PROCEEDINGS OF THE BOARD OF REGENTS. 223 



1800.0, or in some still more active way, by enlisting interest and securing aid 

 from other sources. 



For several months past I have devoted such time and means as I could to 

 the preliminary steps, and, as you are aware, I now desire only the means* of 

 defraying the indispensable outlays, wishing to contribute my own services in 

 behalf of the work. 



I am, dear sir, very respectfully and truly yours, 



B. A. GOULD. 

 Professor Joseph Henry, 



Secretary of the Smithsonian Institution. 



Project of an outline history of public education in the United States, by 



Frederic A. Packard. 



The proposed volume to contain from GOO to 800 pages royal 8vo, to be 

 put up in a cheap form, in the manner of legislative documents, with ample 

 tables, indexes, &c, for easy reference. If it shall be thought best, the form 

 might be changed to two volumes — one embracing the original thirteen States, 

 and the other the remaining States and Territories. The plan of the work 

 would comprise the following topics : 



I. Of universal education, considered as an essential element of free political 

 institutions, what should be its character and extent? 



II. An historical sketch of the laws of the several States on the subject of 

 education, and the establishment of public schools, academies, and colleges. In 

 this connexion would be given the provisions for education under the colonial 

 government, and their influence on succeeding legislation. 



III. An abstract or synopsis of all laws now in force in the several States 

 touching public education, and of contemporaneous judicial expositions of the 

 law, so far as they affect the essential principles of the system. 



IV. A sketch of the present state of public education in the country : 

 (a.) Of the division of territory for school purposes, what and how made ? 

 (b.J Of the manner of raising money for the support of schools, and the 



amount raised and expended in each decade of years, of the present century. 



(c.) Of the permanent revenue for the support of schools — if derived from 

 a fund — when and how was such fund created, and what is its amount and in- 

 vestment ? what portion of the annual school expense is derived from it, and 

 what is its effect to stimulate or depress the working of the system 1 



(d.) Of the number and average age of children under instruction, distin- 

 guishing the sex ; the number in attendance, in proportion to the whole popu- 

 lation, and the average time of attendance. 



(e .) Of the mode of employing teachers and determining their qualifications. 



(f) Of the number of teachers employed, distinguishing the sex ; the compen- 

 sation allowed ; the average age of teachers, male and female separate ; and the 

 average amount of time employed in daily teaching, making distinct heads 

 of summer and winter schools. 



(g.) Of the branches taught in the public schools, and the proportion of time 

 devoted to each. 



(h.) Of the preparation and introduction of school-boohs ; character of them 

 in early schools — improvements in them ; expense of them, and by whom borne ; 

 and the number and variety of them, in the different branches, which are in 

 use in the different schools. 



V. Of normal schools, number, when organized, how supported, number of 

 pupils, terms and condition of admission ; what proportion of pupils pursue 

 teaching for a livelihood, and what proportion of these succeed. 



