ADDITIONAL PARTICLULARS.

Lincoln in 1883-84 had 1,520 pupils enrolled in primary schools, 704 in intermediate, 196 in grammar, and 87 in high; there were 96 colored pupils. The schools were taught 9 months, in 8 buildings, containing 38 rooms. Average salary of teachers, $51.

Omaha in 1882-183 had an increased enrolment of 711, more than 15 per cent. over that of the preceding year, and an average attendance greater by 689, or more than 23 per cent. This increase in daily attendance severely taxed the resources of the board of education in providing room. Although 3 new school buildings were erected during the year, giving 8 more rooms, while others were in progress, these came far short of meeting the demand.

Among the features of 1883-84 were the introduction of music into the course of study, the employment of special teachers in this branch and in drawing and penmanship, and the completion of 3 more school buildings, giving 18 more rooms, another building being improved and still another in process of erection. The schools maintained their high standard in studies, discipline, and attendance, with a large falling off in cases of tardiness. Evening schools had 260 pupils, with an average attendance of 40, under 3 teachers. Estimated enrolment in private schools, 1,729.

PREPARATION AND QUALIFICATIONS OF TEACHERS.

STATE REQUIREMENTS FOR TEACHERS' CERTIFICATES.

No person in this State may teach in the public schools without a certificate, based on examination, from the State superintendent of public instruction, from the county superintendent of the county in which he purposes to teach, from the State Normal School, or from a city board of examiners. A diploma from the State Normal School or from a like normal school of another State has the force of a high grade certificate; the latter, however, must be approved by the State superintendent. For a professional State certificate, which authorizes the holder to teach in any public school of the State without further examination, there must be evidence of high character and of broad scholarship or of graduation from a college or university in good standing and of successful teaching for at least 3 years in a high school of the State.

STATE NORMAL TRAINING.

The State Normal School, Peru, gives 2 years to elementary studies and 3 to a higher course. Vocal music, penmanship, and orthography constitute a part of the daily exercises and instruction in Latin is given in the advanced course. Graduates from the elementary course are qualified to teach in common ungraded and lower grade schools; those from the higher, for any educational position in the public schools

of the State.

The University of Nebraska, Lincoln, in its department of didactics, presents elective studies in the junior and senior years. The studies offered are history of education, State and national systems of education, school organization and management, and school supervision in city, village, and country.

OTHER NORMAL TRAINING.

The Santee Normal Training School, Santee Agency, established by the American Board of Commissioners for Foreign Missions to train Dakota Indian ministers, teachers, and interpreters and to educate the men and women of the Dakota Nation, offers instruction in the English studies and science; also, in industrial work. Whole number of students, 114; under normal training, 4.

Doane College presents a 3-year course of normal training in common English and advanced studies. Special attention is given to the best methods of acquiring and imparting knowledge, to school organization and discipline, and to State laws concerning education. Opportunity for practice teaching is given to students.

Nebraska Wesleyan University, in a 3-year teachers' course, trains students in all the branches required for a first grade certificate.

For statistics of normal schools reporting for 1883-'84, see Table III of the appendix to this volume; for a summary of those statistics, a corresponding table in the report of the Commissioner preceding.

EDUCATIONAL JOURNALS.

School Work and Literary Notes, a semimonthly published at Crete, continued to be in 1883 and 1884 the official organ of public instruction and the chief medium for the diffusion of educational information throughout the State. It was in its eleventh volume as School Work in 1884.

SECONDARY INSTRUCTION.

PUBLIC HIGH SCHOOLS.

Any district containing 150 or more children between the ages of 5 and 21 years may elect a district board of 6 trustees, which may grade and classify the scholars in the district, establish a high school when ordered by the district, and prescribe courses of study and text books for the same. In 1883-'84 there appear 37 such schools, with a total of 1,955 pupils, an increase of 141 from 1882-83.

The State report says that a joint committee of the faculty of the university and of the principals and superintendents of public schools arranged in 1884 two courses for the high schools, a minor and a major. Completing the former - which includes arithmetic, elementary algebra, scientific studies, and English, Latin, and German elements-admits to the second year of the University Latin School. The completion of the latter which includes higher elements of the same kind, with Greek and considerable English history-admits to the freshman class of the university. High schools adopting these courses and signifying their desire to prepare students for the university will be visited by a committee from the university, and, on approval of their work, will be allowed to enter their graduates without examination.

SUPERIOR INSTRUCTION.

COLLEGES FOR YOUNG MEN OR FOR BOTH SEXES.

The University of Nebraska, Lincoln, has a college of literature, science, and the arts; a college of medicine, organized in 1883; an industrial college, embracing agriculture, practical science, civil engineering, and the mechanical arts; and a conservatory of music. The college of literature, science, and the arts presents classical, scientific, and literary courses, each covering 4 years and leading to appropriate degrees. Two years are given to preparatory studies. Drawing, painting, ancient and modern languages, and didactics form a part of the course, the last optional.

During 1883 and 1884 the faculty of the university was greatly strengthened, students increased in number and improved in quality, and more baccalaureate degrees were given than half the entire number for the preceding 10 years, or the whole previous existence of the university. During 1883-84 there was an attendance of 349 students in all departments.

The other collegiate institutions reporting are Doane College, Crete; Nebraska College, Nebraska City; Creighton College, Omaha; and Nebraska Wesleyan University, Fullerton. All include preparatory departments or courses and classical courses of 4 years and all but Creighton College scientific courses.

Doane College reports the erection during the year of an astronomical observatory, the first and only one in the State. Its establishment is due to the liberality of the late Charles Boswell, of West Hartford, Conn., who recently gave the college $4,500, this making a total of $13,000 received from him at various times, besides an additional amount left by will. The observatory is also a signal service station, coöperating with the United States Signal Service at Washington. The equipment includes an equatorial telescope of 8-inch aperture, a transit instrument, an astronomical clock, a sidereal break circuit chronometer, a time ball dropped daily at noon by electrical connection with the observatory clock, and various other electrical devices. This college also received during the year a bequest from Mr. L. J. Knowles, of Worcester, Mass., cash from Mr. and Mrs. Knowles amounting to $1,000, and additional amounts from others, making a total of $11,400.

SCIENTIFIC AND PROFESSIONAL INSTRUCTION.

SCIENTIFIC.

Provision for scientific instruction is found in the Industrial College of the University of Nebraska, and to some extent in the general scientific courses of that university, Nebraska Wesleyan University, and Doane and Nebraska Colleges. The leading studies of the Industrial College are agriculture, horticulture, civil engineering, and related subjects. In the agricultural course prominence is given to the sciences in proportion to the directness of their relation to farming, and an effort is made to give the student (who has two or more agricultural or horticultural studies each year) such knowledge and skill as will be of the greatest value to him should he leave before completing a full course.

PROFESSIONAL.

Theological training has been heretofore reported in the Nebraska Divinity School, Nebraska City (Protestant Episcopal), in the German Theological Seminary, Crete (Congregational), and in the Nebraska Baptist Seminary, Gibbon. There is no report for 1-83-84 from the Baptist Seminary; the Nebraska Divinity School appears to have had only 2 students, under 1 professor; and the German Seminary had 15, under 2

professors. The Santee Normal Training School of the American Missionary Associa tion, meant to prepare teachers and preachers for the Dakota Indians, reports 33 students of theology in 1-3, under 4 instructors.

No schools of law report from this State, but the department of political science and philosophy of the State university includes in its curriculum courses in international ay and in the Constitution of the United States.

Medial instruction continues to be given at Omaha Medical College, Omaha, in the esmal course of 3 years study, including 2 terms of lectures. These extend over 5 weeks. An examination in English branches is required for admission, and both sexes are received on equal terms. A college of medicine after the "regular" form was established by the board of regents, in connection with the State university, in February, 1:3, and a faculty of 7 elected, who agreed to serve the university for two years without compensation, except necessary travelling expenses. At a later meeting of the board, in June, 1883, representation in the college was also granted to the homeopathic and eclectic schools of practice upon the same conditions. In June, 1894. regulations were adopted requiring attendance on 3 lecture terms of not less than 6 months each, as well as a satisfactory examination on all the studies of the course. As a result, most of the students entering in 15-4 did so for a 3-year course. After September, 185, candidates for admission must sustain an examination on the subjects required for a county superintendent's certificate of the second grade, with the addition of elementary chemistry, and must also show ability to write the English language correctly.

SPECIAL INSTRUCTION.

EDUCATION OF THE DEAF AND DUMB.

The Nebraska Institute for the Deaf and Dumb, Omaha, instructs, by both the sign and what is termed the aural methods, deaf residents of the State 7 to 25 years of age. This instruction is in common school branches, history, physiology, philosophy, &c., and the report for 1-3 and 14 says that there were 27 pupils under aural and oral instruction. There is practice also in carpentry and printing for the boys, with sewing and general housework for girls. Wood engraving was added in 1884. The institution publishes an interesting Mute Journal, which was in its eleventh volume in that year. Since the organization of the school, in 1809, it is said that 211 pupils have received instruction, of whom 141 were in attendance in 1883-84. For other statistics, see Table XVIII of the appendix.

EDUCATION OF THE BLIND.

The Nebraska Institute for the Blind, Nebraska City, furnishes tuition to resident blind pupils 9 to 21 years of age in common and higher school branches, with special attention to vocal and instrumental music. All receive instruction in some índustrial work or trade which will fit them for self support.

Thirty-six pupils were under instruction in the biennial term which ended in 1884, and in 1955 the first class was expected to graduate from a literary department reorganized in the two preceding years.

STATE REFORM SCHOOL.

The State Reform School, Kearney, organized in 1881, reports for 1883 a total of 62 inmates, 27 of them committed during the year. Age for admission, 7-16; instructors, 10; studies, the common English branches and drawing.

EDUCATIONAL CONVENTION.

NEBRASKA STATE TEACHERS' ASSOCIATION.

The Nebraska State Teachers' Association held its annual convention at Lincoln, March 25, 154, Hon. W. W. W. Jones, State superintendent, presiding. Among the papers read and discussed were "Educational hindrances," "National aid to education," Twenty years in school," "The relation of the teacher to the people," "Modern languages," "Special training for teachers," and "The relation of secondary and superior instruction in the State;" also, an address on the relation of high schools to the State university, discussing fully the question of cooperation between these institutions, which seems to have been secured, as may be seen under Secondary Instruction, preceding.

CHIEF STATE SCHOOL OFFICER.

Hon. W. W. W. JONES, State superintendent of public Instruction, Lincoin.
(Becond term. January 4, 1883, to January 8, 1885. Į

(From report of Hon. Charles S. Young, State superintendent of public instruction, for the biennial term ending August 31, 1884.)

STATE SCHOOL SYSTEM.

GENERAL CONDITION.

The falling off in mining in this State begins to show itself in a diminishing population, and the statistics of public schools may be expected to sympathize with the downward movement. Nevertheless, the per cent, of school youth enrolled shows in 13-4 an increase of about 2 per cent. and that in average daily attendance au increase of 4.43. With 3 new school districts formed, there were 9 more that reported school statistics; of 7 additional public schools, 5 were graded; more men were employed in teaching, higher pay was given to both sexes thus employed, and expenditure for public schools increased, although not largely.

The State superintendent says that there has been an increasing interest in the prosperity of the public schools, partly from discussion of school questions in 3 State teachers' institutes, partly from agitation of like questions in the public press, and partly from a unanimous appeal by teachers for needed school reforms. County superintendents' reports presented by him show a like increase of interest in many Counties. The causes of failure, where failures to advance are spoken of, appear to be inadequacy of provision by the legislature for good schools, and especially inadequate taxation for them.

During the summer of 1884 many interesting and valuable institutes were held. While in a number of counties there were none, yet more were held for four weeks than ever before and with better results than formerly. Longer sessions were held, more experienced conductors were employed, there was a better attendance by the teachers, and the interest taken in the work by the public was greater than formerly. SECONDARY INSTRUCTION.

PUBLIC HIGH SCHOOLS.

Kansas City in 1882-'83 reported a high school which enrolled 316, with an average daily attendance of 231 and a graduating class of 24. Its studies are arranged in general and classical courses of 4 years each.

St. Joseph in 1882-'83 enrolled in its high school 204, with an average daily attendance of 162, graduating 25 from its 4-year course. In 1884 there were 185 students attending, of whom 144 were in average attendance. The year is said to have been one of prosperity, marked by faithful and efficient work.

St. Louis reported in 1882-83 an enrolment of 781 pupils in the high school, with 592 in average attendance, of whom 76 were graduated.

There is no information for 1883-'84 at hand from any of the above or other high schools in the State, except that at St. Joseph.

OTHER SECONDARY SCHOOLS.

For statistics of business colleges, private academic schools, preparatory schools, and preparatory departments of colleges, see Tables IV, VI, VII, and IX of the appendix following.

SUPERIOR INSTRUCTION.

UNIVERSITIES AND COLLEGES FOR YOUNG MEN or for BOTH SEXES.

The University of Missouri, Columbia, continued in 1883-'84 to give instruction in 11 academic schools, 6 in science and 5 in languages, and in 9 professional schools, 1 of the latter (the School of Mines and Metallurgy) being at Rolla. There was a faculty of 33 members, with 573 students, 71 being in the mining school at Rolla. Women are admitted on equal terms with men.

The Washington University, St. Louis, continues to give, in its Smith Academy, for young men, and the Mary Institute, for young women, thorough preparatory training for the 3 collegiate courses in arts, philosophy, and science. Graduates of the 2 former courses, of 4 years each, receive the degrees of A. B. and PH. B. There are also provided 3 degrees beyond the ordinary A. M.: the first, cum laude; the second, magna cum laude; the third, summa cum laude. The Manual Training School, established in 1879, affords an exceedingly useful course in mechanical industries. The St. Louis School of Fine Arts, a department of the university, gives training in art. For an account of the Manual Training School, see Scientific and Professional Instruction, further on. Free evening schools, preparatory to industrial pursuits, are held in the polytechnic building, also connected with the university.

The Southwest Baptist College, Bolivar (organized 1879), appears now, for the first time, in the collegiate table, IX, of the appendix, having been previously in the academic list. It shows classical and Latin-scientific courses and a course in letters of 4 years each, a normal course of 3 years, one in music of 4 years, and an undefined commercial course.

Westminster College, Fulton (Presbyterian), not reported in 1881 or 1882, now shows a classical course of 6 years and a scientific course of 4, with an English course designed to fit boys for business.

Morrisville College, Morrisville (Methodist Episcopal), chartered as a college in 1876, but heretofore found in the academic list, now, for the first time, appears in that of colleges. It shows a faculty of 5 members, with a preparatory department, which includes only ordinary English studies; a high school department, including higher English studies, with Latin optional; and a collegiate department, with the ordinary college studies, covering 4 years.

Sedalia University, Sedalia (Presbyterian), now first reported, shows a preparatory course of 3 years, and classical, scientific, and modern language courses of 4 years each, the first two leading to the degree of A. B. and the other to that of B. s. There are also commercial, normal, and music courses. Women are admitted on equal terms with men. From an academic character this institution has gradually advanced to an apparently fair college rank.

Most of the above colleges report preparatory training of from 1 to 3 years. Christian and St. Louis Universities and Stewartsville College have commercial courses, St. Louis University and Pritchett School Institute each provided a graduate course, while music, drawing, and painting were taught in nearly all.