system has grown in Ohio since it was first suggested by H. U. Johnson, of Ashtabula county, in 1872, until the last legislature definitely defined centralization, permitting boards of education. to submit the question of township centralization of schools to the vote of the people upon petition of one-fourth the voters. The law provides for the organization of a township board of education, consisting of five members elected at large in the district for three-year terms, doing away with the sub-district organization. It provides for transportation and definitely. indicates which pupils shall be conveyed at public expense. It requires a graded course of instruction and authorizes a high school, setting the minimum limit of the course at two years.

RECENT SCHOOL LEGISLATION IN OTHER STATES.

CALIFORNIA.

Chapter 229, laws of 1901, makes a number of amendments to the school laws, among which the following are of the most importance:

1. Authorizing board of trustees of the State Normal School to issue diplomas, and providing that such diplomas shall entitle the holders to certificates in any county or city in the state.

2. Providing in a general way for the duties and powers of the State Board of Education: (a) to adopt rules and regulations for its own government; (b) to prescribe rules for granting certificates and diplomas; (c) to grant four kinds of diplomas, namely, high school, grammer school, kindergarten, and special certificates; (d) to revoke or suspend diplomas and certificates; (e) to designate some educational journal as the official organ of the department of public instruction.

3. Classifies the public schools of California into three classes, namely: high schools, technical schools, and grammar and primary schools.

4. Provides for the meeting of the county board of education. These boards have power to, (a) adopt and enforce rules of examination; (6) grant four kinds of certificates-high school, grammar school, kindergarten and special. They may also grant permanent certificates under certain restrictions. Certificates that are not permanent shall be valid for six years. This board has also power to adopt a list of books and apparatus for school libraries, except in cities.

5. City boards of education are provided for in cities of the first, second and third classes.

ANNUITIES.

Chapter 230, provides for the payment of annuities to teachers who have been contributors to the annuity fund and who have taught in the schools of California for thirty years.

The annuitants are divided into six (6) classes-the annuities of each depending upon the length of time and the amount he has contributed to the fund.

HIGH SCHOOLS.

Chapter 146, provides for the establishment of high schools in cities, incorporated towns or districts, upon petition by a majority vote of the qualified

electors.

RESTRICTIONS UPON RECITATIONS AND HOME STUDY.

Chapter 238, provides in what branches instruction must be given. In addition to those provided for in the Iowa law, the following are mentioned: "Nature Study," and "Humane Education."

This chapter provides further, that no more than twenty recitations per week shall be required of pupils in the secondary schools, and no pupil under the age of fifteen years in any grammar or primary school shall be required to do any home study.

COLORADO-PARENTAL OR TRUANT SCHOOLS.

Chapter 98, laws of 1901, provides for the establishment and maintenance of parental or truant schools in cities having a population of 100,000 or more. Children found guilty of habitual truancy, or a persistent violation of the rules of the public schools by the judge of the county court, shall be sent to such schools-the cost of board and clothing to be paid by the parent or guardian of such child.

Boards of education in cities of 25,000 people or over, and less than 100,000, may upon a vote of a majority of the legal voters of such city also establish such schools.

ILLINOIS-HIGH SCHOOL DISTRICTS.

Act of May 11, 1901, provides for the creation and maintenance of a "High School District" out of two or more adjoining townships or school districts.

TEACHERS' AND EMPLOYES' PENSION FUND.

The act of May 31, 1895 is amended to read as follows: The board of education in cities having a population exceeding 100,000 inhabitants, shall have power, and it shall be the duty of said board, to create a public school teachers', and public school employes' pension and retirement fund, and for that purpose shall set apart the following money, to-wit:

1. An amount not exceeding one per cent per annum of the respective salaries paid to teachers, which amount shall be deducted in equal installments from said salaries at the regular time for the payment of such salaries. 2. All moneys received from donations, legacies, gifts, bequests, or otherwise, on account of said fund.

3. All moneys which may be derived from all other sources, but no tax shall ever be levied for said fund.

INDIANA-ESTABLISHING JOINT DISTRICTS.

Chapter 42, laws of 1901, provides for the consolidation of two or more adjacent school corporations; said consolidation to be made by the school trustees of the respective districts, upon proper petition to them.

MINIMUM WAGES.

Chapter 245, 1901, provides that the daily wages of teachers for teaching in the public schools and attending county and township institutes shall not be less than an amount determined by multiplying two and one-half cents by the general average of scholarship and success given the teacher on his highest grade of license at time of contracting.

SCHOOL CORPORATIONS MAY ACQUIRE PROPERTY BY GIFT, BEQEST, ETC.

See chapter 241, laws of 1901: The interests, rents, or other proceeds of such gifts or bequests shall not be devoted to the payment of any debts of the corporation, nor to the payment of salaries, or wages of teachers, nor