Page:The American Cyclopædia (1879) Volume VI.djvu/435

 EDUCATION 427 years; a law school, two years; a scientific school, with a four years' course in civil and topographical engineering, three years' courses in practical and theoretical chemistry, in natu- ral history, and in mathematics, physics, and astronomy, besides teachers' courses of one year and instruction for advanced students ; a school of mining and practical geology, with a four years' course; medical school, three years; an astronomical observatory, with special in- struction ; a dental school ; a school of agricul- ture and horticulture ; a museum of compara- tive zoology; and the Peabody museum of American archeology and ethnology. (See HARVAED UNIVEESITT.) The United States government exercises no control over public education, and makes no regular provision for its support, except that military instruction is afforded at West Point, N. Y., in a four years' course, and also at the school of artillery, For- tress Monroe, Va., and naval instruction at Annapolis, Md., free of charge. These insti- tutions are wholly supported and controlled by the general government, and are intended to provide trained officers for the army and navy. Liberal aid, however, has been extend- ed by congress for purposes of education, by various grants of land dating as far back as 1803. The land granted or reserved for com- mon schools and universities amounts to about 68,000,000 acres, in addition to which 7,830,- 000 acres were reserved by act of congress passed July 2, 1862, granting to the several states and territories 30,000 acres for each sen- ator and representative in congress, to provide " colleges for the benefit of agriculture and the mechanic arts." The organization and man- agement of these institutions are transferred to the respective states on certain conditions. In almost every state the funds thus realized have been added to those of some existing institu- tion in order that better results may be ob- tained by the concentration of resources ; but in such cases the government funds must be devoted to the special studies for which they were intended. In 1867 an important step, growing out of the numerous inquiries and de- mands by foreign educators and others for in- formation and statistics concerning education in the United States, was taken by congress in the establishment of a department, now called the bureau of education, " for the purpose of collecting such statistics and facts as shall show the condition and progress of education in the several states and territories, and of diffusing such information respecting the organization and management of school systems and meth- ods of teaching as shall aid the people of the United States in the establishment and main- tenance of efficient school systems, and other- wise promote the cause of education through- out the country." At the head of this bureau is a commissioner who makes an annual report to congress, which is printed for gratuitous popular distribution. This report aims to pre- sent full information concerning all the educa- tional institutions in the different states and cities, and all educational forces, such as libra- ries, museums, newspapers, and periodicals. It also presents a summary of the latest educa- tional information and statistics of all parts of the world, and contains articles on various sub- jects connected with education. The bureau also publishes in pamphlet form reports on education in different countries. According to this authority, the total school population of the 34 states and 7 territories reporting in 1872 was 12,828,847, and the enrollment 7,379,656. In 28 states and 4 territories re- porting, the average attendance was 4,110,- 525. The number not registered in 34 states and 6 territories reporting was 4,608,803. There were attending private schools in 18 states and 5 territories 364,283. The number of teachers reported in 33 states and 7 terri- tories was 217,239. The total income in all the states and territories from which it is re- ported was $72,630,269, of which $55,889,790 were from taxation ; total expenditure for edu- cational purposes, $70,891,981. In 31 states having a permanent school fund the total amount was reported at $65,850,572. Of 326 cities in the United States, 295 reported their school population at 2,123,889; in 318, the enrollment was 1,215,897; in 298, the average attendance was 787,860 ; in 292, the number of schools is reported at 7,917 ; and in 315, the number of teachers at 23,194. The following summary of educational institutions in the United States is reported by the bureau of education for 1872 : INSTITUTIONS. No. Teach- ers. Pupils. Normal schools 101 773 11,778 Business colleges 66 263 8,451 811 4,501 98,829 Colleges 298 3 WO Institutions for superior instruction 175 1,617 11,288 Schools of science endowed by na- 38 411 2,971 Schools of science (including collegi- ate departments) not so endowed.. 32 108 313 435 2,44? 8,351 42 151 1.976 61 607 4,887 " " eclectic 3 6 8 259 585 59 58 199 13 86 650 27 513 1,856 " " deaf mutes 36 26 267 831 4,33T 4,230 77 852 10,324 From the United States census for 1870 it ap- pears that of the 17,389,784 persons between 5 and 24 years of age inclusive, 7,209,938, or more than one third, were receiving instruction, As the number over 21 under instruction must be very limited, nearly one half of the popula- tion between 5 and 20 years of age, inclusive (14,507,658), are reported to be in institutions of learning. The total number of instructors
 * 45617
 * Unclassified, 6,694; preparatory, 19,476 ; collegiate, 19,249.