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 18

Author: Indiana. Department of Public Instruction; Cotton, Fassett Allen, 1862-
Publication date: 1904
Publisher: Indianapolis, Ind., W. B. Burford, contractor for state printing
Number of Pages: 624


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 18


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No data.


(e) Amount paid by counties out of county fund for county institutes (1903)


8,462 40


(f) The total expended on account of items above (a, b, c, d, e,) will approximate $500.000 annually, which added to the "total expenditures," would raise the per capita accordingly each year.


TABLE E. TEACHERS' WAGES-COMPARISON.


AVERAGE DAILY WAGES.


TOTAL Ex- PENDED FOR TEACHERS.


Wages of


Teachers of


All Grades


and High


Schools.


Males. Females


Males.


Females


Males.


Females


1897


$4,516,658 40


$300 07


1898


4.762,347 32


312 83


*


*


*


*


*


*


1899


4,800,964 68


309 98


$2 10


$1 90


$2 99


$2 04


$4 34


$2 33


1900


5,023,481 27


321 68


2 11


1 94


3 08


2 03


4 31


2 56


1901


4,930,292 97


308 54


2 14


1 94


3 06


2 07


1 38


2 34


1902


5,483,938 01


341 91


2 38


2 26


3 13


2 32


.4 34


2 72


1903


6,122,075 17


381 65


2 43


2 27'


3 21


2 39


4 49


2 77


1898


7.846,139 24


10 39


13 85


1899


8,188,088 74


10 83


14 70


1900


8,182.526 72


10 82


14 48


1901


8,444.267 56


11 14


15 16


1902


9,405,513 14


12 34


16 78


1903


9,901,645 41


12 90


17 66


Average Yearly


In Townships.


In Towns.


In Cities.


Year.


1897


*The statistics for 1898 are given for all teachers in each corporation-not divided into classes of males and females: In townships, $1.98: in towns, $2.32; in cities, $2.58.


187


EDUCATION IN INDIANA.


TABLE F. PAY OF TOWNSHIP TRUSTEES.


Amount Paid


Year.


Trustees for Managing Educational .Affairs.


1897


$87,607 64


1898


89,967 77


1899


110,122 90


1900


103,818 61


1901


109,975 68


1902


87,049 58


1903


95,287 55


TABLE G.


Year


Enumeration.


Enrollment.


Attendance


1880


703.558


511.283


321.659


1885


740,949


504.520


332,746


1890


$770.722


512.955


342.275


1892


776,963


511.823


360,664


1893


*795,256


519.009


350.963


1894


808,261


541,570


392,689


1895


$798,917


529.345


392,015


1896


734.640


543,665


401,702


1897


749,902


551,073


102,747


1898


754.945


566.157


៛432,931


1899


755,698


556.651


424,725


1900


756,004


564,807


429,566


1901


757,684


556,731


420,276


1902


761,801


560,224


423,078


1903


767,436


560,523


424.007


*From 1890 to 1895, inclusive. the enumeration lists were "padded." The new law on this subject makes it difficult to return an incorrect list.


¡The best attendance is shown in 1898. This was due to the then new compulsory education law.


188


EDUCATION IN INDIANA.


TABLE H.


The following table shows total amount of school fund since 1862, and the per capita belonging to each child of school age in the State :.


Year.


Enumeration.


Total School Fund Common and Congressional. $7.193,154 91


Per Capita of Funds on Enn- meration.


Interest Distributed Upon Basis of Funds Per Capita on Enu- meration.


1862


528,583


$13 61


1864


557.092


7,778,355 94


13 96


1866


959,778


7.611.337 44


13 59


.


1868


592.865


8.259,841 34


13 93


. .


1870


.619,627


*8.575,047 49


13 84


1872


631.539


8,437,593 47


13 36


. . .


1874


654,364


8.711,316 60


13 31


1875


667,736


8,799,191 64


13 18


.


...


1876


679,230


8,870,872 43


13 06


...


1877


694,706


8.924,570 34


12 85


...


1878


699.153


8,974.455 55


12 85


. .. .


1879


708.101


9,013,061 75


12 73


. ...


1880


703,558


9.065,254 73


12 88


...


1885


. 740.949


9.328.791 39


12 59


. .


1890


.770,722


9.784,170 55


12 69


.76


1892


776,963


9,955,394 28


12 81


.77


1893


795,256


9,993,377 42


12 56


.75


1894


SOS,261


10.157.163 32


12 56


.75


1895


798,917


10.146,959 30


12 70


.76


1896


734,640


10.218.432 19


13 90


.83


1897


749,902


10,222,792 24


13 63


1.82


1898


754.945


10,303,184 01


13 63


1.82


1899


755.698


10.312,015 27


13 64


7.82


1900


756,004


10,359,969 05


13 70


1.82


1901


757,684


10,890,326 33


13 71


1.82


1902


.761.801


10.443,SS5 34


13 70


$.82


1903


767.436


10.498,716 09


13 68


1.82


*It is believed that the figures for 1870, which were taken from a former report, are not accurate.


fIt is apparent that the growth in the school funds can no longer exceed the growth in school enumeration. For seven years the per capita distri- bution upon the basis of the interest from the funds has been the same amount, namely, 82 cents.


189


EDUCATION IN INDIANA.


TABLE I. ADDITIONS TO COMMON SCHOOL FUNDS.


Year.


Fines and Forfeitures.


Balance from Other Sources.


1880


$43.910 48


$8.489 67


Total Additions. $52,400 15


1881


43.262 65


3,848 52


47,111 17


1882


53,591 59


26,644 06


80,235 65


1883


54.470 93


4,300 21


58,771 14


1884


58.220 46


6.939 11


65,159 57


1885


49,860 77


6,664 28


56.525 05


1886


57.907 91


4,465 27


62,373 18


1887


68.423 30


14,143 70


82,567 00


1888


70,617 08


13,167 60


83.784 68


1889


44,094 58


12,699 56


56,794 14


1890


68,208 16


14.455 88


82,664 04


1891


61,716 07


9,189 97


70,906 04


1892


71.106 23


11,134 86


82.241 09


1893


57.120 95


9,473 09


66,594 04


1894


58.839 43


5,162 22


64,001 65


1895


59,969 57


14,867 06


74,836 63


1896


57.119 03


11,945 21


69,064 24


1897


34,738 97


7.919 73


42,658 70


1898


41,682 94


4.739 85


46,422 79


1899


36.765 53


8,477 24


45,242 77


1900


44.858 23


6.439 64


51.297 87


1901


34.369 12


2,698 46


37,067 58


1902


43,444 43


9,706 77


53,151 20


1903


41.433 82


12,080 90


53,514 72


196


EDUCATION IN INDIANA.


TABLE J. SCHOOLHOUSES, NUMBER OF TEACHERS AND SCHOOL TERMS.


Year.


Number of School- houses.


Number of Teachers.


Average Length of School in Days.


1880


9,647


13,578


136


1885


9,877


13,254


127


1890


9,907


13,278


130


1892


9,873


13.549


132


1893


10,007


13,896


No data.


1894


9,327


14,071


No data.


1895


9,327


13,869


No data.


1896


. 10.051


14,884


No data.


1897


. 10,053


15,052


136


1898


9,754


16,223


144


1899


9,983


15,488


14!


1900


. 10,038


15,617


152


1901


10,003


15,979


140


1902


*9.987


16,039


146


1903


9,375


16.041


+137


*On account of school consolidation we have probably reached our maxi- mum number of schoolhouses.


¡The increase in teachers' wages has tended to decrease the length of school term.


SECOND DIVISION.


SECONDARY EDUCATION.


(191


I. HIGH SCHOOLS.


A. COMMISSIONED HIGH SCHOOLS.


1. GENERAL STATEMENT.


Indiana is justly proud of her high school system. She has 704 high schools each employing two teachers or more. Add to this an estimated number employing one teacher each and the grand total will reach about 1,000, or approximately one high school for each township. We have high schools accessible to nearly every child in Indiana.


The law makes it necessary for every school officer to provide high school facilities at home or in lien thereof to transfer eligible pupils at public expense to corporations maintaining them.


The following is a summary of high school statistics :


13-EDUCATION.


(193)


194


EDUCATION IN INDIANA.


4. HIGH SCHOOL STATISTICAL SUMMARY. 1903.


1 Number of commissioned and non-commissioned high schools in Indiana having two or more teachers. 763


2. Number of high schools having one teacher, about. 240


3. Number of commissioned high schools. 185


4. Number of graduates (1903) from non-commissioned


high schools 1,344


5. Number of graduates (1903) from commissioned high schools 3,096


6. Number of pupils enrolled in non-commissioned high schools 13,305


7. Total paid teachers in non-commissioned high schools. . . . . $248,787 21


S. Total paid during the year for libraries, appliances, stoves, furniture, etc., not including janitors' service .. 37,001 42


9. Total current or annual cost of maintaining non-com- missioned high schools .. 285.788 63


10. Average cost per pupil in non-commissioned high schools .. 25 00


11. Number of pupils enrolled in commissioned high schools .. 23,336


12. Total paid teachers in commissioned high schools. $570,803 90


13. Total paid for appliances, reference books, stoves and fur- niture in commissioned high schools 61,465 42


14. Total current or annual cost of commissioned high schools 632,269 32


15. Average current cost per pupil in commissioned high schools 33 00


16. Number of teachers employed in schools 981


commissioned higlı


17. Number of teachers employed in non-commissioned high schools 848


18. Average yearly wages of teachers in commissioned high schools $726 00


19. Average yearly wages of teachers in non-commissioned high schools 432 00


From the figures given above it is evident that the state is concerned in a large way with secondary education. It is im- portant, therefore, that the work be carefully supervised to avoid waste and incompetent instruction.


195


EDUCATION IN INDIANA.


2. COURSE OF STUDY FOR COMMISSIONED HIGH SCHOOLS.


Adopted May 14, 1904.


a. INTRODUCTION.


The following course of study for the commissioned high schools of Indiana was adopted by the state board of education, May 14, 1904. It is a revision of the course adopted in 1898 and revised in 1902. It provides for required work as follows :


Three years of language, three years of history, three years of mathe- matics, two years of science, four years of English, and electives to complete a full course of four years. It is not intended that the course should be an absolute one, but that it should guide local school officers and teachers and form the basis of a minimum course. For example, the option is given in the first year to study either botany or zoology, or one of four languages. In the third year to pursue the study of English history throughout the entire year, or to divide the year between the French and English history; in the fourth year to study either physics or chemistry, or both, or to carry throughout the year any one of a number of electives. It is the desire of the board to have a few subjects contained throughout the entire course rather than a great field of subjects each through a brief period. It would not seem advisable to drop one year of English for the purpose of substituting an elective, nor does it seem advisable to drop one year of history and substitute an elective in a different department. A course of study containing few subjects pursued throughout the entire high school course has many advantages: First, It gives excellent training, scholarship and discipline in a given subject. Second, It makes necessary fewer teachers. Third, It requires a smaller library and equipment. The board recognizes the fact that a great many students do not continue their education beyond the high school. For that reason, the option is given of substituting commercial arithmetic or bookkeeping for solid geometry. It is the intention of the state board of education to inspect as many of the com- missioned high schools each year as it is possible for them to reach. The points of interest to them are those required of all commissioned high schools, namely: First, The character of the teaching must be satisfactory. Second, The high school course must not be less than thirty-two months in length, continuing from the eighth year. Third. The whole time of at least two teachers must be given to the high schoo. work. Fourth. At least one of the high school teachers must be a college graduate. Fifth, The pursuing of few subjects throughout the entire course, rather than many covering short periods. Sixth. A library ade- quate to meet all the demands for reference work and general reading supplementary to the regular text books. Seventh, Laboratories fully equipped to do all of the necessary work in the sciences pursued in any given high school. Eighth, No science should be taught for a term of less


196


EDUCATION IN INDIANA.


than one year. Ninth. Admission to the high school must be given only to those who have completed to the entire satisfaction of the school officers and teachers, all of the work of the grades. Tenth. The high school building must be kept in good order. the sanitary appliances adequate, the heating and lighting good, and outhouses and indoor closets clean and sanitary. Eleventh. All courses leading to college entrance should pro- vide at least three years of foreign language. (See outline.) Twelfth, Psychology, sociology and political economy should not be taught in high schools. Thirteenth, Beginning with the school year 1903 each high school must have in its faculty at least one graduate from an acceptable normal school. college or university. Fourteenth. The course of study must be at least a fair equivalent of the following:


b. OUTLINE COURSE.


FIRST YEAR.


SECOND YEAR.


THIRD YEAR.


FOURTH YEAR.


(Required.)


Algebra, one-half year, and Plane Geometry, one-half year, or Con- crete Geometry, one- half year. (Elective)


Plane Geometry, one- half year, and Solid Geometry, one - half year.


English.


American History and Civil Govern- ment.


Botany or Zoology.


English.


English.


Physics or Chem try


English.


ELECTIVES- Physical Geogra- phy. Geology.


Language- (a) Latin, (b) German,


History of Greece. one- half year, and His- tory of Rome, one- half year.


History of England, one year, or French and English History, one year, (one - half year each.)


Commercial Arith . metic.


(e) French or


Bookkeeping or Language, one year.


(d) Greek.


Language.


Language.


c. DETAILED COURSE.


SCIENCE.


Systematic instruction in one or more branches of natural science is an essential part of the high school curriculum, but it should not be attempted unless a skilled teacher is available and proper facilities for laboratory work can be provided. The chief object of science teaching in the high school is not to impart information or attempt scientific train- ing, but rather to fix the interest of the pupil upon natural phenomena. to develop his powers of observation, and to cultivate the scientific spirit of accuracy and truthfulness.


The choice of subjects to be taught should be made deliberately. for definite reasons and then adhered to; it should not be accidental to the wishes or convenience of teachers whose services may be of a temporary character only. At least one of the teachers in the high school should be employed because of special training and fitness to administer the particular science subjects of the curriculum.


Algebra.


197


EDUCATION IN INDIANA.


Wherever possible a separate room should be provided for laboratory work, supplied with proper desks or tables and with cases for storing of apparatus. The equipment should be kept clean and in order. It is destructive of a proper estimate of the value of science study if the pupil is not made to respect and value highly all of the equipment and supplies furnished for that purpose. The equipment should be well selected. simple and for use .*


A common mistake in presenting science to high school pupils is the attempt to do too much. In most instances the amount of time, the char- acter of equipment, the capacity of the teacher and the character of the pupil forbid the attempt to do more than teach some of the elementary principles of a science. Scientific theories which are not well established should be avoided and the attention of the pupil directed to a study of objects and phenomena, of causes and results and of relations. Intelligent note-taking and recording of work performed should be cultivated.


Not less than one year's time should be given to any particular branch of science.


BOTANY.


Only certain phases of botany can be profitably pursued in the high school. It is advised therefore that these be emphasized rather than that the work be extended. Much harm has been done both to science and to the pupil by the attempt to include in the high school course work which can only be given with profit in the college of university.


Plants as living things may obviously be studied in any one of three ways:


Morphology.


The general appearance of plants (form, color, gross anatomy, etc.). and their more evident adaptation to their surroundings, animate and inanimate, may be observed. At the present time this way of studying plants is the only one which pupils at the average high school, or at many of the commissioned high schools, can profitably attempt. It is known as the general morphology of plants. In this course, which should be as much as possible out of doors, the pupil should observe the young as well as the old plants, not merely as individuals, but as parts of the general scheme of nature, noting the conditions of soil. light, moisture and exposure under which they live, and their adaptation to these condi- tions. For the work of this course either Gray's "Structural Botany" (American Book Co .. New York), or Coulter's "Plant Studies" (D. Appleton & Co., Chicago.), may serve as a gnide. These should be supplemented by such works as Kerner's "Natural History of Plants" (Henry Holt & Co .. New York). or Coulter's "Plant Relations" (D. Appleton & Co .. Chicago).


Anatomy.


The constructive elements of plants may he studied, noting not merely the form and the arrangement of the parts, but the fitness of each ele- ment, and the suitableness of each arrangement of elements to meet


*(Members of the board of education will be glad to give advice in such matters when requested.)


198


EDUCATION IN INDIANA.


external conditions, largely those of a physical nature, such as mechan- ical strains, the force of gravitation, etc. Only in the most advanced high schools as yet can pupils profitably undertake the study of the microscopie anatomy of plants and the study of plants which, because of their minute size. must be examined under the microscope to be known at all. Some knowledge of the fundamental principle of physics will be necessary before such a course is attempted. not only that the pupil may understand the instruments with which he works (lenses), but also the mechanical and other principles involved in every plant structure. even the simplest. The state board of education distinctly advises against the introduction of microscopic anatomy into the high school course in botany except when the teacher in charge has been well trained for the work and the apparatus is ample and appropriate. Assuming that the subject is given one-fourth of the pupil's time during one year, the second course may be made to cover the following topics:


1. The Typical Plant Cell .- A study of its structure, general compo- sition, contents, form and methods of multiplication.


2. Unicellular Plants .- A study of the general structure and main facts of growth and reproduction of yeasts and protococcus.


3. Multicellular Plants .- Noting the arrangements of cells together, the effect of such groupings on the numbers of the groups. the mechanical, physical and physiological results of such groupings and the modes of reproduction as shown by:


a. Spirogyra (common pond seum) cladophora, chara or nitella.


b. Mucor (bread mold).


c. The rusts and mildews.


d. A moss.


A fern.


g. Flowering plants.


The character and scope of desirable work under these varions heads is indicated with sufficient accuracy in the various text-books in botany on the market. Additional books recommended for this course are "Spalding's Introduction to Botany" (D. C. Heath & Co., New York). Atkinson's "Elementary Botany" (Henry Holt & Co., New York), "Bot- any." L. H. Bailey (The Macmillan Co., New York), Sedgwick & Wilson's "Biology," Goodale's "Physiological Botany" (American Book Co., New York), Arthur. Barnes and Coulter's "Handbook of Plant Dissection" (IIenry Holt & Co., New York), Bergen's "Elements of Botany" (Ginn & Co., Chicago), Bower's "A Course of Practical Instruction in Botany' (Macmillan & Co., New York). Strasburger, Schimper, Schenck and Noll's "Lehrbuch der Botanik." English translation (Macmillan & Co., New York). The following apparatus would be required for the efficient prose. cution of this course: Compound microscopes, one for each pupil during his stay in the laboratory. but by dividing the class into small sections the total number of microscopes need not be large. The Bausch & Lomb Optical Co., Rochester, N. Y., or the Cambridge Botanical Supply Co., Cambridge, Mass. (who will import foreign instruments, duty free, for school), can furnish suitable microscopes from $27 upward in price Cheaper ones are untrustworthy. In addition will be needed:


199


EDUCATION IN INDIANA.


Glass slides, about 75 cents per gross.


Cover glasses, 75 cents per ounce.


Razors, $1 to $1.50 each.


Camel's hair brushes (small), 20 cents or more per dozen.


Watch glasses (flat on bottom), 25 cents per dozen.


Dissecting needles (self-made by forcing sewing needles into slender handles).


Fine pointed forceps. 15 cents to 75 cents per pair.


Chemical reagents, such as iodine, glycerine, potassic-hydrate, potassic-iodine, and a few stains such as fuchsin, eosin, saffanin, costing in all about $5.00.


Physiology.


The plant at work may be studied, considering both the nature of the work done and the means by which it is accomplished. The most im- portant facts of plant physiology should be presented by the teacher to classes studying plants in either of the ways already described; but the study of plant physiology itself should not be attempted in the high school, since the conditions necessary for successful experimentation can not ordinarily be provided, and especially since the antecedent training in chemistry and physics essential to a comprehension of the questions involved can not have been given under high school conditions.


ZOOLOGY.


Assuming that one-fourth of the student's time for one year is devoted to the subject, the following scheme may be followed:


Fall and winter, a study of comparative anatomy of a series of ani- mals, beginning with the lower types. In this the organism as a living thing may be considered, and then its parts, noting the division of the body into definite organs and systems for definite functions, and the gradual increase in complexity and efficiency of these organs and systems as the higher types are reached. Detailed outlines for the study of indi- vidual forms are to be found in Nos. 1 and 2 of the books mentioned below. The spring may be taken up with a more detailed study of some group of local representatives of animals most familiar to the teacher. In this connection frequent excursions must be taken, and especial atten- tion paid to the variety of species found, the character differing most in the different species, the peculiar surroundings in which each one lives. the peculiarities that fit each one as to its peculiar home; the habits of each species, the coloration of each species as compared with its surround- ings, the comparative number of individuals of each species, the difference between individuals of the same species. For this purpose Nos. 6 and 7 of the books given below will be found useful.


All of the books mentioned below should be accessible in the labora- tory. Each student should be supplied with 1 or 2.


1. Elementary Biology, Boyer. About $1.00; published by D. C. Heath & Co., Chicago.


2. Elementary Lessons in Zoology, Needham. About $1.25; published by American Book Co., Cincinnati.


200


EDUCATION IN INDIANA.


3. Elementary Biology. Parker. About $2.50; published by Macmillan & Co., New York.


4. Invertebrate Morphology, MaeMurich. About $4.00; published by Henry Holt & Co., Boston.


5. Comparative Anatomy of Vertebrates. Wiederscheim. About $3.50; published by Macmillan & Co., New York.


6. Manual of Insects, Comstock. About $4.00; published by Comstock Publishing Co., Ithaca. N. Y.


7. Manual of Vertebrates. Jordan. $2.50; published by MeChurg & Co .. Chicago.


8. Colton's Practical Zoology. 80 cents; D. C. Heath & Co .. Chicago.


9. Holder's Elements of Zoology: published by D. Appleton Co .. Chicago.


10. Pratt's Invertebrate Zoology; published by Ginn & Co., Boston.


11. Jordan and Kellogg's Animal Life: published by D. Appleton & Co., Chicago.


Apparatus for a Class of Ten.


A well-lighted room with table space of 21x116 feet for each student. Two compound microscopes, at $27.00. Bausch & Lomb. Rochester. N. Y. AAB2.


Five dissecting microscopes. at $5.00. Bausch & Lomb. Rochester. N. Y. Improved Barnes.


One sealpel. one pair small scissors, one pair forceps, one blow pipe, hand lens, mounted needles. Five sets at $1.00. To be had put up in small box form from E. H. Sargent & Co .. Chicago, or Bausch & Lomb. Rochester, N. Y.


Alcohol may be purchased for schools at about 50 cents per gallon. Application should be made to some distillery to set aside ten gallons of more for withdrawal, duty free. A bond must be given for twice the amount of the tax of the alcohol to be so withdrawn. Printed instruc- tions may be secured from the nearest collector of internal revenue.


PHYSICS.


It were better that this science be left out of the high school currieu- lum than to entrust its presentation to a teacher who has not had special training in a physical laboratory. If physics can not be taught well. substitute for it a science that can be. It makes not so much difference what is taught as how it is taught.


Physics is an experimental science. and must be taught largely by experiment. This means that each high school must have a supply of physical apparatus. But the amount that is actually required is much less than is generally supposed. With the aid of the apparatus and sup plies mentioned in the appended list. an enthusiastic and skilled teacher will be able to give most of the experiments mentioned in the usual high school text-books on physics:


2 meter sticks (to millimeters and inches), at 25c $0 50


3 spring balances (24 lb.), at 15c. 45


1 platform balance (beam graduated to 1-10 gm). 5 65


201


EDUCATION IN INDIANA.


1 set metric weights (2 kgm. to 1 gm.). $1 75




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