Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1916-07-19

proved July Is.
225,013 Persons of
School Age in Maine
The number Of persons between the
ages of five and q years in the State Is
225, O13, Of whom 113,43s are boys and
111,575 are girls, according to the an
nual report of the State superintendent
of public schools which has been filed
with the Governor and Council The
number Of different pupils registered IN
the common schools during the past
2,120 over the figures for the preceding
year and maintains the proportion in
relation to the gains in school popula-
ton. In 1908 there were 132,448 different
pupils registered in the common
schools which would apparently indi-
cate that during the 10-year period the
relative increase in the number of pu-
pills registered is very small in compar-
ison with the gain in the number of
persons Of school age. In this connec-
ton, however. it must be remembered
lIldl a. CuHSlucIdUic part VI IIiS ulllCl
ence may be accounted for by the vari-
ton in the manner Of recording school
| registra ton.
The number Of pupils conveyed at the
expense Of towns was 1910, a slight in
crease over the number conveyed for
the preceding year, but sufficient in
connection with figures covering a per-
iod of years to indicate the continued
dependence Of this method of furnish
ing children with school privileges out
side the immediate neishborhood in
which they live.
| Attendanee-and Length Of Year
A considerable number of persons of
not attending school regularly. While
it is manifestly impossible to reach a
point at which the failure Of towns to
enforce the compulsory education law
will rot longer be factor in the sta
tistics Of school attendance. very de-
termined effort on the part of school
officials in those towns in which the
delinquency is most marked would re-
duce the number to a very appreciate
extent.
While the increase in the average
length Of the school year may serve to
mitigate the evil effects of irregular at
| tendance upon the individual pupil, yet
the effect on the school organization as
whole should not be underestimated
| A pupil who is not in regular attend
ance must necessarily interfere seri-
ously with the class organization of
| which he forms a part so that other
pupils must suffer from the disturb
ance which his absence and subsequent
return occasions.
For the first time in several years
there is noted no gain in the number Of
days during the year for which schools
were maintained. 1t must be remem-
bered however, that since 1905 the av-
erage length of days for the school
year has increased from 1879 to 166. or
considerably more than five school
weeks. The number Of weeks for
which schools are maintained in any
town is rarely above 36, or $50 school
days, including holidays and days dur
ing which schools are not in session
for other reasons. 1t is evident. there
fore, that the very considerable number
of the towns and cities which now re-
port SO weeks as the length of the
school year cannot be expected to con-
tribute to further gain in the average
length Of the year for the state as q
whole. Nearly all the gain must come
from those towns which now maintain
schools for less than the average for
all the towns and cities Of the state
The law passed by the legislature Of
1915 fixing 30 weeks as the minimum
requirement for the school wear affects
those towns which must result in a de-
cided rise in the average number OF
days for which schools are maintained.
The Teaching Force
The tendency towards permanency in
the teaching force is further en-
phaszed by figures which show re-
duction in the number Of different per-
sons employed as teachers during the
school year. This IL also indicated Nv
the increase in the number of teachers
continued In the same school for tho
entire year. The number continued in
the same school for the year was "a per
cent OF the total number OF different
persons employed. An increase Of two
per cent Is shown in the number OF
graduates of normal or training schools
employed as teachers during the year.
A comparison Of figures covering the
above items for the 10-year period
serves TO show most satisfactory pro-
gress Especially Ia this trua ,,,,,A