The Colorado statesman., 1912-04-06
DECREASE IN NEGRO
SCHOOL CHILDREN
REPORT OF SUPERINTENDENT OF
PUBLIC INSTRUCTION OF MIS-
SOURI, SHOWS 2,2es LESS COL.
Is oRED CHILDREN ATTENDED
SCHOOL IN 1911 THAN IN 1910.

aA6 lSpOllt SLOWS lue
OF negro children of school age de-
creased 2,26S between July l, 1910,
and July l, 1911.
An examination of the annual re-
ports upon the public schools of Mis-
souri, for number of years back re-
veal there has been a steady decrease
In the number of negro children enum-
Grated. The report for 1910 shows
1889, while Mr.. Evans report, now
under compilation. gives but 4O,631
The state superintendent does not
know what to make of this condition.
He said today 1t either indicates an
exodus of negro residents from Mis-
souri, or the race is decreasing.
The large cities show no increase
In negro children of school age, eth
er, and the report for 1910 indicated
none. The decrease for the school
year ending July l, 1911, is approx
mately five per cent. of the total num-
Der
The total enumeration of white chill
dren for 1911 was 934,S73 of whom
45,l63 were boys and 459,710 girls.
The total enumeration, including ne
NAis hS Oiout, against l.
OO3,434 in 1910 This decrease was
largely due to the heavy slump at st.
Joseph, where the enumeration
dropped off approximately $4,000.
st. Joseph received school money
upon the basis of over $4,000 school
children in 1910. The new enumera,
tion gives fewer than 10000. Mr..
Evans held up moneys for st. Joseph
TO compel the authorities there to re-
fund approximately $4,000 which the
city received last year in excess of
the amount to which it was entitled
under the new school census. A suit
to determine his right is now pend
ing in the Supreme court.
Missouri has 10,105 school districts
of which 1872 had an enumeration of
less than 20; 1854. an enumeration
Of between 20 and 80; 3,917, from 80
to 40; 2,542, from so to So and 1870,
an enumeration in excess of so.
These figures indicate the need of
consolidation, Mr.. Evans says The
small districts are able to maintain
school less than six months and to
pay teachers low wages. law au-
thorizing the consolidation of school
districts was enacted last winter
Few districts have taken advantage
Of this law. however. Another meas
ure empowering such consolidated dis
tricts to provide for free transporta-
uon OF children was also enacted
Consolidation of districts and the
transportation of children have been
agitated by the State Teachers asso-
clation and superintendent for many
years, but with little results. There
was expended for teachers wages for
the school year ending July l. 1911,
S,952,661,56. The total amount of
money paid into that fund was $9.153,.
956S2
The salaries paid teachers is ridic.
ulously low, when the increase in cost
of living is considered. The average
salary of male teachers in 1911 was
$60.51 a month while that for women
was but S55.53 a month.
The average earnings of male teach.
ers annually was approximately s467
and that Of women about S415 The
poorest paid laborer would earn more
than this sum If regularly employed.
The total numbes of men employed
at teaching in 1911 was 4,767, of whom
247 were negroes. There were 1878
women employed as teachers. of whom
5lS were colored
The average lew for school pur.
poses was So cents on $1O0 valuation
as against SO for 1910. There were
Al districts In Missouri which made
no tax levy, 100 levied less than 90
cents, 1856 levied between 20 and 40
cents, 3,1S1 levied 40 cents, while $3.50
levied over 40 cents on the 500 val.
uation.
The average daily attendance last
school year was 4SS,619 This is about
half OF the total enumeration The
average length of school term was 155
days. Sixty schools maintained less
than four months; 746 between four
and six months; 5,343 eight months or
more. The average daily attendance
was under 10 in 726. from 10 to Is in
1857 districts, Is to 20 in 1891, 25 to
40 in 2,464 and 40 or more in 1896
districts.
Nearly one-third of the teachers of
Missouri taught on third-grade coun-
ty certificates In 1911. There were
5,257 with third grade county certif-
Gates. 4.07S with second grade, $3.50
with first grade, S17 with Normal GER
uficates. 936 with Normal diplomas,
412 with limited state certificates and
505 with life state certificates.
Some important changes were made
In the certificates Of teachers by the
last legislature. Under law the
state superintendent examines the pa
pers written before county superin.
tendents by applicants for first-grade
county certificates. These, when
granted. are good in any county in
Missouri, when properly indorsed
There was expended in Missouri
for the school year ending July 1. 1911