1919, three years; October 1, 1921, four years) of high school work; or by earning 36, 54 and 72 counts, respectively, in Regents examinations at 75 per cent or above.

Nurse Student Certificate. This certificate may be secured in either one of the following ways:

I. On the evidence of the satisfactory completion of one year of approved high school work or the equivalent.

2. By passing at 75 per cent or above in each subject Regents examinations aggregating 18 counts.

REVIEW QUESTIONS

What was the first educational institution created by the State? When was it created? Trace its development historically. What change was made in the organization in 1889? In 1894? In 1904? In 1913?

What are the chief powers of the University? What officers has it? What are their duties? What is the authority of the University in relation to institutions which have been chartered? What steps are necessary before an institution may be chartered? What institution may confer degrees? What prohibition is made by law in relation to institutions using the name college or university? Before an institution can be authorized under the University law to confer degrees what must its resources be? What act under the University law is a felony? What acts are misdemeanors? Name the credentials issued by the University? What is a pass card? What is meant by the term count? What is a preliminary certificate? academic diploma? What must candidates do to obtain a medical-student, dental-student, or a veterinary-student certificate? A law-student certificate? Other certificates?

An

CHAPTER II

STATE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT

[Article 2]

Historical Sketch.— The Department of the State Government which is charged with the supervision of all public education is now called the University of the State of New York. It is located in the State Education Building at Albany. This institution was established by act of the Legislature in 1784, and since that date there has been a department or departments of the State Government under different names which have been charged with the function of administering the educational interests of the State. The Unification Act of 1904 created the Education Department. By Regents' ordinance adopted in 1913, power was conferred upon the University of the State of New York to administer the powers and functions of the Education Department. The University of the State of New York is, therefore, charged with the general management and supervision of all public schools and educational institutions and of all general educational work of the State.

Maintenance of Schools - Constitutional Provision.- The Constitution contains but one provision in relation to the maintenance of a public school system. This provision is a clear, simple mandate which requires the Legislature to provide for the maintenance and support of a system of free common schools wherein all the children of the State may be educated. The language of the Constitution is as follows:

ARTICLE IX

Common Schools. Section 1. The Legislature shall provide for the maintenance and support of a system of free common schools, wherein all the children of this State may be educated.

The University has been organized and its work classified as follows:

BOARD OF REGENTS

General Powers.-The Board of Regents has, subject to the laws of the State, legislative control over the Education Department and State educational policies and such board also exercises all the powers of the University of the State of New York. It approves all appointments made by the Commissioner of Education, and fills any vacancy that may exist in the office of Commissioner of Education.

It gives direction to the work related to admission to the learned professions, to the management of the State library and the scientific work of the State, and to other educational work sustained by the State outside of teaching institutions.

Number. The law provides that there shall always be three more regents than there are judicial districts in the State. As there are nine judicial districts at present, there must be twelve regents.

Election. One regent is chosen on joint ballot of the assembly and the senate during the second week in February each year.

Term. As one regent is chosen each year and as the number of regents is twelve, the term of a regent is twelve years.

Vacancies - How Filled. If a vacancy on the Board of Regents occurs in a judicial district which should still have a representative on the Board of Regents and there shall be at the time of such vacancy a district not represented on such board, such vacancy must be filled by the election of a regent residing in such unrepresented district.

If a vacancy in the office of regent occurs for other cause than expiration of term of office, such vacancy shall be filled for the unexpired term by the legislature if it is in session, and if it is not in session such vacancy shall be filled at the session of the legislature immediately following.

President of University and Commissioner of Education.The President of University and Commissioner of Education has executive direction over the affairs of the Education Department and is the general advisory and supervisory officer of the entire State educational system. Chapter III of this work is devoted. exclusively to his election, powers, duties, etc.

Deputy and Assistant Commissioners of Education. There are three assistant commissioners of education. These assistant

commissioners exercise the functions of the Commissioner of Education in their respective fields, under his general direction. The Commissioner of Education has designated the Counsel of the University as Deputy Commissioner of Education. These officers are officially designated as follows: Deputy Commissioner and Counsel, Assistant Commissioner and Director for Professional Education, Assistant Commissioner for Secondary Education and Assistant Commissioner for Elementary Education.

Chiefs of Divisions.— The Regents on the recommendation of the Commissioner of Education classifies the administrative and clerical work of the Department into divisions. The Commissioner of Education on approval of the Regents appoints a chief or director in charge of each division. Chiefs or directors of divisions are directly responsible to the Commissioner of Education. There are twelve of these divisions.

Director of State Library. This Division has charge of the State Library and the library school. The State Library was established in 1818. It was placed under the trusteeship of the various State officials. In 1844 it was placed under the custody of the Regents of the University, and in 1899 was made a part of the University.

Director of State Museum. The work of this division embraces investigations in natural science, the economic and industrial applications of such science, and the State Museum. It also embraces the work of the State geologist and paleontologist, the State botanist, State entomologist, mineralogist, zoologist and archeologist.

Director of Agricultural and Industrial Education. This division has general charge of all branches of industrial education, including trade schools, industrial schools, courses in home-making and in agriculture.

Division of History and Public Records.-The office of the State Historian is a part of the Education Department and the duties formerly devolving on that officer are now performed through this Division. The division created by the Legislature of 1911 and known as the "Public Records Division" was abolished by the Legislature of 1915 and the functions of that division were merged with the Division of History.

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Director of Examinations and Inspections.- This division has charge of all examinations conducted by the Education Department and also has supervision of the inspection of the educational institutions of the State. The work of the Examinations Division and the Inspections Division was coordinated by action of the Board of Regents in April, 1915.

The propriety of holding Regents examinations was first suggested in 1828. It was not, however, until June, 1864, that regulations were prescribed for holding examinations in preliminary subjects. The first examination was held in June, 1865, and included the subjects of arithmetic, geography, grammar, reading, writing, and spelling. In 1878, examinations were established in 20 advanced academic subjects. The number of subjects has gradually increased until it is now more than 100.

(a) Law Examinations.- Examinations for admission to the bar are conducted by a State board of examiners under the direction of the Court of Appeals. The Department has nothing to do with these examinations. Law students, before entering upon the study of law, must offer certain preliminary educational qualifications prescribed by the Court of Appeals. The examinations by which these qualifications are determined are under the direction of the Department. It is also authorized to accept the completion of certain higher courses of study as a substitute for these examinations.

(b) Medical Examinations.- A certain amount of general education is required of all persons beginning the study of medicine. The University has supervision of the preliminary medical-student examinations, and is also the sole authority to issue licenses for the practice of medicine in the State. The examinations for candidates who desire to practice medicine are under the direction of boards of medical examiners appointed by the Regents. The members of these boards are leading physicians from various parts of the State. Since 1890 the authority to indorse diplomas or licenses of physicians from other States or countries has been vested in the Department. Previous to this date such authority was possessed by each of the medical colleges of the State.

(c) Other Professional Examinations. This division has charge also of the examinations for candidates who desire licenses to practice dentistry, pharmacy, optometry and veterinary medicine in the State, and also to practice as public expert accountants, or