EDUCATION. In the year 1900, 5.1 per cent. of the population ten years of age and over was illiterate. For the native white population alone it was 2.4 per cent. As in the other New England States, much attention was given here to educa tion from the earliest colonial period. In 1821, soon after the establishment of Statehood, a law was passed requiring every town and plantation to raise and expend not less than forty cents an nually per inhabitant for school purposes. A law of set apart twenty townships of public land for the establishment of a publie school fund. This was augmented by certain moneys received from Massachusetts on account of claims against the United States for services in the War of 1812. The district plan of school supervision has been abolished and town management has taken its place. There is a strictly enforced compulsory attendance law which covers the age period from seven to fifteen inclusive. The whole number of scholars in attendance during the school year of 1901 was 132,862, of whom 97,038 were in average daily attendance. In 1901 there were 1349 graded and 2896 ungraded schools. The average length of the school term in 1900 was 141 dot.. Secondary education was very generally provided for, even before public aid was ex tended to it, by a large number of private or de nominational academies. In 1873 provision was made for State aid to towns which maintained schools for free academic instruction. This
proved a death blow to many of the old acade mies. In many instances the old academy build ings were occupied by the free high school. In 1559 towns were authorized to contract with any academy or high school for the tuition of their scholars, and to receive the same aid from the State as if they had established a free high school within the town. A large number of academies now receive State aid. in 1901 there were 211 free high schools receiving aid from the State, with a total attendance of 13,1S3. In 1900 the State employed 6445 teachers, of whom 5360 were mninen. State normal schools are maintained at Farmington, Castine, and Gorham. In 1895 the State authorized the State superintendent to hold three or more summer schools, each of two weeks' duration, for the benefit of teachers. In 1901, 1408 of the State's teachers had graduated from normal schools. The State has charge of the examination and certification of teachers. The total expenditure for schools in 1900 was $1,712, 795, of which 81,229,004 was paid as salaries to teachers and superintendents. Higher educa tion is provided for at the State University at (Iron°, and by the following denominational col leges: Bowdoin (Congregational) at Brunswick, Bates (Free Baptist) at Lewiston, and Colby (Baptist) at Waterville.