admission, and as n result th'
students are better trained. These scnoois
are in most satisfactory condition In every
| way, and are making constant progress anc
| Improvement.
| The summer training schools are attended
| by Il large proportion OF our teachers, IRON
which they derive many advantages. The
teachers institutes which have been large
| ly attended. have afforded parents, teach
ers. students and school officials an oppor
| tulity 10 discuss the various questions re
ing to the work Of the schools, and have
| been of inestimable value.
| Under the provisions of the will or tht
| late Cecil Rhodes. two students from this
| Stnte may have the advantage of scholar
| slips at Oxford University. England. ant
| receive S1.500 each year during n residence
| there Of three years.
A small appropriation may he necessary
to enable the state to take advantage oi
the opportunity thus offered.
The general law providing for aid tt
| academies, enacted by the legislature OF
1901. appears to have fulfilled the eSpecta
| tions Of its advocates. and has apparently
| proved an effective remedy for the evil:
previously existing. while at the same time
| giving aid to many worthy and deserving
| Institutions which are doing splendid WORK
in the various towns in which they are sit
uated.