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cause after a hearing upon approval of two-thirds of State board, hold teachers' institutes in each county five days each year, print and distribute annually a teachers' manual of institute work, a programme for the proper observance of arbor day, proceedings of State teachers' association, and such other matter as will promote public education.

County board. The governor, with the advice and consent of the senate if in session, shall appoint a board of county school commissioners in each county (none to be teachers employed as such). In the counties of Baltimore, Carroll, Frederick, Dorchester, and Washington such board shall consist of six persons; in other counties three. Two in counties named and one in other counties to be appointed every two years, to hold office six years; two in counties named and one in other counties to be appointed from the political party which cast next to the highest vote in the last preceding election for governor. The governor may remove for cause after an opportunity for a hearing. Each vacancy shall be filled from same political party as was the last preceding occupant. The commissioners shall elect a county examiner (which see) not a member of the board, who shall act also as its secretary and treasurer. In counties of more than 85 schools board may appoint an assistant examiner and fix his salary. The board shall meet at least once in every school term. Each commissioner shall receive $4 a day while employed, not to exceed $100 in any year. The board is a body corporate, in which is vested county school property, and each commissioner (and examiners and assistants) has authority to administer oaths relative to school matters. The commissioners shall have general supervision and control of schools, build, repair, and furnish schoolhouses, purchase and distribute text-books, divide county into suitable districts (none less than 4 miles square unless thinly settled), making each best accommodate population therein, considering most suitable sites for schoolhouses and the general features of the country; publish in November annually a statement of receipts and disbursements, including text-book account, and inclose copy of same in board's annual report (by October 1) to State board covering all matters affecting the educational interests of the county. (See also Schools-Buildings.)

County examiner.-Shall visit each school at least three times a year, or twice a year in counties having more than 50 schools, and each high school at least once each term; observe methods of teachers and give them such practical suggestions as circumstances prompt; attend public examinations (see SchoolsStudies) when possible; report quarterly in detail to the county board the result of his observations. As secretary and treasurer of county board (see preceding paragraph) he is custodian of the county's school funds, and shall carefully keep all moneys and vouchers relating thereto, for the faithful performance of which he shall give bond in a sum to be determined by the board. He shall be present at all board meetings, may debate questions before them, but not vote, shall keep minutes, conduct correspondence, file and keep all letters and papers pertaining to board's business, and shall prepare for board's approval their annual report to State board of education. By January 15 each year he shall notify the comptroller how many months the schools of his county have been kept open. (See Schools-Scholastic periods; Finances-State tax.) He shall devote his whole time to public-school business, and receive such compensation as county board may direct. (See also Teachers-Certificates.)

District school trustees.-The board of county school commissioners annually on May 1 or at their first meeting thereafter shall appoint three persons in each district as school trustees, who shall have the care of schoolhouses, lands, furniture, apparatus, and other school property; make repairs, same to be paid for out of county school tax, amount to be expended having been first determined by the county board; employ teachers, subject to confirmation by the county board; exercise general supervision over schools of their district, visiting them frequently, and providing for ten months' instruction a year if possible; suspend or expel pupils for cause, from which action appeal may be taken to county board; see that every schoolhouse is provided with suitable outhouses. The county board may remove the trustees for neglect of duty. If found impossible to secure competent persons in any district to act as trustees, their duties shall devolve upon the county board.

Baltimore. The mayor and city council of Baltimore shall have power to establish in said city a system of free public schools, and may delegate supervisory powers to a board of school commissioners. Said commissioners bear a general relation to the provisions of law similar to that of county school commissioners.

2. TEACHERS.

Certificates--Appointment and duties—Institutes-Associations—Training—

Pensions.

Certificates.-No person shall be employed as teacher unless he holds a certificate from the county examiner or State board or a diploma from the State normal school. The county examiner shall examine candidates, in the presence of at least one member of the county or district board, and issue certificates (sanctioned by county board) to those found qualified, setting forth the branches that they are qualified to teach. No certificate shall be issued to any man under 19 or woman under 18 years of age, nor to any without satisfactory evidence of the moral character of the applicant. Applicants for second-grade certificates shall be examined in orthography, reading, writing, arithmetic, geography, history, English grammar [history and constitutions of Maryland and of the United States, physiology, algebra to quadratics, one book of plane geometry (Wentworth or equivalent), theory and practice of teaching, and the laws and by-laws of the Maryland public school system]; a for first grade are added [general history, plane geometry, and algebra complete,]a bookkeeping and natural philosophy. Probationary certificates shall be issued good for six months; but when the examiner shall satisfy himself of such teacher's fitness to govern a school and ability to impart instruction in the various branches he may issue a certificate which shall continue in force for five years. County school commissioners may annul certificates for cause after due notice and opportunity for hearing, from whose action appeal may be taken to State board. Any person who has taught seven years (five of which in Maryland) and holds a first-grade certificate or the diploma of a respectable college or State normal school may apply to the State board for a life certificate, which, however, if granted, may be annulled by said board for cause. Examiners shall not, under penalty of dismissal, charge fees for conducting examinations.

Appointment and duties.-Teachers shall be appointed by the board of district school trustees, subject to confirmation by the county school commissioners. The trustees may remove, at any time they think proper, after thirty days' notice in writing, but shall furnish in writing, when requested by such teacher, the reasons for dismissal, and the teacher may appeal to the county board. Teachers shall make to the county board quarterly reports of attendance, textbooks used, branches taught, and other statistics required, and shall not be entitled to pay until such report shall be so made. County school commissioners fix teachers' salaries.

Institutes.-Teachers' institutes shall be held in each county five days each year; place to be determined by the president of the county board, the time by the principal of the State normal, the county examiner to notify teachers of time and place. Institutes designed as temporary normal schools shall be presided over by the principal or one of the professors of the State normal, assisted by the county examiner and any member of the county board who may choose to be present.

Associations.-District, county, and State teachers' associations are recommended as important means of elevating the standard of public education by mutual conference, interchange of views, and suggestions as to systems of teaching and discipline. The county examiner shall aid in the organization of such associations, encourage attendance, secure competent lecturers, and impart such information as will stimulate teachers in their work and better fit them for their duties. Teachers' associations may occupy schoolhouses. The Maryland State Teachers' Association is an incorporated body, with power to organize and direct reading circles; to members completing the course of study covering one, two, or three years certificates are issued setting forth the respective facts; to such members as shall satisfactorily complete the full four-year course the association may grant the honorary degree of master of the science of teaching; to teachers of learning, merit, and acknowledged professional skill the association may, with the advice and consent of the State board of education, grant the honorary degree of doctor of pedagogy.

Training. (See Schools-Normal.)

Pensions. Whenever any person has taught twenty-five years in the public or normal schools of the State, has a record without reproach, has reached the

Added by the State board under the law providing "But the State board of education may add further requirements whenever the same may seem necessary."

age of 60 years, and by reason of physical or mental infirmity is unable to teach longer, he may lay his case before the State board of education, who, after due investigation, may place such teacher's name upon the teachers' retired list. Every person so placed upon said list shall be entitled to receive from the State a pension of $200 per annum, payable quarterly, for which purpose there is a standing appropriation of $10,000 a year.

3. SCHOOLS.

Miscellaneous

provisions-Attendance-Scholastic books-Buildings and grounds-High Schools for colored children-Normal schools.

periods-Studies-Text

schools-Manual-training schools—

Miscellaneous provisions.-Whenever the average attendance of a school is more than 40 an assistant may be employed, and for every additional 40 another teacher may be appointed, dividing pupils so as to form a graded school; whenever attendance exceeds 100, county board and trustees may establish schools of different grades or divide the district. Whenever the average attendance for two consecutive terms is less than 10 (7 in Allegany County), the county board may close the school, or else the trustees may keep the school open in part at the expense of the district, and shall receive their proportion of the school fund for said school, rating a full attendance of 20 scholars. Any person who shall be convicted of disturbing any public school in session shall incur a fine of $20 (payable to the trustees for benefit of the school district) or imprisonment not exceeding thirty days, or both.

Attendance. All white youths (see Schools for colored children) between the ages of 6 and 21 shall be admitted into the public schools. Where there are graded schools the teachers and trustees shall determine which school pupils may attend. Children living remote from the school of their own district may attend in an adjoining district by consent of both school boards. Schools on or near county lines shall be free to children from either county and be maintained jointly by both county boards. (See also preceding paragraph.)

Scholastic periods.-The school year is divided into four terms-fall, winter, spring, and summer. Times of beginning and closing each term shall be regulated by the county board, so as to aggregate ten months of school each year if possible. (See Finances-State tax.) Schools shall be kept open six hours each week day, except Saturday, during such hours as may be determined by the several county boards. The school fiscal year ends July 31.

Studies. In every school shall be taught orthography, reading, writing, English grammar, geography, arithmetic, history and constitutions of the United States and Maryland, civil government, good behavior, algebra, bookkeeping, natural philosophy, vocal music, drawing, physiology, the laws of health, and domestic economy. The elements of agricultural science may be added by the State board. County boards may cause German to be taught in districts of large German population. In connection with physiology and hygiene special instructions shall be given as to the nature and effects of alcoholic drinks and narcotics. Public examinations shall be held in each school twice a year, of which due notice shall be given, that parents and others may attend. (See also Teachers-Certificates.)

Text-books.-Boards of county school commissioners shall adopt text-books, purchase, after inviting competition, and loan them to pupils without charge under proper regulations for their care. Change to free books to be made gradually as new books are needed, beginning with first grade; no board being required to expend more for such books than the county's pro rata of a standing appropriation of $150,000 a year: Provided, That indigent pupils in all grades shall receive free books. Parents or pupils who desire may purchase their own books. Any book or series may be changed at the option of the county board. County boards shall report annually to State board the title, publisher, and net cost of each book so purchased, which information shall appear in State board's annual report. No book shall contain anything of a sectarian or partisan character.

Buildings and grounds.-The boards of county school commissioners shall select sites for location or change of schoolhouses. They may receive donations of such sites, or of houses already built adapted to school purposes or suitably located, or may purchase same. Where property proves unsuited for school purposes board may sell or lease it and apply proceeds to purchase or lease of

property more suitable. If the county board be unable to agree with owners for purchase of lands for location or enlargement of schoolhouse lots, condemnation proceedings may be instituted for same, not to exceed a total area of 1 acre. Schoo.houses shall be built and furnished according to plans issued from office of county board. Shall not be used for other than school purposes except by consent of said board. District trustees shall see that every schoolhouse is provided with suitable outbuildings. In Washington County no bituminous coal other than lump shall be used, except in a furnace or other heating system wherein coal is burned outside of schoolroom.

High schools.-A district, one or more contiguous districts, or a county, may establish a high school, which, after the building has been provided, shall be maintained by the county board, and teachers' salaries be paid out of the general school fund. If a high school be established by a district or districts, the county board of school commissioners shall appoint three persons who shall constitute a board of high school commissioners and exercise over such school the authority of district school trustees (which see, under Organization); but high schools established by counties shall be under the direct control of the county board. Each high school shall be visited annually by the principal or a professor of the State normal school, and at least once each term by the county examiner. Military tactics may, if practicable, form a department in high schools. (See also Manual training schools.)

Manual training schools.-When a suitable building or room or rooms connected with one or more of the large graded or high schools shall be provided by the county, the board of school commissioners may accept the same and provide for the maintenance of a manual training school or department. When the establishment of a manual training school has been reported to the State board they shall appoint the principal or a teacher of the State normal school to visit the same and give a certificate of approval, upon which certificate the State shall pay toward the maintenance of such school $50 annually per scholar in average daily attendance, not to exceed $1,500 a year to any county. By August 20 each year the county board shall report to the comptroller the condition of such schools, number of instructors, and number of pupils enrolled. The State superintendent shall provide an outline for, supervise, and inspect the work done at such schools, and certify to the comptroller by August 20 annually such as have complied with requirements and are entitled to appropriations for the ensuing year, and how much; he shall also report to State board all matters pertaining to manual training in such counties.

Schools for colored children.-Shall be established in each district affording an average attendance of not less than 15, under direction of a special board of trustes appointed by county board, and subject to same general laws as schools for white children. Appropriations for colored schools shall be apportioned per population between 5 and 20 years; taxes paid for school purposes by colored people of any county shall be devoted to said schools therein. Industrial schools for colored may be established and maintained under like provisions as for white youths. (See Manual training schools.)

Normal schools.-There shall be located in Baltimore (another at Frostburg) a State normal school for the instruction and practice of teachers in the science of education, the art of teaching, and the mode of governing schools. It shall be under the control of the State board of education, who shall appoint a principal (at $2,500 per annum) and as many teachers and at such salaries as the board may determine, prescribe courses of study, and fix the length of session at not less than nine months in each year. Free scholarships (including use of books) shall be apportioned by State board according to representation in general assembly, students to be selected by the several county boards; applicants shall procure certificate of the county examiner or city superintendent as to their scholastic proficiency, and shall signify in writing their purpose to engage in teaching within the State, upon failure to fulfill which condition they shall forfeit $30 for each session they may have attended the normal school, to be collected as other debts. The number of such students sent by the State shall not exceed 200, in addition to whom, in the ratio to them of 1 to 2 and until all vacancies in the school have been filled, there may be admitted other persons having the requisite qualifications, who shall pay $25 per session and purchase their own text-books. The State board shall make provision for model and experimental primary and grammar schools, in which normal school students shall have opportunity to practice best modes of instruction and discipline. Salaries of teachers in such model schools shall be paid in part from tuition fees derived from pupils attending same.

4. FINANCES.

State tax-County tax.

State tax.-A State tax of 10 cents on each $100 of taxable property throughout the State shall be levied annually for the support of the free public schools, and be collected at the same time and by same agents as the general State levy. On the 1st day of January and October and the 15th day of March and June the treasurer shall pay to the counties the amount to which each is entitled according to population from 5 to 20 years of age. But if in any county the schools have been kept open less than seven and a half months of the year ended December 31, the March installment of State school tax shall be withheld. (See also Schools-Scholastic periods; Organization-County examiner, District school trustees.)

County tax.-If, in apportioning the State school tax among the several counties, the share of any county shall prove inadequate to pay the salaries of teachers therein and provide school books and stationery for the children, then the county commissioners of such county are required to levy and collect such a tax upon the assessable property therein as the board of county school commissioners shall designate as sufficient to make good the deficiency, not to exceed 10 cents on $100 unless the county commissioners shall sanction an additional tax. Moneys collected in any district by special taxation for school purposes shall be used only for the purposes originally intended. (See also Schools-Buildings and grounds.)

MASSACHUSETTS.

1. ORGANIZATION OF THE SYSTEM.

State board of education-Secretary of the State board of education—Agents of the State board of education-Commissioners of the State school fund—– Town school committee-Town superintendent-Truant officer.

State board of education.-The board of education shall consist of the governor and lieutenant-governor, ex officio, and eight other persons, one of whom shall annually in May be appointed by the governor, with the advice and consent of the council, for a term of eight years. The board may annually expend not more than $2,300 for clerical and messenger service, which, with the incidental expenses of the board and the expenses of the members thereof incurred in the performance of their official duties, shall be paid by the Commonwealth. The board may take and hold, in trust for the Commonwealth, a grant or devise of land, or a gift or bequest of money or other personal property made to it for educational purposes; and shall forthwith pay it over or deliver it to the treasurer and receiver-general, who shall invest such money in the name of the Commonwealth and, on the warrant of the governor, pay to the board the income or principal thereof, as it shall require; but no disposition shall be made of any gift, bequest, or devise which is inconsistent with its conditions or terms. The State board of education shall prescribe the form of census, of registers to be kept in the public schools, and of returns to be made by school committees ; shall annually make to the general court a report containing a printed abstract of said returns and a detailed report of all the doings of the board, with observations upon the condition and efficiency of the system of public education and suggestions in regard to the most practicable means of improving and extending it. The board shall have the general management of the State normal schools and the boarding houses connected therewith, and money appropriated for their maintenance may be expended under its direction.

Secretary of the board of education. The board may appoint a secretary, who, under its direction, shall make the abstract of school returns required by law, shall collect and distribute information respecting the condition and efficiency of the public schools and other means of popular education, and the best system of studies and the best method of instruction; shall suggest improvements in the present system of public schools to the board and to the general court; shall visit, as often as his other duties will permit, different parts of the Commonwealth for the purpose of arousing and guiding public sentiment in relation to the practical interests of education; shall collect in his office such school books, apparatus, maps and charts as can be obtained without expense to

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