USA > Missouri > St Louis County > St Louis City > Education in Indiana. An outline of the growth of the common school system, together with statements relating to the condition of secondary and higher education in the state and a brief history of the educational exhibit. Prepared for the Louisiana purchase exposition, held at Saint Louis, May 1 to November 30, 1904 > Part 12
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10. Describe the experimental work done in the study of ONE of the following topics: Mathematical prodigies, telegraphic language, the psycho- logy of reading, fatigue, curves of mental activity, visual imagery, suggestibility of children, or hypno- tism1.
NOTICE .- The state board of education, at its meeting March 22, 1895, resolved that it reserve the right to call before it any applicant for life state or professional license for oral examination in addition to the written examination based upon the questions herewith submitted.
12. PROFESSIONAL TRAINING.
a. INDIANA UNIVERSITY.
Probably the earliest attempt at professional training for teach- ers was that made by the board of trustees of Indiana university in 1839, when it was proposed to establish a professorship to prepare teachers for the common schools. There was no available fund for the work and nothing was accomplished. Another similar attempt was made in 1847 which was also unsnecessful. In 1852 the university trustees opened a normal school in connection with
the preparatory department. This department was sustained at intervals more or less successful till 1873, when it was abandoned. Nothing of permanent value was attempted till 1886. when the department of pedagogy was established. This department has always been strong, and today has some of the recognized educa- tional leaders in the state as professors.
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EDUCATION IN INDIANA.
1. STATE NORMAL SCHOOL.
The discussion in regard to the establishment of a state normal school began early. There was a wide diversity of opinion as to the wisdom of such an institution and it was not till 1865 that the general assembly saw fit to make provision for one. In his report in 1866 State Superintendent Hoss, after stating what the legis- lature had done in regard to a state normal, makes a labored attempt to justify the act. The idea of this school from the beginning was that it should be distinctly professional, and it has never departed from this notion. It has always made a distinction between merely training teachers in the mechanical manipulation of devices, and practice based upon an understanding of funda- mental pedagogical principles. This last thing the school has striven to do, and any distinct merit it may possess is due to this fact. The school was opened in January, 1870, and from that day to this has grown in efficiency. The state has equipped the institu- tion well and the substantial encouragement which it received at the hands of the last general assembly has given it new life and m'ade it possible to realize some long cherished plans. It is now equipped to meet the demands for well prepared teachers in every department of public school work.
c. CITY TRAINING SCHOOLS.
A number of the larger cities in the state sustain training schools in connection with the city systems. In these high school graduates are given a course of training under professional super- visors before they are given regular places as teachers in the schools.
d. INDEPENDENT COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES.
The independent colleges and universities of the state in most instances offer courses for teachers in various academic branches and in pedagogy. The tendency is toward the equipment of strong pedagogical departments.
e. INDEPENDENT NORMALS.
Indiana has a number of very strong independent normal schools which offer training to teachers. Most of these schools are well equipped and do strong work both in theory and practice.
116
EDUCATION IN INDIANA.
f. THE COUNTY INSTITUTE.
One of the strongest factors in professional training of teachers is the county institute. It has had an interesting development in Indiana and is at the present time in a transition stage. Educators in the state are working at the problem and it is hoped that some- thing may be done to make the institute at once more professional and more practical. At present the institute is held in each county annually for one week. Instructors are employed and the work takes a wide range in topics discussed. The work may be said to be inspirational, cultural, professional and practical.
g. TOWNSHIP INSTITUTE.
Probably the most efficient work is done in the township insti- tute. At least it is here that the largest number of teachers do systematic work looking toward better teaching. The state depart- ment of public instruction prepares each year a careful outline of the work that is to be done in the township institute and the county superintendent organizes the institutes and sees that the work is done. Every teacher in the township schools attends these insti- tutes one day each month and has some personal work to do.
h. TEACHERS' READING CIRCLE.
The reading circle board selects each year two books which form part of the work outlined for the township institute. These books are generally professional and cultural and each township teacher is required to own them and study them.
i. TEACHERS' ASSOCIATIONS.
In addition to the above forces for professional training the asso- ciations may be mentioned. There is first the state teachers' association, which meets annually during the Christmas holiday at Indianapolis. Next there are the northern and southern Indiana associations, which meet annually during the spring vacation. Then there is the county association, which holds an annual meet- ing of two days, generally at the Thanksgiving holiday. All of these forces contribute to and keep alive the professional spirit among teachers. There never was a time in the state when there was larger professional zeal or larger determination to place the calling upon a higher plane every way.
VII. COMPULSORY EDUCATION.
A. THE LAW.
4. CHILDREN BETWEEN THE AGES OF SEVEN AND FOURTEEN YEARS MUST ATTEND SCHOOL.
The Law .- Every parent, guardian, or other person in the state of Indiana, having control or charge of any child or children between the ages of seven (7) and fourteen (14) years, inclusive, shall be required to send such child or children to a public, private or parochial school or to two or all [more] of these schools, each school year, for a term or period not less than that of the public schools of the school corporation where the child or children reside: Provided, That no child in good mental and physical condition shall for any cause, any rule of law to the contrary. be precluded from attending schools when such school is in session.
1. COUNTY TRUANT OFFICERS-DUTIES-MISDEMEANOR.
The county board of education of each county shall constitute a board of truancy whose duty it shall be to appoint on the first Monday in May of each year one truant officer in each county. The truant officer shall see that the provisions of this act are complied with, and when from per- sonal knowledge or by report or complaint from any resident or teacher of the township under his supervision, he believes that any child subject to the provisions of this act is habitually tardy or absent from school. he shall immediately give written notice to the parent, guardian, or custodian of such child that the attendance of such child at school is required, and if within five (5) days such parent, guardian or custodian of said child does not comply with the provisions of this section, then such truant officer shall make complaint against such parent, guardian or cus- todian of such child in any court of record for violation of the provisions of this act: Provided. That only one notice shall be required for any child in any one year. Any such parent, guardian or custodian of child who shall violate the provisions of this act shall be adjudged guilty of a misdemeanor and upon conviction thereof shall be fined in any sum not less than five ($5.00) nor more than twenty-five dollars ($25.00), to which may be added, in the discretion of the court, imprisonment in the county jail not less than two nor more than ninety days.
c. TRUANT OFFICERS IN CITIES AND TOWNS.
A city having a school enumeration of five thousand or more children. or two or more cities and towns in any county having a combined school enumeration of five thousand or more, may, in the discretion of the county
(117)
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EDUCATION IN INDIANA.
board of truancy, constitute a separate district for the administration of this act. Cities containing a school enumeration of ten thousand children or less shall have but one truant officer. Cities containing a school enu meration of more than ten thousand and less than twenty thousand chil- dren shall have two truant officers. Cities containing a school enumera- tion of twenty thousand and less than thirty thousand shall have three truant officers. Cities containing a school enumeration of thirty thousand and less than forty thousand children may have four truant officers. Cities containing a school enumeration of more than forty thousand chil- dren may have five truant officers to be selected by the board of school commissioners. The truant officers of cities and such separate districts shall enforce the provisions of this act in the manner and under such penalties as are prescribed by section 2 of this act. Truant officers of cities mentioned in this section shall be appointed by the board of school trustees or board of school commissioners, respectively, of the city.
d. SALARY OF TRUANT OFFICER.
The truant officers shall receive from the county treasury two [dollars] ($2) for each day of actual service, to be paid by the county treasurer upon warrant signed by the county auditor: Provided. That no county auditor shall issue a warrant upon the county treasury for such service until the truant officer shall have filed an itemized statement of time employed in such service; and such statement shall have been certified to by the super- intendent or superintendents of schools of the corporation or corporations in which such truant officer is employed and such claim have been allowed by the board of county commissioners: Provided, further, That no truant officer shall receive pay for more days than the average length of school term, in the county, cities or towns under his supervision.
e. REPORTS MUST BE MADE BY SCHOOL OFFICIALS.
All school officers and teachers are hereby required to make and fur- nish all reports that may be required by the superintendent of public instruction, by the board of state truancy or the truant officer, with ref- erence to the workings of this act.
f. POOR CHILDREN ASSISTED.
If any parent, guardian or custodian of any child or children is too poor to furnish such child or children with the necessary books and clothing with which to attend school, then the school trustee of the town- ship. or the board of school trustees or commissioners of the city or in- corporated town where such parent, guardian or custodian resides shall furnish temporary aid for such purpose, to sneh child or children, which aid shall be allowed and paid upon the certificate of such officers by the board of county commissioners of said county. Such township trustee, or board of school trustees, or commissioners shall at once make out and tile with the auditor of the county a full list of the children so aided. and the board of county commissioners at their next regular meeting, shall investigate such cases and make such provision for such child or children as will enable them to continue in school as intended by this act.
119
EDUCATION IN INDIANA.
g. PARENTAL HOMES FOR INCORRIGIBLE CHILDREN.
School commissioners, trustees and boards of trustees are empowered to maintain, either within or without the corporate limits of their cor- porations, a separate school for incorrigible and truant children. Any child or children who shall be truant or incorrigible may be compelled to attend such separate school for an indeterminate time.
h. CONFIRMED TRUANTS-SENT TO REFORM SCHOOLS.
Any child who absents itself from school habitually may be adjudged a confirmed truant by the truant officer and superintendent of the schools of the county or city. Such confirmed truant may be sentenced by the judge of the circuit court to the Indiana Boys' School, if a boy, or the industrial school for girls, if a girl, provided its age is within the limits set for admission to such institution. If deemed advisable by said judge. such incorrigible child or children may be sent to such other custodial institution within the state as may be designated by him. For its main- tenance in such custodial institution, the school corporation in which it resides shall pay at the legal rate for supporting dependent children, twenty-five (25) cents per day, with such expenses of transportation as are necessary.
i. TAX FOR EXECUTING COMPULSORY EDUCATION LAW.
For the defraying of the increased expenditure necessary for the carry- ing out of the purposes of this aet trustees of school townships, boards of school trustees or commissioners of cities and towns and boards of school commissioners are hereby empowered to levy in addition to any and all sums heretofore provided by law, any amount of special school revenue not exceeding ten (10) cents on the hundred (100) dollars of tax- able property, such taxes to be levied and collected as all other special school revenue.
j. ENUMERATION OF CHILDREN.
In order that the provisions of this act may be more definitely en- forced it is hereby provided that the enumerators of school children in taking the annual school census shall ascertain and record the place and date of birth of every child enumerated, and the parent, guardian or custodian of such child shall subscribe and take oath or affirmation that such record is true. The enumerator is hereby empowered to administer such oath or affirmation, and any parent, guardian or custodian of any child who shall refuse to take such oath or affirmation shall be adjudged guilty of a misdemeanor and upon conviction thereof shall be fined any sum not less than one dollar ($1.00).
k. NAMES OF CHILDREN FURNISHED TRUANT OFFICER.
On the first day of school the trustees, boards of trustees. or com- missioners of school corporations, shall furnish the truant officer with the names of the children of compulsory age who are enumerated on the
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EDUCATION IN INDIANA.
regular enumeration lists. These names shall be alphabetically arranged and give all the information contained in the regular enumeration returns. The county commissioners shall provide necessary postage and such blanks as may be required by the state board of truancy or the state superintendent of public instruction.
B. STATISTICS ON TRUANCY.
Truaney is the primary school of crime, This is the substance of the testimony of the judges of many juvenile courts. Since the establishment of children's courts in one after another of our larger cities, it has been found that most of the cases of juvenile delinquency began with truancy. A well-executed compulsory education law is of the greatest value as a preventive of crime. Since the enactment of the first truancy law in this state, in 1897, the results have been noteworthy. The reports of all of the truant officers for the last year have been compiled and the information gathered from them is as interesting as that of the preceding years.
The law provides for the appointment of one truant officer in each county, with additional officers in counties having large cities. This results in one officer in each of eighty-one counties, two in seven counties and three in three counties, while in Marion county the city of Indianapolis has five officers and the county one. Through the efforts of these 110 officials, 23,267 children were brought into school during the 1902-1903 term-22,135 to the public schools and 1,132 to the private or parochial institu- tions. This was accomplished at a financial outlay of $19,209.91 for the salaries of officers and $20,215.02 for clothing and books given poor children-a total of $39,424.93, or an average of $1.69 for each child brought into school. The aid furnished was given to 8,618 children, of whom 8,313 went to the public schools and 305 to the private schools. In the performance of their" duties, the truant officers made 72,223 visits to the homes of truant children and the schools, and 15,650 days were spent in this service. Under the provision of the law which permits the truant officer to pros- ecute parents who violate the law, 325 prosecutions were made during the year, all but sixty-five of these being successful. In twenty-seven counties no prosecutions were made; in forty-five
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EDUCATION IN INDIANA.
there were from one to five. St. Joseph county had the highest number, twenty-five; Vigo came next with twenty-four; Jefferson county had twenty, Boone county, seventeen ; Grant and Vermil- lion each thirteen, and Marion county eleven.
The officers of two counties, Steuben and Miami, report no children brought into school. Martin county reports one. Twenty- eight counties report less than 100; twenty-two counties from 100 to 200 ; fourteen counties from 200 to 300; thirteen counties from 300 to 400 ; five counties from 400 to 500. The following counties report the highest numbers : Madison, 568 ; Dubois, 627 : Henry, 630 ; Laporte, 656 ; St. Joseph, 769 ; Marion, 2,049 ; Vigo, 2,485.
In a tabulated form the reports of truant officers for the school term 1902-1903 make the following showing :
Number truant officers in state. 110
Total amount salaries paid.
$19,209.91
Number days spent in service
15,650
Number visits made.
72,223
Number pupils brought into school.
23,267
Number of above attending public schools.
22,135
Number of above attending private schools
1,132
Number who received aid.
8,618
Number aided attending public schools.
8,313
Number aided attending private schools
305
Total cost of assistance given
20,215.02
Number of prosecutions. 325
Number of prosecutions successful.
260
Number of prosecutions not successful. 65
Salaries
19,209.91
Assistance 20,215.02
Total cost of administering the law. $39.424.93
ยท Amount per capita spent for children brought into school. $1.69
Amount per capita spent for children aided to attend school. 2.34
C. THE INFLUENCE AND COST OF EXECUTING THE COMPULSORY EDUCATION LAW.
The number of children brought into the schools and the cost of enforcing the law since its passage in 1897 as shown by the reports of the secretary of the board of state charities are as follows :
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EDUCATION IN INDIANA.
No. Children Brought into the Schools.
Cost in Salaries and Assistance to Poor Children.
1898
21,447
$51,351 04
1899
19,160
43,442 54
1900
28,974
48.344 31
1901
25,025
47,686 98
1902
24,784
36,745 80
1903
23,267
39,424 93
D. THE CHILD-LABOR LAWS OF INDIANA ASSIST IN THE EXECUTION OF THE COMPULSORY EDUCATION LAW.
The child-labor law follows:
Sec. 2. No child under fourteen years of age shall be employed in any manufacturing or mercantile establishment, mine, quarry, laundry, reno- vating works, bakery or printing office within this state. It shall be the duty of every person employing young persons under the age of sixteen years to keep a register, in which shall be recorded the name, birthplace, age and place of residence of every person employed by him under the age of sixteen years; and it shall be unlawful for any proprietor, agent, foreman or other person connected with a manufacturing or mercantile establishment, mine, quarry, laundry, renovating works, bakery or print- ing office to hire or employ any young person to work therein without there is first provided and placed on file in the office an affidavit made by the parent or guardian, stating the age, date and place of birth of said young person; if such young person have no parent or guardian, then such affidavit shall be made by the young person, which affidavit shall be kept on file by the employer, and said register and affidavit shall be produced for inspection on demand made by the inspector, appointed under this act. There shall be posted conspicuously in every room where young persons are employed, a list of their names, with their ages, respectively. No young person under the age of sixteen years, who is not blind, shall be employed in any establishment aforesaid, who can not read and write simple sentences in the English language, except during the vacation of the public schools in the city or town where such minor lives. The chief inspector of the department of inspection shall have the power to demand a certificate of physical fitness from some regular physician in the case of young persons who may seem physically unable to perform the labor at which they may be employed, and shall have the power to prohibit the employment of any minor that can not obtain such a certificate."
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EDUCATION IN INDIANA.
E. ILLITERACY IN INDIANA.
The inquiry of the National Census Bureau with respect to the literacy of the population does not apply to persons under ten years of age, but "covers a return on the population schedule concerning the ability of each person ten years of age and over to read and write in any language; that is, the test of literacy is based upon one's ability to read and write not necessarily the English lan- guage, but the language ordinarily spoken by him." The inquiry into illiteracy naturally developed the fact that there are two classes of illiterates : (1) Persons who can neither read nor write ; (2) persons who can read (in a limited way) but can not write. In giving the figures below both classes are represented in the totals and per cents. :
1. Total population of United States, ten years of age and over:
(a) In 1880 36,761,607
(h) In 1890 47.413,559
(c) In 1900 57.949,824
Il. Illiterates in United States, ten years of age and over:
(a) In 1880 6,239,958
(b) In 1890 6.324,702
(c) In 1900 6,180,069
III. Per cent. of illiteracy in United States:
(a) In 1880 17 per cent.
(b) In 1890 13.3 per cent.
(e) In 1900 10.7 per cent.
IV. Total population of Indiana, ten years of age and over:
(a) In 1880 1,468,095
(b) In 1890 1.674,028
(c) In 1900 1.968,215
V. Total illiterate population of Indiana, ten years of age and over:
(a) In 1SS0 110,761
(b) In 1890 105.829
(c) In 1900 90,539
VI. Per cent. of illiteracy on total population of Indiana, ten years of age and over:
(a) In 1880 7.5 per cent.
(b) In 1890 6.3 per cent.
(c) In 1900 4.6 per cent.
(This showing is better than that of any other state lying to the east of us. save Ohio.)
VII. Illiterate male population, ten years of age and over:
1. In the United States-
(a) In 1880, 2.966,421, 15.8 per cent. of males of age as above.
(b) In 1890, 3.008.222, 12.4 per cent. of males of age as above.
(c) In 1900, 3.055,056, 10.2 per cent. of males of age as above.
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EDUCATION IN INDIANA.
2. In Indiana --
(a) In 1880, 52,033. 6.9 per cent. of males of age as above.
(J)) In 1890. 49,505, 5.8 per cent. of males of age as above.
(() In 1900, 43,763. 4.3 per cent. of males of age as above.
VIII. Illiterate female population, ten years of age and over:
1. In the United States
(a) In 1880. 3.273,537, 18.2 per cent. of females of age as above.
(b) In 1890, 3.316,480, 14.4 per cent. of females of age as above.
(c) In 1900. 3.191,801. 11.3 per cent. of females of age as above.
2. In Indiana-
(a) In 1880, 58,728, 8.2 per cent. of females of age as above.
(b) In 1890, 56,324, 6.9 per cent. of females of age as above.
(c) In 1900, 46,776. 4.9 per cent. of females of age as above.
1X. Illiterate native white population, ten years of age and over:
1. In the United States-
Total Population of Such Age.
Illiterate Population of Such Age.
Per Cent.
(a) In 1880
25,785,789
2,255.460
8.7
(b) In 1890
.33.144.187
2,065,003
6.2
(c) In 1900
41,363,565
1.916.434
4.6
2. In Indian : -
(a) In 19SO
1.297,159
S7.786
G.8
(b) In 1800
1.495,302
78.638
5.3
((*) In 1900 1,780,458
63,800
3.6
(This is larger than in the New England and Eastern states.)
X. Illiterate colored population, ten years of age and over:
1. In the United States-
Total Population of Age as A bore.
Total Illiterate Population-Kind and .lge as Above.
Per Cent.
(a) In 1880
4,601,207
3,220,878
70.0
(b) In 1890
5,482,485
3,112,128
56.8
(c) In 1900
6,810,934
3,037.252
44.6
2. In Indiana-
(a) In 1880
29.140
10.363
35.6
(b) In 1890
35,694
11.495
32.2
(c) In 1900
47.355
10,680
22.6
Xl. Illiterate negro population, ten years of age and over:
1. In the United States-
(a) In 1900. Malos
43.0 per cent.
(b) In 1900.
Females 45.8 per cent.
(() In 1900.
Both sexes 44.4 per cent.
2. In Indiana-
(a) In 1900. Males 21.7 per cent.
(b) In 1900.
Females 23.4 per cent.
(c) In 1900.
Both sexes 22.6 per cent.
*Persons of negro deseent. Chinese, Japanese and Indians.
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EDUCATION IN INDIANA.
XII. Illiterate native white population of native parentage, ten to four teen years of age:
1. In the United States
(a) In 1890 6.7 per cent.
(b) In 1900 4.4 per cent. 2. In Indiana-
(a) In 1890 2.0 per cent.
(b) In 1900 0.5 per cent.
(Good showing for modern schools.)
XIII. Illiterate foreign white population, ten to fourteen years of age:
1. In the United States-
(a) In 1890 5.9 per cent
(b) In 1900 5.6 per cent.
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