SECONDARY INSTRUCTION,

PUBLIC HIGH SCHOOLS.

This class of schools is not required by law, but has been established in the larger towns. Yankton, the only one furnishing statistics for 1882-'83, had 1 school building, with 46 sittings for study. The enrolment during the first quarter was 37, with 33 in average daily attendance, but the number fell off considerably before the end of the year, only one being graduated, many of them leaving the high school to enter tho new college. Owing to the advantages of an advanced education from this source, the course was shortened from 4 years to 3.

SUPERIOR INSTRUCTION.

TERRITORIAL UNIVERSITY.

The University of Dakota, Vermillion, organized and opened in 1883, has preparatory and collegiate departments, the former extending over 3 and the latter over 4 years. The collegiate department has 3 courses, classical, scientific, and literary. A 4-year course in normal training is also presented, as before stated, and arrangements are being perfected for thorough instruction in vocal and instrumental music. In 1883-'84 there were 95 students enrolled, under 7 instructors.

By a vote of the regents, Superintendent W. H. H. Beadle was to organize and conduct at the university a normal institute in August, 1884, of which full information is expected in the report for 1884-'85.

SPECIAL INSTRUCTION.

EDUCATION OF THE DEAF AND DUMB.

The Dakota School for Deaf-Mutes, Sioux Falls, founded in 1880, in 1883-'84 had 23 pupils, under 2 instructors, making 28 from the beginning. The common English branches were taught, with penmanship, drawing, and agriculture. The Territory appropriated $12,000 and the expenditures were $4,830 for the year.

CHIEF TERRITORIAL SCHOOL OFFICER.

Hon. W. H. H. BEADLE, territorial superintendent of public instruction, Yankton.
[Third term, 1883 to 1885.]

Then to be succeeded by Hon. A. Sheridan Jones.

(From returns by Hon. E. A. Paul, acting superintendent of public schools, and G. F. T. Cook, superintendent of colored schools.)

DISTRICT SCHOOL SYSTEM.

GENERAL CONDITION.

In the absence of printed reports of the public schools in the District, their general condition can be seen only from the preceding statistics, gathered at the office of the superintendent and certified to by him.

From 1880-1 to 152-3 there was an increase of 1,272 in enrolment, although that of the colored youth fell off by 873; in average daily attendance, a gain of 1,561, thar of colored falling off by 477. In 1882-83 there were 3.295 more sittings than in les-1; 45 more teachers, of whom 12 were colored; expenditure for public schools increased $142,379, while school property seems to have diminished in value $120,533. The gains of 1883-4 over 1882-83 show a continued advance on all material points, there being no decrease worthy of note except of 1,000 in the private and church schools and of $109,994 in expenditure for public schools.

From both white and colored superintendents assurances were received that the schools of both classes were in a prosperous condition.

ADMINISTRATION.

The absence of suffrage in the District of Columbia places the choice of the 9 memrs of the board of trustees, which is the educational authority, in the hands of the

Commissioners of the District. This board annually selects 2 superintendents, who are its chief executive officers, and chooses supervising principals, who act under the supervision of these superintendents; through its committee on teachers, the board of trustees also appoints an examining board composed of the 2 superintendents and an undefined number of supervising principals and principals of public schools. To assign each superintendent to his proper sphere of action, the public schools have been formed into 8 divisions, the first 4 comprising the white schools of Washington, the fifth those of Georgetown, and the sixth the rural schools for both races, over all of which one of the superintendents exercises authority; the seventh and eighth, comprising the colored schools of Washington and Georgetown, are under the control of his colleague.

SCHOOL FINANCES.

To support the system Congress makes an annual appropriation, one-half of which is taken from the amount raised by local taxation and the other from the public funds of the United States. The school age is 6-17. The schools are all graded, with a few exceptions among the rural schools, and each race is taught by instructors of its own color.

PREPARATION AND QUALIFICATIONS OF TEACHERS.

GENERAL DISTRICT REQUIREMENTS.

All examinations of candidates for teachers in the public schools and for promotion are conducted by a board of examiners consisting of the 2 superintendents and others appointed annually by the committee on teachers from the supervising principals and the principals of public schools. The result of such examinations is reported to the committee on teachers, who select such candidates as in their judgment have given evidence of qualification and report their selection and the class of certificate to which the candidates are thought to be entitled to the board of trustees, who proceed to consider the same and determine what candidates may receive certificates and the grade of the certificates.

DISTRICT NORMAL TRAINING.

There are 2 normal schools connected with the public school system of the District, 1 for white teachers, the other for colored. Owing to the non-publication of school reports there is no official information in regard to them at hand. The Miner Training School for Colored Women Teachers is said to have done goo dservice in training teachers for the colored schools of Washington. It is under the care of Miss Lucy Moten, a graduate of these colored schools and more recently of the State Normal School at Salem, Mass.

SECONDARY INSTRUCTION.

PUBLIC HIGH SCHOOLS.

The Washington High School reported for 1882-'83 382 students, including 51 unclassified; and for 1883-'84, 509, including 41 unclassified students, showing an increase of 127 over 1882-83. The courses, each of 3 years, are (1) academic; (2) scientific; (3) business. There is also a special elective course for the first and second years in object drawing, historical ornament, plant forms from nature, projection, and perspective; for the third year, a choice in instrumental drawing, free hand drawing, and design in colors. The graduating class of 1883 numbered 13 young men and 23 young women. In its new quarters, the school has ample accommodations in study and class rooms, and the advantages of a library, lecture and drawing rooms, drill and exhibition halls, and laboratories. Military training, under a United States officer, was among the regular exercises of the school.

The High School for Colored Students is said to have been in successful operation during the year, but no report of it has been published.

OTHER SECONDARY SCHOOLS.

For information respecting business colleges, private academic schools, preparatory schools, or preparatory departments of colleges, see Tables IV, VI, VII, and IX of the appendix; for summaries of them, the report of the Commissioner preceding.

SUPERIOR INSTRUCTION.

COLLEGES FOR YOUNG 'MEN OR FOR BOTH SEXES.

The Georgetown, Columbian, and Howard Universities continued in 1883-84 substantially the same collegiate courses they have heretofore reported. They are all of fair standard and well equipped and officered. Columbian University has been provided with a large and excellent brick building in the heart of Washington, near its medical

department, the law school having a home in the new university building. Howard, through aid from friends, made a beginning of an industrial department in carpentry, tin and sheet iron work, printing, shoemaking, sewing, and cookery, to be enlarged as means may be provided.

Gonzaga College in 1883-'84 had as yet only the beginning of a true collegiate course, preceded by rudimentary and grammar classes, with a non-classical course of undefined length.

In the National Deaf-Mute College the curriculum embraces 5 years, 1 of them introductory. Students desiring to do so may pursue a selected course of 3 years for the degrees of B. S., PH. B., or L. B. The master's degree is conferred on graduates of 3 years' standing who furnish evidence of progress in science, philosophy, literature, or the liberal arts after graduation.

For further information concerning these colleges, see Table IX of the appendix; for summaries of same, the report of the Commissioner preceding.

SCIENTIFIC AND PROFESSIONAL INSTRUCTION.

SCIENTIFIC.

Scientific courses of 3 years, leading to the degree of B. S., continue in the Georgetown and National Deaf-Mute Colleges. In the Columbian University a Corcoran School of Science and Arts has been established, and will open in October, 1884, in the new university building, corner of Fifteenth and H streets. The general course will embrace studies in literature, science, and arts, leading to degrees of bachelor of science, of civil, mechanical, and mining engineer.

PROFESSIONAL.

Theological.-Howard University in 1883-'84 had a well organized theological department (non-sectarian), with Greek and Hebrew for such as are prepared for them, the course requiring 3 years. Its support comes from the American Missionary Association and the Presbytery of Washington City.

Legal. The law departments of Georgetown, Columbian, Howard, and National Universities in 1883-84 continued their 3-year courses of legal instruction, leading to the degree of bachelor of laws; also, additional graduate courses of 1 year, on completion of which the degree of master of laws is conferred. Graduates are admitted to practice at the bar of the District after examination by a committee appointed by the court.

Medical. The National Medical College, medical department of Columbian University, and the medical department of Howard University have each an annual session of 20 weeks, the medical department of the National University (1884) one of about 27 weeks, while the medical department of Georgetown College shows one of 30 weeks. All have 3-year graded courses; all require for admission evidence of qualification for the successful study of medicine; and, for graduation, substantially 3 years of study, attendance on 3 courses of lectures, clinics, anatomy, and dissection, with final satisfactory examinations on all the studies of the course.

Pharmacy.-The National College of Pharmacy, with annual session of about 32 weeks, requires for graduation 2 years of study in chemistry (practical and analytical), toxicology, pharmacy, materia medica, and botany, the degree of doctor of pharmacy being conferred.

SPECIAL INSTRUCTION.

EDUCATION OF THE DEAF AND DUMB.

The Columbia Institution for the Deaf and Dumb, Kendall Green, near Washington, including the Deaf-Mute College, in 1883 had 106 pupils, 40 admitted during the year. Of these 41 were in the college department and 65 in the preparatory. The work of instruction has proceeded as usual. In the intellectual courses the success is said to have been highly satisfactory. Training in articulation has been given to nearly twothirds of the primary department, with very gratifying results. The older pupils have derived great physical benefit from the gymnasium. Such boys as were capable of improving have been taught carpentry and cabinet work.

EDUCATION OF THE BLIND.

As heretofore, the District of Columbia continues to provide for its blind in the Maryland Institution for the Blind.

INDUSTRIAL AND REFORMATORY.

The Associated Charities of the District of Columbia, in July, 1884, at its central office, opened a school for the instruction of girls 12 to 18 years of age in housekeeping. They were taught to build fires, set and wait on tables, wash dishes, sweep and dust,

take care of house, wash and iron, make beds, and sew. Two exhibitions of progress made are said to have given proofs of excellent training and satisfactory results. The same association opened a free Kindergarten, with an average attendance of 20 children 3 to 6 years of age. There was also maintained jointly a kitchen garden and a Kindergarten for a portion of the year.

An industrial school has been supported, the principal going into the streets and picking up the children who were roving about in idleness and filth, and putting them under wholesome influences. This association has paid, in a 6-month term, for the instruction of one class in cookery.

The Metropolitan Industrial School reports in 1883-'84 the introduction, among other industries, of the manufacture of straw goods, with encouraging success. There were 56 girls enrolled in the school. A night school for boys who work during the day is said to have been well attended.

The Reform School of the District of Columbia reported for 1883-84 a total population of 243; committed during the year, 103; discharged, 80; leaving at close of the year 163 inmates. All the younger boys are employed one-half their time in chair caning. The tailoring and shoe departments furnish clothes and shoes for all the inmates. Various other industries receive attention. The schools hold regular sessions throughout the year in rooms provided for the purpose.

The Industrial Home School of the District of Columbia, for both sexes, had, at beginning of 1883-'84, 63 inmates; received during the year, 58; discharged, 44; cared for, 121; found homes for, 22; returned to friends, 18. The schools are under public school control and are said to have made fine progress. Industries are pursued in a carpenter's shop, a greenhouse, and garden. Girls are instructed in house work and sewing, with the prospect of soon having a kitchen garden.

CHILDREN'S HOMES AND ORPHAN ASYLUMS.

Six such homes and asylums reported in 1881-'82 an aggregate of 583 inmates and continued their work in 1883-84.

For information as to these institutions, see Table XXII of the appendix; for a summary of same, the report of the Commissioner preceding.

TRAINING IN ART AND MUSIC.

So far as known, the enterprising art schools of Mr. W. M. Rouzee, Mr. Edmund C. Messer, Mrs. S. E. Fuller, and Mrs. I. R. Morrelle, reported in 1881-82, continue their work, though no official report from any of them has been received at this Office for 1883-84. The same is true of the Washington Conservatory of Music, Mr. O. B. Bullard; the School of Music of Mr. Theo. Ingalls King; and the Georgetown Conservatory of Music.

EDUCATIONAL CONVENTIONS.

TEACHERS' ASSOCIATIONS.

A voluntary association of the graduates of the Normal School for White Students meets once a month to compare experiences in government and teaching.

CHIEF DISTRICT SCHOOL OFFICERS.

Hon. J. ORMOND WILSON, superintendent of public schools for white pupils in Washington and Georgetown, and of the schools for both races in the rural districts, holds office till 1885.

Hon. GEORGE F. T. Cook is superintendent of the public schools for colored pupils in Washington and Georgetown.

[Mr. Wilson is to be succeeded by Mr. W. B. Powell in 1885.]