14 INTRODUCTION. 
lifications are approved by inspectors elected by the people; a contribution by 
means of taxation in each school district, of a sum equal to that apportioned to 
the district out of the public funds; the supplying of any deficiency in the funds 
necessary for the support of the schools, by the charging of tuition fees upon 
such parents and cuardians as are of sufficient ability ; the exemption of the poor 
from all charges for tuition fees ; the maintenance of a school in each district, not 
less than four months in each year; the visitation and examination of schools by 
the inspectors, and by a deputy superintendent of common schools for the county, 
the latter officer beng appointed by the supervisors ; and a supervision and care 
of the entire school system of the state, by the secretary of state, who is superin- 
tendent of common schools, and to whom annual reports of the condition, progress 
and statistics of each school district are made by the trustees thereof; the main- 
tenance of schools wherever necessary for the education of children of African 
descent; the maintenance of normal schools in the most flourishing academical 
institutions, for the instruction of teachers of both sexes; the publication and dis- 
tribution to each school of a periodical journal, exclusively devoted to the cause 
of education and not of a sectarian or party character, and in which are published 
the laws of the state, the regulations established by the superintendent, and his 
decisions upon questions affecting the organization, administration and govern- 
ment of the schools; and a comprehensive annual report to the legislature by the 
superintendent, of the condition of the schools throughout the state.* 
The whole number of school districts in the state is 10,886, im which schools 
are maintained during an average period of eight months in each year. The 
number of children instructed is 603,583. The whole amount of money expended 
for the payment of wages of teachers is $1,043,000 ; of which $560,000 are public 
money, and the remainder is contributed by individuals.t 
It is apparent that the efficiency of the public school system must depend 
in a great measure upon the ability, zeal, and efficiency of the superintendent of 
+ Laws of New-York, 1841. + Annual report of S. S, Ranpanw, deputy superintendent of common schools, 1842. 
