EDUCATION. in 1900 there was 16.5 per cent. (colored, 40.1) of the population ten years of age and over who were illiterate, as against 21.6 in 1890. In 1900-01 there were 234,256 whites and 31.178 colored pupils enrolled in the schools, 60.7 per cent. of the former and 56 per cent. of the latter being in average attendance. Ken tucky, in common with other Southern States, has to contend with difficulties arising out of a rural population, and the presence in many parts of the State of a large negro population. Fur thermore, the State did not receive land grants for educational purposes. Consequently, it has no large educational endowment. fund, and thus suffers in comparison with some of the younger commonwealths. Administrative difficulties have further handicapped educational progress. The plan of having a large number of unpaid school trustees—there are about 24.000—has proved a failure. Owing to a decision of the Court of Appeals limiting the freedom in the matter of levying a tax in school districts, there has been for a num ber of years a standstill in the building of school houses. There is, however, a very efficient system of county superintendcnee, and the cities. which are semv de and distinct from the counties in administration, as a rule have very efficient graded schools, and most of them have high schools.
The length of the school term is also often quite adequate in the cities, hut the short terms in the rural districts bring the school year for the State to only 115 days (1900). In 1000.01
there were 4071 male and 3829 female white teachers, and 451 male and 706 female colored teachers in the State. The average salary re ceived by white teachers is $34.10. and that of colored teachers $29.95. The State laws make it possible, by the passing of certain examina tions, to secure a diploma permitting the holder to teach for life, or to secure a certificate which holds for eight years. Three grades of county certificates are also granted. The State main tains a normal training school at Corinth, and there are also a number of private normal schools. An agricultural and mechanical college is sup ported by the State at Lexington. nigher edu cation is also afforded through the agency of a large number of private and denominational col leges and universities. There is a State normal and industrial institution for colored pupils at Frankfort. For the year ending in June. 1901, the total receipts of the State for educational purposes amounted to $1,991,754, of which $1. 483,240 came from the State treasury. The dis bursements for the same year amounted to $1, 878,954. The per capita cost, based upon average attendance, was $6.49 for white and $7.44 for colored pupils.