This exercise uses primary sources – the reports the local school superintendents were required to make to the state every year. Have your students examine Table No. 3 and 10 from the Annual Report of the Superintendent of Schools in 1888 and 1889 for Loudoun County (in cover pocket). First, ask them to make the necessary observations and calculations to answer questions 1 to 9. Then ask them to draw conclusions about the equality of segregated schools during the late 19th century based on this statistical information.
Note that black people are referred to as “colored” in this statistical table. “Tuition” refers the amount of money spent per pupil; it does not mean that parents had to pay tuition so their children could attend public schools, which were free. The Waterford School was located in the Jefferson School District.
