commissioners exercise the functions of the Commissio cation in their respective fields, under his general dire Commissioner of Education has designated the Counsel versity as Deputy Commissioner of Education. These officially designated as follows: Deputy Commissioner ar Assistant Commissioner and Director for Professional Assistant Commissioner for Secondary Education and Commissioner for Elementary Education.

Chiefs of Divisions.-The Regents on the recommen the Commissioner of Education classifies the administr clerical work of the Department into divisions. The Com of Education on approval of the Regents appoints a chief of in charge of cach division. Chiefs or directors of divis directly responsible to the Commissioner of Education. T twelve of these divisions.

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

Director of State Museum.- The work of this divisio braces investigations in natural science, the economic and ind applications of such science, and the State Museum. I embraces the work of the State geologist and paleontologis State botanist, State entomologist, mineralogist, zoologist archeologist.

Director of Agricultural and Industrial Education.- This sion has general charge of all branches of industrial educa including trade schools, industrial schools, courses in home-ma and in agriculture.

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

STATE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT

13

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

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

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

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

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

architects, or who desire to become registered nurses. of this kind are issued by the University.

(d) Teachers' Examinations. This division also has all teachers' examinations held in the State. These eml ing school, training class, examinations held by district st ents, and those for special and for life State certificates.

(e) Other Examinations.- This division has charge o tive examinations on which State scholarships in Cornell are awarded and examinations in agriculture for person to qualify for the office of district superintendent.

Administration Division. This division has gener vision of the internal workings of the Department subj orders of the Commissioner of Education. It has gener of the mails, express matter, documents and printing, pu supplies, finances of the Department, and has direct su over the employees connected therewith, and such other e of the Department as are not under the direction of some officer. It is also the duty of this division to see that exp are made in accordance with the requirements of the appr bills. It also receives all fees, has charge of all expense a and pays Department salaries. This division is also charg the duty of obtaining from all educational institutions in t and all school districts such reports as they are required to make to the University or to the Education Departm tabulates such reports and prepares general statistics on our tional system. It makes all legal apportionments of Stat to the public schools of the State and to all other edu institutions entitled thereto.

Attendance Division. This division has the general vision and enforcement of the compulsory education law a census laws.

Educational Extension Division. This division includ agencies for the promotion of educational advantages f assistance of those unable to attend the usual teaching instit The means employed in the extension of this work embrace su schools, vacation schools, evening schools, correspondence so lecture courses, study clubs, reading circles, etc. The super of the incorporated public libraries of the State is under the tion of this division. It also has charge of the traveling libr

STATE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT

17

The work relating to education for adult illiterates is connected with this division.

School Buildings Division. At present this division is charged with the inspection of school buildings and sites, and the approval of plans and specifications for repairs to school buildings and the construction of new buildings.

Law Division.- This division interprets the school law and all other statutes related in any way to the educational work of the State. It has direct charge of all contested appeals and presents them in proper form to the Commissioner of Education for determination. It looks after the form and legality of charters issued by the Board of Regents and the interests of the Department in any litigation in the courts when the Department is thus involved.

School Libraries Division. This division has charge of all matters pertaining to public school libraries and of the relation which such libraries bear to the instruction given in the schools.

Visual Instruction Division. This division has general charge of the collection of material for giving instruction by means of pictorial or graphic representation in geography, history, science and kindred subjects and of the distribution and loaning of such material to the communities, schools and other institutions entitled to receive the same.

Creation or Abolishment of Divisions. By concurrent action of the Regents and the Commissioner of Education the Department is divided into divisions. By similar action a new division may be created or an existing division abolished.

Appointment of Officers of Department.— All officers of the Department are appointed by the Commissioner of Education subject to the approval of the Regents.

Removals and Suspensions.- The Commissioner of Education with the approval of the Regents may remove at his pleasure any officer or employee of the Department.

When the Regents are not in session he may suspend during his pleasure without salary any officer or employee until the adjournment of the succeeding meeting of the Regents.

State Education Building. The education building is exclusively set apart under the law for the use of the Education Depart

ment.

The Regents and the Commissioner of Education are given power to assign the rooms in such building to the various divisions, officers and work of the Department.

Misdemeanor Falsely Representing Education Dep It is a misdemeanor for a firm, agent or other person selling, publishing or manufacturing books, charts, appar other school supplies to falsely represent to any schod teacher that he is an agent or representative of the Department, the Regents, the Commissioner of Educat other school officer.

REVIEW QUESTIONS

What constitutional provisions is there in relation to the mai a public school system? Give a brief statement of the supervisio by the State over Educational affairs. What power has the Board over the Education Department? Who is the chief officer of su ment? How many assistant commissioners are there? State What is the general duty of each? How is work of the Departm fied? What is the duty of the director of the State library? Wh library established? When was it placed under the directio Regents? When was it made a part of the University? What is work of the State museum? State in general terms the work of th tration division. Atendance division. Educational extension Examinations and inspections division. When were Regents exa

first suggested? First given? State the various purpose f

examinations are held. What is the chief work of the law division libraries division? Visual instruction division? How are division or abolished? How are the officers of the Department appointe may an officer be removed? How may an officer be suspended: whose direction may rooms of the State education building be a For what use is such building exclusively set aside? What proh there as to falsely representing the Education Department, etc. the penalty?