PENNSYLVANIA.

1. ORGANIZATION OF THE SYSTEM.

State superintendent and deputy.-County superintendent.—Directors and controllers. Local superintendents.

State superintendent.-A superintendent of public instruction shall be appointed by the governor every fourth year, by and with the advice and consent of twothirds of all the senate, and shall be removed by the governor for misbehavior. He shall decide without appeal or costs all controversies or disputes that may arise or exist among the directors or controllers of any district or between collectors or treasurers; give advice, explanations, construction, or information to the district officers and citizens relative to the common-school law, the duties of common-school officers, the rights and duties of parents, guardians, and pupils, and the management of the schools, and all other questions calculated to promote the cause of education; sign orders on the State treasurer for payment of State money to the school districts, prepare blank forms for the annual district reports with suitable instructions and forward them, prepare an annual report containing a full account of the condition of the public schools, the expenditure for them, estimates for the year ensuing, the number of pupils, the cost of teaching each, the number of districts, plans for the improvement of the system, and all such matters relating to the concerns of common schools and to the duties of his office as he may deem expedient to communicate, provide a seal for the authentification of official documents, appoint one of his clerks general deputy, who may perform all his duties in his absence, and remove any county superintendent for neglect of duty. County superintendents.-The school directors [of the several districts] in each county shall meet in convention at the county seat of justice every three years and select viva voce by a majority of the whole number present one person of literary and scientific attainments (college diploma, State or local certificate), and of three years' experience in the art of teaching and good moral character, as county superintendent for three succeeding school years. His salary shall be $4.50 for each school in his jurisdiction at the time of his election, to be paid out of the general fund appropriated for common schools, but in no case to be less than $1,000 nor more than $2,000. School directors may increase the county superintendent's salary from the school fund of the county, and in counties having over 290 schools or 1,200 square miles of territory or a school term exceeding seven and one-half months the salary paid shall not be less than $1,500. The county superintendent may not teach in the public schools unless he do so without compensation. He shall take oath to perform his duties to the best of his ability; visit as often as practicable the several schools of his county, noting the character of instruction and the methods, and giving directions upon these subjects in order to bring the teaching up to the grade intended and the grades into ordination and the schools into uniformity; see that the branches required by law are taught by legally competent teachers, examine all candidates for teaching, grant certificates to qualified persons and revoke the same for cause; annually report to the State superintendent in extenso upon the educational condition of their counties and forward the reports of the several school districts thereof, and hold teachers' institutes annually.

Directors and controllers.-Every township, borough, and city of this Commonwealth, or which shall hereafter be erected, shall be a school district. School districts which are composed of cities and boroughs divided into wards for school purposes shall be constituted as follows: Each ward shall retain its school property and elect a separate board of directors, who shall have the erection and repair of schoolhouses, the purchase of sites, and the levying, assessing, collecting, and disbursing of all taxes laid for the above purposes, but other powers and duties which are exercised by district school directors shall be in the hands of a board of controllers, composed of the directors of the several wards, provided that whenever the ward boards of directors shall voluntarily grant the property of their wards to the board of controllers the city or borough shall constitute a single school district, but the number of directors shall thereafter be three for each ward.

School directors shall be elected annually in other districts as follows: At the same time and place that elections are held for supervisors in wards, cities, or boroughs two qualified citizens shall be elected school directors in each district, whose term of office shall be three years, vacancies to be filled by the board. No school director may be also a constable, pathmaster, commissioner of roads, or auditor. Failure to attend two consecutive meetings on the part of a member,

and the failure of all the members of the board of directors or controllers to levy a tax to keep the schools in operation or provide schoolhouses, vacates the delinquent member's seat, in the first case, and vacates the seats of every member, in the second. The board elects a president, secretary, and treasurer, and holds a meeting at least once in every three months.

The district board of directors and the municipal board of controllers have the following duties and powers: To establish a sufficient number of schools, to employ teachers, to direct what branches shall be taught and books used, to expel all incorrigible children, to purchase and issue text-books and other necessary supplies and to report the amount expended for such supplies, to grade the schools, to pay expenses of the schools by drafts on the district treasurer, and to report and publish annually a statement of the financial operations of the district in not fewer than ten written or printed handbills, to be posted in the most public places of the district, and also to make a statement to the auditor.

The board of controllers of school districts which are composed of cities or boroughs divided into wards for school purposes, or boroughs not so divided but having a population of 5,000 or more, shall possess the following additional powers and have the following duties: They may establish high schools, and shall admit all under 21 properly prepared to enter upon its course of study, and, in general, shall exercise supervision over it, appointing its teachers and establishing its course of study, purchasing land and erecting buildings, and maintaining it for not fewer than ten months in the year.

Cities of under 100,000 inhabitants are constituted one school district, each ward to elect two members of the board of controllers for four-year terms, one going out biennially.

City, borough, and township superintendents.-School directors in any city, borough, or township having a population of over 5,000 may elect one person of literary and scientific acquirements and skill and experience in the art of teaching as city or borough superintendent for the three succeeding school years; and they shall determine his compensation. After the certification of the election of the superintendent to the State superintendent of public schools the schools of the city, borough, or township shall not be subject to the authority of the county superintendent. The municipal superintendent is to perform the duties of the county superintendent and such as may be imposed by his board of directors, to report monthly to the State superintendent, and attend meetings of superintendents called by him.

2. TEACHERS.

Appointment, qualifications, and duties.-Preliminary training.-Meetings. Appointment, qualifications, and duties.-No district employing a teacher who has not a valid certificate from the county or [local] superintendent shall receive money from the State treasury. ["No teacher shall be employed in teaching any branch of learning other than those enumerated in his or her certificate."] No teacher shall be employed or dismissed except by the vote of the whole number of the directors or controllers of any common-school district. No person shall receive a certificate from a county, city, borough, [or township] superintendent who has not a fair knowledge of orthography, reading, writing, geography, English grammar, mental and written arithmetic, history of the United States, the theory of teaching, and of the effect of alcoholic drinks, of stimulants and narcotics; but no person using intoxicating drinks as a beverage shall be granted a certificate. The certificate shall state the proficiency of the holder in each branch.

The teacher must report monthly to the local school board the number and sex of pupils in attendance, the books used, and branches taught, or forfeit pay.

Preliminary training.-The State is divided at present into 13 normal school districts. When 13 or more citizens shall, as contributors or stockholders, erect and establish a school for the professional training of young men and women as teachers for the public schools of the State, the State students in that school shall be paid 50 cents a week, and if he graduate and sign an agreement to teach for two years in the State, $50 additional shall be paid. The affairs of each school are to be managed by a board of 18 trustees, 12 elected by the contributors and 6 appointed by the State superintendent, and it shall require a three-fourths vote to pass a motion for the sale or purchase of real estate. The governor, superintendent, and attorneygeneral are a commission to distribute the State money to the schools. The trustees report annually to the superintendent, and are always subject to his inspection. To obtain State aid the following requirement must be met: Suitable building, surrounded by an area of 10 acres; a hall to seat 1,000 persons, with class rooms, etc., to accommodate 300 or more students, properly supplied with heating appa

ratus, adequately lighted and ventilated, and provided with a place for physical exercise in inclement weather, a library, 6 professors or more, one each in orthography, in reading and elocution, in writing, drawing, and bookkeeping, in arithmetic and higher mathematics, in geography and history, in grammar and English history, and in theory and practice of teaching, together with such professors of natural, mental, and moral sciences, languages, and literature as the condition of the school and the number of students may require. The principal shall be a professor of one of the required branches. There shall be a model school of not fewer than 100 children. The principals shall fix the requisites for admission and the course and duration of study. The examination of the graduating class shall be conducted by a board composed of two principals, one of whom shall be the principal of the school whose pupils are under examination, the State or the deputy State and two county or local superintendents of the normal school district being present, and no person shall graduate unless by a vote of 4 out of the 5 members. Graduates are given a certificate of their scholastic qualifications throughout the State, but after two years of teaching a certificate of competency in teaching (teachers' State certificate) shall be given. Actual teachers in good standing, having taught three full annual terms, may also take the examination. Meetings.-Annually the county superintendent shall hold an institute, at which all the teachers of the county are required to be present without loss of pay. The duration of the institute is five days, one half day being allowed to come from and another to return home. The county superintendent shall draw from the county treasury for every three days' attendance of a teacher the sum of $1 to defray the expenses of lecturers and instructors. It shall be lawful, however, for the board of directors or controllers which has elected a superintendent and employs not fewer than 75 teachers to hold a separate annual teachers' institute and to draw npon the county treasury in the manner laid down for the county superintendent.

3. SCHOOLS.

Attendance.-Character of instruction.-Text-books.—Buildings.

Attendance.-The board of directors or controllers shall provide a sufficient number of schools for the education of every individual above the age of 6 and under 21 years of age for four to ten months, without regard to race or color.

No minor under 13 years of age shall be employed in cotton, woolen, silk, paper, bagging, or flax factories; any owner or employer of, or in any of said factories, or agent therefor, willfully or knowingly employing any such minor shall pay a fine of $50 for each offense. No minor between the ages of 13 and 16 years shall be employed in such factories longer than nine calendar months in any one year, and not unless he shall have attended school at least three consecutive months within the same year. No boy shall be employed in any mine unless proof be given that he is 12 years old.

Character of instruction.-It is the duty of each county superintendent to see that there be taught orthography, reading, writing, English grammar, geography, arithmetic, and physiology in reference to stimulants, as well as such other branches as the board of directors or controllers may require, all to be taught by qualified teachers. Failure of a local board in these respects works forfeiture of State money. District boards have power to grade schools, and boards in cities and boroughs having a population of 5,000 or more, may establish a high school and fix its course of study, appoint its teachers, and maintain it for ten months in the year. Upon the application of the parents of 20 or more children above 6 years of age, the school board shall open an evening school, giving instruction in reading, writing, arithmetic, and such other studies as may be prescribed by the board. The term of such school is to be not fewer than four months of twenty evenings of two hours each, but if the average attendance falls below 15, the school may be closed. In certain cities central boards of education are provided, to establish and maintain schools for the instruction in the mechanic arts and kindred subjects; instruction in such schools may be given in the day or evening, and may include chemistry, mathematics, natural philosophy, and other branches pertaining to the mechanic arts.

Text-books.-No series of text-books shall be adopted in any school district unless by affirmative vote of the whole number of the directors or controllers, and their votes shall be recorded by name; nor shall any text-books be changed until three years after their adoption. The board shall purchase text-books and other necessary supplies for the schools as the occasion demands, and such books and supplies shall be furnished free of cost to the pupils, subject to regulations.

Buildings.-Suitable buildings and outhouses must be supplied by the board of directors for all children of school age.

4. FINANCES.

Funds (permanent and special).—Taxation.

Funds (permanent and special).—Any person found intoxicated in a public thoroughfare or place shall be fined $2, to be paid to the school district. This fund is distributed to the districts on the basis of resident taxables.

Taxation. There are three kinds of tax for school purposes according to their subjects, each separate and distinct, but all may be due from one person. They are: The rate tax on real and personal property; the rate tax on such trades, occupations, professions, and salaries and emoluments of office as will yield over $1 by the rate on its valuation; a minimum occupation tax of $1 on all resident males' taxables over 21 years of age whose assessed occupation at the rate levied for school purposes will not produce $1. The districts may tax themselves for support of schools in general, up to 13 mills, and may raise a sum for establishing schoolhouses not greater than the sum raised for support of schools in the same year.

DELAWARE.

1. ORGANIZATION OF THE SYSTEM.

State board of education.-County superintendent of free schools.-District school commissioners.

State board of education.-The governor, secretary of state, and the three county superintendents shall constitute a State board of education, which shall meet annually, with the governor as president and the secretary of state as secretary. The board shall hear appeals concerning school matters, shall determine what textbooks are to be used, and shall issue a uniform series of blanks and other records, which it shall distribute. The members of the State board shall receive no compensation. The president shall biennially report to the governor concerning the condition of the public schools and make such suggestions and recommendations in regard thereto as he shall deem proper and advisable, and for his labor in preparing such report he shall be allowed $25 or less.

County superintendent of free schools.-The governor shall annually appoint and commission a suitable person to be superintendent for each county of the State. The person so appointed shall be of good moral character and well qualified, both intellectually and morally, for the office, as well as residents of the county at the time of their appointment and incumbency. The superintendent shall give bond in the sum of $5,000 with sureties.

The county superintendent shall have the entire management, control, and supervision of the colored schools, shall decide as to the location of the schools, appoint teachers for them, and pay the expenses of maintaining them.

The superintendent shall visit each school within the county at least twice a year, each visit to be not less than two hours in duration, provided the school is kept open at least eight months each year. He shall note the number of scholars and their conduct and standing, the condition of the buildings and grounds, the method of instruction, and the discipline and government of the school. He shall advise with the teacher and shall have power to suspend or withdraw the certificate of one refusing to comply with the reasonable directions of the superintendent. He shall devote his entire time to his duties. He shall examine teachers, shall report annually to the president of the State board concerning the condition of the public schools, together with such recommendations and suggestions as may seem proper. His compensation shall be $1,000 per annum, from the State treasury.

District school commissioners.-All alterations in districts must be made by the levy court, two-thirds concurring, upon application; but two or more school districts in any county may unite for establishing and supplying a free school for their common benefit.

The district meeting shall decide what sum shall be raised for a schoolhouse or a free school.

Each district shall annually elect a school commissioner to serve for three years. The duties of the commissioners are

1. To determine the site, lease or purchase the necessary ground, and build or procure a suitable house for the district, as near the center of the district as possible. When built or procured, it shall not be removed nor another procured without the direction of the school voters at a stated meeting.

2. To keep the schoolhouse in good repair, supply it with necessary furniture and fuel, and bring actions, if necessary, for any injury to it.

3. To provide a school for the district when and as long as their funds will enable them, and to employ teachers. They may make regulations for the government of the school, and by these provide for the expulsion of a scholar for obstinate misbehavior.

4. To receive and collect all money belonging to, appropriated, or resolved to be raised for the district, and to apply the same justly.

5. To appoint collectors for the district, and take security by bond.

6. To do all acts requisite for effecting the premises-the acts of a majority to be as effectual in all cases as if done by them all.

The school committee must also annually, at the stated meeting, exhibit a just account of their receipts and expenditures, and a report of all their proceedingsmay then appoint persons to settle such account-and must pay to their successors in office all money due from them. If for ten days they neglect to do this they forfeit and must pay, additionally, at the rate of 5 per cent on the sum due.

For these duties the committee may receive no emolument; but for attendance before the auditor they may, on the settlement of their account, be allowed each $1 per day and 3 cents per mile of necessary traveling.

2. TEACHERS.

Appointment, qualifications, and duties.-Institutes.

Appointment, qualifications, and duties.—It shall be unlawful to employ any person to teach in the puble schools unless the person employed holds a certificate good in the county where employed.

The county superintendent shall examine, either orally or by printed or written questions, or both, all persons who apply, at such times and places as he may appoint. Every applicant of good character found qualified to teach orthography, reading, writing, mental arithmetic, written arithmetic, geography, history of the United States, English grammar, physiology and hygiene, with special reference to the effects of alcoholic drinks and narcotics upon the human system, elements of rhetoric, algebra, geometry, and natural philosophy shall be recommended to the State board for a first-grade certificate, good for three years, if issued. A second-grade certificate shall be issued by the superintendent to an applicant who shall have answered 90 per cent of the questions in all the above up to and including temperance physiology, which shall be good for two years. To an applicant attaining an average of at least 60 per cent on the subjects required for a second-grade certificate a third-grade certificate shall be given by the superintendent, good for one year. Parties refused certificates may appeal to the State board.

Every free-school teacher shall report to the commissioners at the end of each quarter the number of pupils attending school during the quarter, designating whether male or female, the number of days each has attended, the books used, and branches taught. Failure to make these reports shall cause the salary of the teacher to be withheld. The reports shall be forwarded to the county superintendent.

Meetings.-Each superintendent shall hold a teachers' institute during each year of three days' session. Every teacher of the county must attend. At these institutes each superintendent shall give all the information in his power, such other instructions as he may deem advisable, and shall cause a general interchange of views among teachers as to the wants of the schools.

One hundred dollars shall annually be set apart from the school fund distributed among the counties for the purpose of paying the expenses of the teachers' institutes.

3. SCHOOLS.

Attendance.-Character of instruction.-Text-books.

Attendance. [There are separate schools for colored persons.]

Character of instruction.-[The studies required in the public schools may be inferred to be those in which teachers are examined for a second-grade certificate.] All public schools receiving aid from the State shall give instruction in physiology and hygiene, with special reference to the effects of alcoholic drinks, stimulants, and narcotics, instruction to be orally when the pupils can not read. Text-books.-That on and after the first Saturday in April, A. D. 1891, the school commissioners or trustees of each school district or districts in the State shall furnish the necessary text-books free for the use of all the pupils enrolled in the free schools of the State in the manner hereinafter provided.