case of the first named and 5 months and 9 days in the last. Both recommend a 3-year graded course.

The Eclectic Medical Institute and the American Eclectic Medical College, both at Cincinnati, present the usual course of 3 years, including attendance on 2 lecture terms, these terms extending over 20 weeks in the case of the first named and only about 18 in the other, which lacks the recognition of the Illinois board of health. The first mentioned advises a graded course of 3 years and offers in a preliminary course of lectures opportunity for a review in all the branches of a good English education, although it is not distinctly stated that this knowledge is required for admission; the American Eclectic requires an examination of all not graduates of some approved literary institution.

For statistics of medical colleges reporting, see Table XIII of the appendix, and for a summary, see the report of the Commissioner preceding.

SPECIAL INSTRUCTION.

TRAINING IN MUSIC.

The Cincinnati College of Music makes no special report to this Bureau for 1883 or 1884, but is understood to have continued in those years both its academic department and general music school, the former for those who desire to graduate or to parsue a definite course of study for some time, the latter for either general or special instruction in musical science and practice. A school of dramatic art is reported to have been also in contemplation.

EDUCATION OF THE DEAF AND DUMB AND THE BLIND.

The Ohio Institution for the Education of the Deaf and Dumb, Columbus (founded 1828), reported 505 different pupils in 1883, with an average daily attendance of 420. In 1884 there were 476, of whom 216 were girls. The school has 4 departments, academic, grammar, primary, and articulation, all under 25 instructors. Besides training in literature there is instruction in book-binding, carpentry, printing, and shoemaking. The general length of term is 7 years; the utmost limit of it, 10 years. Pupils must be residents of the State, be between the ages of 8 and 21, of good moral character, and of sound intellect. Total number who have received instruction since organization, 2,068; volumes in library, 2,000. The institution owns 10 acres of land, valued, with buildings, at $750,000. State appropriation for the year, $100,675; expenditure, $95,301.

The Cincinnati Day School for Deaf-Mutes, in charge of the city board of education, bad in 1882-83 an enrolment of 26 and an average attendance of 23; in 1883-'84, an enrolment of 31, with an average attendance of 28, under 2 instructors. The full course covers 7 years.

The Ohio Institution for the Education of the Blind, Columbus, had in 1883-'84 an enrolment of 190 pupils. Instruction is given in common and higher English branches, in Latin, and in instrumental music. In the industrial department there is training in piano tuning, chair caning, broom making, sewing, knitting, and beadwork. This department in 1882-183 made 455 dozen brooms, cane seated 284 chairs, and did about two hundred dollars' worth of piano tuning, besides other work.

EDUCATION OF THE FEEBLE-MINDED.

The Ohio Institution for the Feeble-Minded, Columbus, in 1882-'83 had 519 inmates, 28 officers and teachers, and 85 employés. In addition to learning common school studies, the boys keep up the current work of the farm, garden, and grounds. The girls are taught laundry work, sewing, and general housework.

INDUSTRIAL AND REFORMATORY TRAINING.

The Boys' Reform School, located on a farm of 1,210 acres, near Lancaster, undertakes the educational, moral, and industrial training of those committed to it. One half of each day is devoted to school work; the remainder, to industrial training and recreation. Instruction is given in vocal and instrumental music by experienced teachers. Great pains are taken to make all the instruction thorough and practical, so that pupils going out may enter school without hindrance or be fitted for self support. The institution was organized in 1858, since which time there had been 3,717 received up to 1883, of whom 460 remained. Number committed during the year, 178, the youngest 10 years of age and the oldest 19. Of these, 108 were white Americans, 23 colored, and the remaining 47 foreigners.

For statistics of reform and industrial schools reporting, see Tables XXI and XXII of the appendix, and for summaries of them, the report of the Commissioner preceding.

EDUCATIONAL CONVENTIONS,

STATE ASSOCIATION.

The Ohio Teachers' Association held its thirty-fourth annual meeting at Chautauqua, N. Y., July 3-5, 1883. The superintendents' section was called together by Superintendent R. McMillen. The president of the section, J. W. Dowd, of Toledo, delivered his inaugural address, after which papers were presented on "The legitimate duties of the school superintendent" and "The mission of the public school."

The general association was convened the second day, Chairman McMillen presiding. Mr. George W. Walker, president of the general association, in his inaugural address, called upon the officers and teachers to give more attention to health in the public schools, and said physiology and hygiene should constitute a part of every teacher's course, and that he should be required to pass an examination in these subjects. Among the matters discussed were the question whether the minimum of school age should be changed; whether there should be training schools for villages and townships; whether there is "a higher education," and "How far can our school system be called a mach ine?" The committee on a course of reading for teachers recommended a 4-year course, and a resolution was adopted that the association take steps to inaugurate among the teachers of Ohio an organization for reading and study, to be known as the Ohio Teachers' Reading Circle, said circle to be under the management of the State Teachers' Association. A committee chosen for the purpose reported resolutions recommending the association to choose a board of control consisting of 8 members, who should select a course of professional and literary reading, issue certificates of progress, and grant diplomas at the completion of the course. The resolutions were adopted and the president appointed the board, after which the association adjourned.

The thirty-fifth annual session of the association, held at Lakeside, Ohio, July 1-3, 1884, was one of the most successful meetings in its history. The attendance was not less than 500, membership tickets numbering 315. The superintendents' section was presided over by Superintendent R. McMillen, chairman of the executive committee. President Andrews delivered an inaugural address and the reading of papers on "How well is the average graduate prepared for life?" and "The old and new in education" followed.

In the general association President E. F. Moulton delivered the inaugural address. Among the subjects presented by others were "Every day difficulties in the school room," "The practical realization of the great end of education," "Ethics in the school room," ""Music in the public schools," and "The value of literary culture to the teacher." E. A. Jones, secretary of the board of control of the Ohio Teachers' Reading Circle, stated the general object and special aims of the circle, as well as its plan of work. He reported over 2,000 members, the greater part of whom had completed the course prescribed for the first year.

CHIEF STATE SCHOOL OFFICER.

Hon. LE ROY D. BROWN, Stale commissioner of common schools, Columbus.

[Term, January 14, 1884, to January 14, 1887.]

(From the report of Hon. B. McElroy, State superintendent of public instruction, for the two years indicated.)

STATE SCHOOL SYSTEM.

GENERAL CONDITION.

The statistics as presented for the two years embraced in the State report show a large and well proportioned increase throughout, although there was a falling off in the school term and in expenditure in 1853-84. Against an increase of only 4,791 in school youth in 1833-84 enrolment increased by 5,973, the per cent. of enrolment

to school youth, 58.43, being a gain of 4.60. In average daily attendance the gain was greater, the increase here being 12,915, making the per cent. of attendance to enrolment 91.55, a gain of 20.03. The shadow across this picture of prosperity is the 24,372 youth of school age not in any school, but this figure is not large, due regard being had to the wide range of school age and the newly settled character of the State. To supply facilities for schooling there were added 75 new districts, 54 school buildings, 46 male and 327 female teachers, $631,096 of school property, and $167,478 to the State school fund.

The State superintendent says that the unsatisfactory results of schools planted in the remote parts of the State and the migratory character of the inhabitants, who move from point to point, have given rise to questions difficult of solution, but of great importance to the permanent school patrons and school officers of remote districts.

ADMINISTRATION.

For the general management of public schools there is a State superintendent of public instruction, elected quadrennially by the people; this officer, the governor, and the secretary of state constitute a State board of education. For counties there are county superintendents of common schools, elected biennially by the voters of the county; for districts, boards of 3 directors, chosen by the voters in the district for 3 years, with annual change of 1, and a district clerk, elected at the same time for 1 year.

District school boards receiving State school funds (which are apportioned on the basis of children of school age) must make report to their county superintendent by the first Monday in March of each year; the county superintendent, on the first Monday in April, to the State superintendent; and he, biennially to the legislature. Uniformity of text books is secured by the State superintendent, who sends to the county superintendents quadrennially a circular naming the required studies. Each county superintendent marks against each study the text book he prefers, and those called for by a majority of the superintendents are selected by the State board and authorized to be used 4 years. Any school district of 10,000 or more inhabitants may have one or more of its common schools taught in the German language on the petition of 100 qualified voters of the district. Widows with children to educate and owning taxable property in the district are entitled to vote at school meetings. Any qualified voter, male or female, is eligible to the office of school director. Sixty days or 12 school weeks constitute a quarter of a school year, making the full school year 240 days.

SCHOOL FINANCES.

The public schools are made free to all youth 4 to 20 years of age in the State through the proceeds of a State school fund, escheats and forfeitures, moneys paid for exemption from military duty, gifts, devises, and bequests for common school purposes, property granted to the State with no specified object, a county tax of 4 mills on $1, and through a tax which district meetings, legally called, may levy on real and personal property in the district.

SCHOOL SYSTEMS OF CITIES WITH 7,500 OR MORE INHABITANTS.

ADMINISTRATION.

Any city or incorporated town of 10,000 or more inhabitants may be organized into a district and elect a board of 3 or more directors, who may employ a superintendent, hire teachers, prescribe courses of study, improve the grading of schools when neces sary, and create a board of examiners to test the qualifications of those to be employed as teachers in said schools. Schools supported by a tax on the district are free to all persons 6 to 21 residing therein, and persons from outside may be admitted on such terms as the district may direct.

SCHOOL OFFICERS OF PORTLAND.

Portland has a board of 5 directors, a school clerk, a city superintendent, and a board of examiners.

STATISTICS AND ADDITIONAL PARTICULARS.

For 1883-84 the city report shows that in a population of 32,000 there were (including 223 Chinese) 6,523 of school age, for whom there were 71 school rooms. The enrolment, 3,864, was an increase of 381 over the last year, and there was an average daily attendance of 2,779. The enrolment was 59.24 per cent. of the school youth, and, with 592 in private and church schools, there were 68.01 per cent. of enumerated youth in school; while 71.88 per cent. of those enrolled were in average daily attendance. The schools were classed as high, grammar, and primary, and were taught by 72 teachers, including the superintendent. An evening school, for boys who are obliged to work during the day, was open 5 evenings a week for 3 months

during the winter, with an attendance of 25 to 30. The directors, within the 2 years included in their report, expended for sites and 3 new school buildings $93,591, of which $54,176 were for a brick high school building, the estimated cost of which, completed, was $114,176.

PREPARATION AND QUALIFICATIONS OF TEACHERS.

STATE REQUIREMENTS FOR TEACHERS' CERTIFICATES.

Persons seeking employment in the public schools of the State must have certiscates of qualification from the State board of education, a county superintendent, or a city board of examination.

The State board grants life diplomas, which entitle the holder to teach in any pub lic school in the State during life; State diplomas, which entitle the holder to teach for 6 years; first grade State certificates, good in any county for 2 years; and second grade, good in any county for 6 months, these certificates being of the same force as those granted by the county superintendents.

Each county superintendent is required to examine, in the branches taught in the common schools, all applicants intending to teach in his county. He may issue only the 2 grades of certificates just mentioned.

STATE NORMAL TRAINING.

The Oregon Normal School, Monmouth, and the Ashland College and Normal School, Ashland, organized by the State in 1882, have courses of study covering apparently 3 years, though this is not made entirely clear at Monmouth, where there is an elementary course of 1 year and a regular course of 2 years, but no positive evidence that the two together constitute what is called in the State law "the required course." Men over 21 and women over 18 years of age, completing this required course in either school and passing an examination approved by the State board of education, receive a State diploma good for 6 years; and, if these years are spent in successful teaching in the State, may have a life diploma from the State board. The school at Monmouth graduated 1 person in 1882-83 and 9 in 1883-84; that at Ashland, apparently with a 3-year course, expected to graduate a class in 1884-'85.

The University of Oregon, Eugene, continued in 1882-83 and 1883-84 its 3-year normal course of English studies, and for the latter year reports a class of 28 against one of 10 the preceding year.

OTHER NORMAL TRAINING.

McMinnville College and Willamette University continue to offer normal instruction in well arranged courses, in the former of 2 years, in the latter of 3. Santiam Academy, Lebanon, and Wasco Academy, The Dalles, are said to offer like instruction.

TEACHERS' INSTITUTES.

The law requires the State superintendent to hold a teachers' institute in each judicial district in the State at least once a year, but makes no provision for them beyond the necessary travelling expenses of the superintendent.

During 1882-83 and 1883-84 one was held in each of the six districts, and in four of them two were apparently held. The work was done largely by the teachers of the counties where the institutes were held. Teachers in the public schools are required to attend at least one teachers' institute a year, held under authority of law in the counties where they reside; and school directors are urged to allow them a reasonable time for such attendance without deducting wages or requiring them to make up time so spent. For non-attendance without sufficient excuse the county superintendent may lower the grade or revoke the certificate of teachers.

SECONDARY INSTRUCTION.

HIGH SCHOOLS.

School districts with 1,000 persons of school age are required to maintain a high school for at least 6 months of the year, in which shall be taught, in addition to the common English branches, such others as the directors of the district may prescribe. The State report, as in preceding years, gives no information as to these schools. In the city of Portland the high school, in 1883-84, enrolled 189, with an average daily attendance of 155. Its courses are English of 3 years and English-Latin and EnglishGerman of 4 years each. The graduating class numbered 24. The only case of discipline was 1 suspension.

OTHER SECONDARY SCHOOLS.

For statistics of private secondary schools and preparatory departments of colleges reporting, see Tables VI and IX of appendix, and summaries of them in the report of the Commissioner preceding.