The Eureka sentinel. [volume] (Eureka, Nev.) 1902-current, 1909-04-10
THE NEW SCHOOL LEGISLATION
Many Laws Passed, a Few Of
Which Affect All Schools
OF the State

The last Legislature passed an un-
usually large number Of measures per-
tanning to school matters. and a few of
them affect the entire State. Among
the general laws. q new Compulsory
Attendance law. a law providing for
the establishment Of County Normal
Training Schools. and a complete re-
vision of the laws relating to County
High Schools seem to be the most
important.
The exact provisions of the Attend
ance law are yet uncertain, but it is
supposed thai this measure will pro-
vide ample means for reaching the de-
linquent children in all of the schools.
The bill was drafted 10 accordance with
similar laws in other States. and was
intended especially to meet the require
her in Reno and other larger towns.
although it applies with equal force to
every school district in the State. I'm.
der its provisions. all children between
the ages of 6 aud is years must attend
the public schools during the entire
term that school Is in session. Three
days absence after notice from trustees.
or from the attendance officer APP
pointed by the trustees, without a good
excuse, makes a child a delinquent, and
a part of a day is considered a whole day.
The parent of any such child is liza BILE
to a fine or to imprisonment unless it can
be shown that the child is unable to
attend school because of physical or
mental inability, has passed the eighth
school grade, its labor is required for
its own or its parents support, or that
the distance from the school makes at.
tendance unsafe.
The Normal Training School law
provides that a training school for
teachers may be established in any
county in which there are five or more
applicants who have graduated from q
high school or who hold a teachers
certificate. This measure is designed
to give those who aspire to become
teachers al opportunity for preparation
at or near home without going to the
expense of going to college. The course
will consist of n years work in the
common branches with special refer
ence to methods of teaching. The law
is patterned aztec that of New York.
Nebraska, and Wisconsin, where SINH
lar schools have existed for several
years and have been found to be the
most successful means of supplying
teachers for the rural schools. The
salary of the training teacheri is paid out
of the State General Fund, but local
expen SEES for room aud equipment must
be borne by the county-not to exceed
$500 annually.
The revision of the County High
School law has had the effect of bring
ing the county high schools into the
general educational system Of the State
and making them uniform in their
operation. Heretofore no certificates
were required as a qualification to each
in these schools, aud there has been no
uniformity in the courses of study.
The entrance requirement is based upon
the eighth grade examinations now
held uniformly throughout the State.
A provision is also made for the erec-
ton or rental. and management and
maintenance of suitable dorEitories
where they are desired.
The E nergency Act provides a fund
for the new districts by which they are
enabled to maintiiu school until an
apportionment from the school fluids is
made. The new districts have been re-
quired to commence school within 100
days of the organiz ,tion of the dis
tricts. aud there has been no fund
available for that purpose.
Many of the Acts relate to particular
districts. and do not affect the general
school system.