Rollinsford forms a separate school district, by an act of the Legislature passed during the last year. It is thought that great caution must now be exercised to preserve harmony. Satisfactory progress on the part of the schools is reported.

NEW JERSEY.

Jersey City has a school population of 51,087, but the greatest possible seating capacity of its school buildings is only 15,770. Every school in the city is crowded to an nucomfortable extent, and 701 children applied for admission during the year and were refused. The primary grades suffer from overcrowding worse than any other, and half-day sessions have been necessary, and even this failed to entirely remedy the evil. Teachers are improving in promptness, and the total number of days lost by them in tardiness and absence was 395 less than the previous year. Diplomas are now given to those who complete the grammar-school course and pass a satisfactory examination upon graduation. A practical business element in the course of study of the grammar schools is an innovation, and a commercial course is a regular part of the high-school curriculum. A radical change for the better has been made in the training school. One evening school is maintained, partially by private philanthropy, and the promptness and regularity of its scholars are noteworthy. Three special teachers are employed for music, but none for drawing.

Montclair schools require the services of 19 teachers for the course of 13-years study. The most approved methods of instruction are in use, and a high degree of efficiency is attained. Pupils of the grammar school between the ages of 12 and 14 are instructed 2 hours each week in the use of tools. This plan of manual training was adopted 4 years ago and constantly increases in popularity. Girls are taught to sew during the same hours that the boys are at work in the shop.

Newark is awakening to the necessity of perfect sanitary arrangements in the school buildings, and great improvement has been made in this respect during the year of 1885-86. Though no new buildings have been erected during the year, $53, 947 have been expended in repairs and additions to those already standing. The 41 buildings used now contain an aggregate of 354 rooms. The graduating class of the high school this year numbers 82, the largest in its history. Including the drawing school, 6 evening schools are maintained, and their session has been within the year lengthened from 3 to 5 months annually. In the evening drawing school an enrolment is reported of 356 persons, nearly all of whom are engaged in industrial pursuits. Special teachers are employed for music, drawing, and German.

New Brunswick children are remarkably punctual in their attendance, and in 1835'86 the per cent. of daily attendance was 95.2. Changes have been made in the district boundaries that seem to meet the requirements better, bat have given some dissatisfaction. Many improvements have been made in the method of heating in several schools, and a considerable number of new desks purchased. Evening schools were first opened in January last and continued until March, with au average attendance of 185. A fair degree of success was attained.

Orange schools have been conducted with comparatively little friction this year. Though some of the schools are crowded they are all considered very efficient. After being closed for 12 years the evening school was re-opened during the year, and for a few weeks the attendance was quite large, but for various reasons the number has largely decreased, and is now comparatively small. Singing and industrial drawing are taught by special teachers.

Paterson schools have been at a great disadvantage from want of sufficient accommodations, and though several annexes have been hired they have failed to meet the requirements. With the rooms in such a crowded condition perfect discipline has been impossible, and is made more difficult by the State law against corporal punishment. The systems of heating and ventilation generally are defective, and the $22,558 spent for repairs failed to entirely remedy all evils in this respect. The attendance upon the day schools has noticeably improved, owing to the strenuous efforts of the teachers in attempting to keep the pupils in school. The evening schools have met with tolerable success, though the attendance has not been so full as usual, especially at the latter part of the session.

NEW YORK.

Albany explains the decrease in 1885-'86 of 310 in enrolment by the facts that no duplicate enrolments are reported this year, and that the removal from the city of many workmen who had been employed upon the State capital necessarily lessened the school population. The school children took a prominent part in the celebration of the bi-centennial of the city on July 19, 1836, and their exercises, consisting of choruses, charades, and tableaux, in a monster tent in the capital park, reflected great credit upon them. The erection is reported of a new building, well nigh perfect in its sanitary and heating arrangements, costing $37,044.43. A good sanitary condition is reported in a majority of the schools. Slight changes have been made in the course of study, and by the new arrangement one-fourth less time is devoted to music, draw.

ing, and penmanship.

Auburn expended a total of $67,780.57 in 1885-'86, of which $16,679 were for sites, buildings, and permanent improvements. A new building, considered the best though not most expensive the board has erected, has been completed and provided with desks for 200 scholars. The most important action taken by the board this year has been to begin the construction of a new high-school building to cost $40,000. Though the school population is 373 less than in 1884-'85, the registration has been 155 greater, and average attendance 100 more; 85 regular teachers are employed besides 3 specialists who teach drawing and penmanship, music, and elocution. During the year the board realized $8,709 by a judgment against a former tax-collecter.

Cohoes' school term consists of 200 days. It is said that sufficient financial support is not given by the city, since only 25 per cent. of the expenditures of the municipal government is devoted to the schools, and it has been necessary to borrow $9,000 from other sources to maintain them properly. During 1885-'86 a two-story brick build ing, costing with its site $4,300, was erected and occupied by 60 scholars. Four evening schools are in operation, with an increased daily attendance over last year of 73. Kingston's school finances are admirably managed, and at the end of 1885-'86 an unexpended balance remained of $6,088, which was paid on the standing debt of the board. The present buildings are crowded beyond their capacity and more are needed. No diseases of consequence have prevailed this year, and the attendance upon the schools has therefore been unusually good. Better discipline has prevailed than ever before, and corporal punishment has been necessary in only a few instanThe Kingston Acadeiny is reckoned among the finest institutions of its class in the State, and by the tuition of non-resident pupils and its share of various funds it is almost independent of the city's aid. A special drawing teacher was employed this year for the first time, with good results. Music has been taught by a special instructor for many years.

ces.

Lansingburgh school-houses are badly overcrowded, and when at the beginning of the year of 1885-86 it was attempted to equalize the number in the various schools, the effort was opposed by many of the parents whose children were affected, and loss to the schools resulted. The methods of teaching have been wonderfully improved and made more practical.

New Rochelle maintains three graded schools, employing 23 teachers. Kindergarten methods are employed in the primary departments. Drawing is taught in all grammar-school grades.

Oswego schools are divided into primary, junior, and senior departments, and a high school. A school library of 5,262 volumes is extensively used by the scholars.

Poughkeepsie reports that no material change has taken place in the public schools or in their management during 1885-'86. Many of the rooms used are crowded and a new building is asked for; no pupils have been refused, but many transfers have been necessary. Slight modifications have been made in the high-school course, and an additional teacher employed. A library and reading room are maintained for the schools at a cost this year of $3,348. The amount received from the State was unusually small, being one-fourth of the entire expense. The special drawing teacher reports increased interest in the work and better results than ever before.

Rome schools have been so crowded during 1885-'86 that premature promotions have been resorted to. Pupils from the advanced school have been admitted to the high school after only partial examinations to make room for those of lower grades, and for these the high-school gymnasium has been fitted as a school-room and an additional teacher employed. The time allotted to the high school, 3 years, is not considered sufficient, and it is proposed to add another year. Last winter, for the first time, a teachers' class was formed and profitably taught.

Saratoga Springs reports a satisfactory increase in school attendance, due largely to the more faithful enforcement of the truant laws. The course of study in all grades has been materially improved during 1825-'86, and the school year divided into 2 terms of 20 weeks each. Numerous improvements have been made in buildings, and though some still need repair, the majority are in excellent condition and only one is uncomfortably crowded. The training school is conducted with good results, as usual, and the system is greatly benefited thereby. Forty-two teachers are employed, including 3 specialists for penmanship and drawing, music, and natural sci

ences.

Syracuse city limits have been extended by an act of the State Legislature, bringing a largely increased number of children under the control of the school board. Though the schools generally are overcrowded and too much work is put upon the teachers, 1885-86 has been a year of progress. No new buildings are reported, but some of those already standing have been enlarged, one by the addition of sufficient room for 250 desks. The system is divided into primary, junior, and senior departments, and a high school. No attempt has been made in manual training, but 6 weeks before the close of the session the pupils were asked to bring to the high-school building any work they could complete before a fixed date, and the result was a large assortment of articles of wood, iron, &c., besides many specimens of sewing.

Troy suffered greatly in February, 1886, from the overflow of the river, caused by an ice-gorge. With one exception all the schools in the lower part of the city were closed for from 8 days to a month. The recurrence of the disaster in March and epidemics of measles and scarlet fever all tended to making the year of 1885-'86 a peculiarly unfortunate one, although it had opened under very flattering circumstances. At the beginning of the fall term 3 new houses were occupied, and 15 new teachers were employed to instruct the 335 additional pupils enrolled. The district lines had been changed to conform more nearly to the needs of the school population, and all things seemed to favor a very prosperous year until the disasters spoken of. Nevertheless, the schools have been kept well up to the standard and have done good work, in spite of the drawbacks that have occurred, though many expected advances were impossible. The special music teacher has been very successful this year, and drawing has been taught more effectively by the introduction of more systematic methods. The high-school building is totally inadequate for the needs of the school, and a new house is asked for.

OHIO.

Cincinnati's board of education paid $65,516 upon school sites previously purchased, but bought no new lots during 1885-86. Twelve additional rooms were added to the present buildings, furnishing ample accommodations except in a few instances, including the high schools. Here the rooms used for general exercises have been converted into class rooms, but this failed to relieve the pressure. The normal school continues to do excellent work, the graduating class numbering 47 this year. The University of Cincinnati is a part of the city's school system, and is said to be equal to any similar institution in the country, conferring 4 degrees. The evening schools were not re-opened during the year, nor have they been for 3 years past. A school for deaf-mutes is successfully conducted, with an average attendance of 22 pupils, under 2 able teachers. The course of study in all the schools has been revised, important changes being made in languages, arithmetic, and geography. A growing sentiment against percented examinations is noted, and less importance is attached to them than ever before. The discipline in the schools is good and the infliction of corporal punishment is very rare. Much attention is paid to the study of German, and special teachers are employed for it. Music, penmanship, and drawing are also taught by special instructors.

Cleveland reports the opening of 2 new schools during 1885-86. The "specialteacher" system in the high schools has not found favor in the eyes of the superintendent and was greatly modified during the year, with good results, it is said. The training school is prosperous and graduated more of its pupils this year than ever before. Night schools are conducted with au average attendance of 579.5, requiring 23 teachers. Marked progress has been made by those who attended regularly. German is taught by special teachers, and music, penmanship, and drawing are supervised by specialists.

Columbus schools were crippled financially this year by an action of the tax commission reducing the levy for school purposes. One new building of 11 rooms was occupied at the beginning of the year and is now comfortably filled. Another is still in process of erection and will be ready for use in a few months. Notable improvement has been made in the systems of heating and ventilation in many of the buildings. An additional school has been opened in the Garfield building. The superintendent of drawing has instructed his pupils during the year in modelling, but beyond this no steps have been taken toward manual training. Pupils are encouraged, however, to make fancy articles, requiring skill and thought, for the ornamentation of their school-rooms. A business course has been recently introduced in the high school in response to the popular clamor for practical education. The study of music is superintended by a skilled musician.

Dayton's school board pursues a liberal policy toward the schools under its charge, and it has brought them to a high degree of usefulness. A greater number is in attendance than ever before, and at the close of year 1885-86 $52,892 remained in the treasury. A handsome edifice to be used for the school library is approaching completion, and the 22,941 volumes will then be well cared for. Two new school buildings, each containing 4 rooms, will soon be ready for their occupants. The College street building has been remodelled at a cost of $650, and an annex to another building has been fitted for school purposes at a small cost. Three night schools are maintained, one for the ordinary English branches and one each for architectural and mechanical drawing. Slight changes have been made in the course of study, particularly in the high school. The normal class continues to do excellent work.

Newark is justly proud of the splendid new high-school building dedicated in April, 1886. It is built of pressed brick and sandstone, finished in polished woods, and is 98 feet front by 104 feet deep and 106 feet to the pinnacle of the tower. The schoolrooms, not including the assembly room or the recitation rooms, are provided with desks for 425 pupils. The assembly room is furnished with 540 opera chairs, and is

92 feet wide by 38 deep. The entire building is thoroughly ventilated and well heated, about 3 miles of pipe being used in the heating apparatus. The entire cost of the building, lot, and furniture was $62,000. There are now 41 school-rooms occupied in the city, and the number of teachers shows an increase of 2 over last year. Spe. cial teachers are employed for German, penmanship, and music.

Sandusky reports an increased enrolment this year, and the addition of 3 more teachers to the corps. Nine hundred and six pupils study German and 5 special teachers are employed for the study of that language.

Steubenville has 2,340 children in its schools and an abundance of room for many more. The buildings are all in fair condition, and the majority are well heated and ventilated. A gradual improvement in discipline is noted, and this, too, while mild methods are superseding the use of the rod.

OREGON.

Portland explains the very slight increase in the enrolment for 1885-'86 by the fact that the Catholic children have been withdrawn from the public schools. A magniticent house for the high school has been completed during the year after an expenditure of nearly $130,000. It is a model school building, provided with every modern convenience. Unfortunately, the contract for its erection contained no clause relating to the furniture and fixtures of the assembly room, and a series of public entertainments have been given by the pupils for the purpose of supplying them, and about $1,150 have been realized.

Since the completion of this building no more money has been paid for rents for school purposes. Extensive repairs have been made upon the older buildings.

PENNSYLVANIA.

Beaver Falls schools were in session 160 days in, 1885-'86, and a prosperous year is reported. The population of the town is rapidly increasing, and the accommodations of the primary and intermediate departments are now inadequate. Assistant teachers have been placed in the first-year rooms of two schools, and the experiment has proven successful.

Chambersburgh schools have made much more satisfactory progress in 1885-'86 than in the year previons, but they are still hindered by the lack of buildings and teachers. Even after a new building has been opened, with a capacity of 250 pupils, the average number of scholars in each room in the primary department is 66. A regular course of study was arranged during the year and put into use, by which the work of each grade is largely increased.

Johnstown children were very regular in their attendance upon the schools during 1885-86, and reached the highest percentage in the history of the schools, 94.6. An increased improvement in discipline is noticeable, and corporal punishment is seldom necessary. Drawing is thoroughly and practically taught by a special teacher.

Westchester rejoices in increased school facilities and improved classification of its schools. A complete re-organization of the intermediate and primary departments has been made possible by the opening of a handsome new school-house, containing 12 large rooms, and this step, long needed, was taken during the year. Slight changes have been made in text-books, but the course of study remains substantially the same as last year. A considerable amount has been expended in new furniture for three of the departments. The graduating exercises of the high school were more largely attended than ever before.

Wilkesbarre reports that the year 1885-'86 has been one of unusual interest in the schools. The principal incident to be noted is the complete revision of the course of study in all the schools; new studies have been introduced and the course extended in such a way as to add greatly to the efficiency of the schools. Book-keeping and commercial law have been taught for the first time in the high school, and a new course, entirely, the English scientific, established. The "no-recess plan" was introduced in April last and has given general satisfaction. It is a noteworthy fact that nearly all the teachers subscribe regularly for educational periodicals, showing a desire for self-improvement. A large number of cases of tardiness has occurred during the year, the average being 5 to each scholar.

RHODE ISLAND.

Bristol maintains 10 graded and 1 ungraded schools, employing 25 teachers. The sanitary condition of all the buildings is not good, and immediate attention to the matter is requested. Many improvements in desks and furniture are noted. The course of study remaius the same as last year.

Johnston school committee are greatly hampered by the school-district system, whereby they have no control over the schools except in the division of money. The condition of the schools does not seem to be very encouraging, except in a few districts. There is a general lack of books and apparatus, truancy causes considerable trouble, and many of the buildings are in wretched condition. Repairs in some cases

have been made; 2 districts have built new houses and another has enlarged its building and repainted it, but these improvements are exceptional. It appears that the establishment of a high school has been determined upon. Some improvements in methods of teaching are reported.

Newport schools are in a comparatively good condition, and under a competent corps of teachers. The course of study is revised annually, and the principal changes made this year include au increase of laboratory work in physics in the high school and a more thorough study of English throughout the course. In compliance with the State law the study of physiology and hygiene was introduced last September, and the scope of the study will be gradually enlarged. Excellent methods of examination and marking are in use, the pupils being allowed to appeal from any injustice in marking and to profit by their errors. The attendance has been larger this year than ever before. A kindergarten, evening schools, special teachers for music and drawing, are noted.

Pawtucket is greatly benefited by the truant law, as the increased attendance of the pupils and the absence of the idle children from the streets show. The teachers evince a commendable desire to improve their methods of teaching, and it is said that they leave nothing undone that will conduce to that end. The occupation of the two new houses mentioned in the last report has relieved the crowding in the primary schools, and two more brick buildings are being built and will soon be ready for use. An additional teacher has been employed for the high school, and a new room opened for the grammar school. It is hoped that thus all the pressing needs of the schools may be provided for. Four evening schools are in operation, under 31 teachers. An evening drawing school has proven itself to be exceedingly useful to its pupils. The plan of abolishing the long noon recess and liberating the children at 2 o'clock has been accorded a trial during the year and will be permanently adopted.

Westerly received and expended $6,868 for schools during 1885-'86. The buildings are not all in good order, and much of the furniture is of an antiquated pattern, but in one district, No. 1, the schools are graded and well supplied with improved desks and apparatus. A new primary-school building will soon be completed in this district, and all its wants will then be provided for as far as accommodations are concerned.

Woonsocket streets are remarkable for the absence of idle children. The truant law is rigidly enforced, and the small number of children out of the schools is very gratifying. The subjects of sanitation and ventilation are receiving increased attention, and the school committee recently passed a resolution to prohibit the erection of any more school-houses without complete arrangements for proper ventilation, &c. The 5 parochial schools are in the main well conducted, and are under the supervision, if not control, of the school committee. Four evening schools, with a total enrolment of 574, were open 50 nights during 1885-'86, and admirable discipline was maintained and good results obtained. Many of the buildings are badly crowded, and in one district relief has been had by the erection of an attractive house, with all modern conveniences, costing over $6,000.

SOUTH CAROLINA.

Columbia reports a gratifying improvement in punctuality and increased interest in the schools. The amount available for school uses is gradually increasing, and the unexpended balance on hand at the end of the year 1885-'86 is larger than ever before. Teachers' meetings have been held for the first time during the year and much benefit is derived. The school-rooms are all well equipped, but more are needed.

TENNESSEE.

Chattanooga's school year is composed of nine months. The schools are so graded that each grade requires a year's study, but in the primary department, and occasionally in the grammar grades, promotions are made oftener when individuals show themselves capable of maintaining their standing in the higher class. The enrolment shows an increase of 163 over last year, and the decreased percentage of attendance is explained by the fact that high water a part of the time prevented many of the children from going to school.

Union City school interests are steadily advancing and the schools well attended. The school year has been lengthened from seven to eight months and the daily session made one-half hour longer. Tardiness and truancy have been almost wholly abolished by the stringent regulations made during the year. New methods are introduced when the old are found to be at fault, but generally a conservative spirit rules. During 1885-'86 colored schools have been organized under the same management as the white schools, and an enrolment in them of 237 pupils is reported.

TEXAS.

Galveston lost one of its best and most commodious school-houses in the great fire of November. 1885, but in its place has arisen a model of school architecture, capable of seating 450 pupils. By this fire 600 school children were made homeless, but never