The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1914-01-01
SAGE SCHOOL REPORT
MISLEADING, ASSERTS
SUPT. NJ. B. STEPHENS
Educator Shows State System Is MOI
So Bad As 1t Has Been Pictured.

State Superintendent of Schools M.
Bates Stephens, in reply to sections of
the report of the Russell Sage Fourda-
ton Fund which placed Maryland s
schools on a low plane compared to
those in the majority of the States,
points out that many of the statements
made are misleading.
He said:
The report of the Russell Sage Founda-
ton Fund on a comparative study of
State school systems will serve a good
purpose in directing public attention to
weak points in the several State school
systems and as such 1t should have our
hearty commentator. Interests are
considered in this comparative study
some of which do not affect in a vital
way the efficiency OF school system.
1t must be remembered, too, that the
report does not contain many tests of
efficiency which are fundamental but
difficult to gather the data for compar-
ison. Taking the 10 items investigated
and presented it would be unfair to
determine the general efficiency of
schools. The States rank is on the
tests given and as such it is intesesting,
but not conclusive in measuring the
real worth of public educ alton in a
State.
THE statistics upon which the COM
parsons of the report were made were
taken largely from the annual report of
the Commissioner of Education, who
for years has been trying to formulate
uniform blanks to be used by all the
State school departments, but the task
has not been finished; until that is done
many statistics are estimated.
Perhaps the most shocking part of
the report to Marylanders was the low
rank given our State-thirty-six
Every State, except Florida, which
maintains separate schools for white and
colored children, ranks lower than Mary
land; so, working under like conditions,
Maryland stands at the top of its list.
Until the colored schools are made as
good as white schools in those States
| maintaining the two systems it will be
very hard for such State to rank high.
If the schools in Maryland maintained
for white children were compared with
the schools of States supporting but
the one system of schools attended by
all children of school age Maryland's
rank would be as gratifying as its
present standing has been disappont-
ing.
"The following statements of the
article referred to are misleading and
common justice demands the facts as
they are, which are taken from the
latest report of the United States Com
missioner of Education, made in 1912:
81. "Only II States havea greater
number of llliterates than Maryland. !"
The percentage of illiterates, census
of 1910, 10 years of age and over, is for
the United States, TT; for Maryland
To per cent, which is lower than the
average for the country. When we
analyze this we find (a) white native
parents, per cent; (b) foreign born,
1l.9 per cent. and (c) colored, 23.47.
The large proportion of colored people
and of the foreign born raises the per-
centage of illiteracy. The school can
not be blamed altogether for this rating.
Hence, while there are only II States
which rank lower than Maryland in this
test we should remember that our show
ing is above the general average for
the nation.
2. Forty States send more children
to school IN proportion to their popula-
ton than Maryland.
This statement is not true. Based
on percentage of total population en-
rolled in elementary, secondary and
higher schools. the average for the
nation is l.36 per cent, while that of
Maryland is 20.2l, which is very nearly
the general average. Eighteen land
not eight States have lower average
than Maryland and this showing in
spite of the absence of compulsory
school attendance, except for Baltl-
more city.
Based on percentage of population
5 to "a years enrolled in public and
private schools, the average for the
nation is So l, while that for MARYLAND
is 50.91. Fifteen States rank lower
than Maryland, including Pennsylvania
and New York.
School population from to Is en-
rolled the percentage for the nation is
72. 81 and for Maryland 1894. In 1890
it was 60.37, gain of over per cent.
In this comparison II States are lower,
including New Hampshire, Rhode
Island, New York and Pennsylvania.
1t estimated on per cent. of total
population enrolled in school we find
for the nation it is 49, 20 and for Mary
land 1872. Eighteen States rank low
er than Maryland, including California,
New Jersey. New York, Massachusetts
and Rhode Island.
so. Only one State has worse
school attendance than Marvlands.
''lf this were ever true, it is not so
now. In 1911 the average number of
days attended by pupils for the nation
was ILLS, and for Maryland 1874.
There are 25 States lower in rank than
Maryland The average number Of
days schools were kept open for the
nation was 1856, while for Maryland it
was 1876. Only two States have long
er school year Rhode Island and New
| York. The average number of DAYS
attended by each pupil enrolled for
the nation is Ills and that for Mary
land 1l3.4. There are % States which
rank lower than Maryland in the num-
Der of days each pupil actually attends
school. The unusually long school year
in this State necessarily makes a bad
showing in rank when based on number
attending daily for each 100 enrolled.
Only three States rank lower than
ours, viz, Oklahoma, Mississippi and
Kentucky, yet in actual time spent in
school by each pupil annually our rank
should be twenty-third and not forty
seventh.
81. 'Forty-five expends more money
on their school in proportion to their
wealth than this State.
ut would be interesting to learn
just how such a comparison is made.
School officials of Maryland would feel
complimented on their economical
management of our schools if but two