The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1914-04-06

I
COA1PUI3ORY EDUCATION.
Although six states in the Union arr
still without compulsory school attend
ance laws. and four others have laws
that apply only partially, definite prog.
ress during the past decade il reported
In bulletin just issued by the Unitsd
States Bureau Of Education. Since 1901
eight states previously without compul-
sorry laws have adopted them, and it Il
thought to be matter Of only . few
years when compulsory school attend
ance will be. in effect in every state and
territory of the United States.
The six states still without compul-
sorry school laws are: South Carolina.
Georgia, Florida, Alabama. Mississippi
and Texas. The four local-option
states. where the law Is in effect in
certain counties only, are Maryland.
Virginia, Arkansas and Louisiana.
The bureaus investigation Of the sub
ject reveals q close connection between
lack of compulsory attendance laws
and illiteracy. The states rank in per-
centage OF illiteracy very much in ac-
cordance with the length Of time COM
pulsory schooling has been in effect
and the completeness with which 1t Is
enforced.
The states vary widely in number Of
years and amount of attendance re-
quired each year. The period of COM
pulsory attendance is from to IL in
North Carolina and Virginia. In most
states 1t is 8 to "A or Is. The present
tendency IL to raise the upper limit OF
compulsion. In II states the compul-
sorry age limit il Is years or above; in
Idaho It IL Is. AS a general rule. how
ever. children In all these states are al
lowed to leave school at II II they Sc
cure employment or have completed the
eighth grade in school. There is a con-
stantly increasing effort to safeguard
the child between "A and 16 years Of
age, the period of special importance
for the vocational preparation Of most
children.
AS little as II weeks Of school attend
ance during any one year may be re-
ouired in Virginia, Oklahoma, Delaware
and Nebraska, while in Vermont and
other states there must be $50 or more
days OF actual school attendance every
year. Many states require attendance
during the full time school Is In ses-
sion." which may mean anything from
Al to 1914 days. Some states secure at
tendance during long terms by condi-
tioning state appropriations upon the
number Of days Of actual school attend
ance.
A variety of exemptions are found IN
the laws of the different states. Con-
necticut and Arkansas will not enforce
the compulsory attendance law III the
parent ia not able to provide proper
for the child. Physical or
mental incapacity is general exemp-
ton; another customary exemption IS
from school facilities. Oc-
casionally exemptions are made on re-
lixious grounds. Thus the Michigan
law exempts children from compulsory
between the ages OF IL and
IA while In attendance at confirmation
classes for a period not to exceed fivc
months In each of the two years.
Necessary factors in the enforcement
Of compulsory attendance laws are
summed up 80 follows: An annual
school census taken by the school au-
thorities: prompt reports of unexcused
absences by teachers in public and pri->
vate schools; properly qualified attend
ance officers; state agents to see that
the laws are enforced; special schools
for truants and pupils irregular in at
tendance; relief for INDECENT parents
having children Of compulsory age: a
definite annual period Of attendance;
child-labor laws; employ
ment certificate made out to the en-
ployer: and proper penalties for all con-
cerned in the enforcement of the law.