Tazewell County Genealogical & Historical Society

“…increasing and enriching public knowledge of our heritage”

  • Join Us/Renew
  • Events
  • Publications
  • Donate
  • Contact Us
  • Home
  • What’s New
  • Our Library
    • Overview
    • Directions
    • Events Schedule
    • Frequently Asked Questions
    • Library Collections
      • Overview
      • Newspapers on Microfilm
      • Ortssippenbücher (OSB) Collection
    • Photograph Collections
      • Mystery Photos
      • Notable Men Photos
      • World War I Soldier Photos
    • Publications
    • FamilySearch Affiliate
  • Research
    • Family Histories
      • App Family Stories
      • Dully Family History
    • Maps
      • Township Boundaries
      • 1833 Tazewell County Map
      • 1836 Tazewell County Map
      • 1857 Tazewell County Map
      • 1873 Tazewell County Map
      • 1873 Tazewell County Map 2
      • 1896 Tazewell County
      • 1920 Tazewell County
        from Prairie Farmer Magazine
      • 1929 Tazewell County
        from Illinois Highway Map
    • Records & Indexes
      • Deaths 1877-1950
      • Deeds 1830-1929
      • Marriage Applications 2020 On
      • Marriage Divorces Granted 2021 On
      • Marriages 1869-1950
      • Prairie Pioneer Certificates
      • Surname Registry
      • The Monthly Newsletter Surname Index 1978-2020
    • Research Guides
      • Amish Mennonites in Tazewell County
      • Tazewell County Cemeteries
      • Tazewell County Education Records
      • Vital Records: Birth, Marriage & Death
      • Links to Other Resources
    • Research Services
  • Historical Tidbits
  • About
    • History of TCGHS
    • Mission & Purpose
    • Our Officers & Board
    • Our Facebook Page
    • Contact Info
    • Contact Us
    • Website Map
  • Support TCGHS
    • Become a Member
    • Donate Funds
    • Donate Items
    • Affiliate Shopping
    • Surname Tree
    • Business Plaque
  • Members Only
    • Content of Members Only Area
    • Login/Logout
    • Register for Members Only
    • Edit Members Only Profile
    • Members Only Assistance
    • Society Documents
      • Bylaws
      • Deadline Dates
      • General Policies
      • Job Descriptions
Home > Research Guides > Tazewell County Education Records

Tazewell County Education Records

The Tazewell County Regional Office of Education (ROE) located at 414 Court Street in Pekin, Illinois is pleased to inform county residents of records dating back to 1911 through 1962 which may be of assistance for research purposes.

Photo of Pekin's First High School
Pekin's First High School - 1867

During the past one hundred years, many changes have taken place in education.  The maintaining of various records gives future generations some insight into what was happening during a particular period of time.

On July 1, 2015, due to a statewide consolidation directed by the Illinois State Board of Education, nine Regional Offices of Education were eliminated and consolidated down to 35 ROEs and 3 suburban Cook County Intermediate Service Centers (ISCs).  As a result, the Mason and Woodford Regional Offices were merged with the Tazewell County Regional Office - changing ROE #53 to a multi-county office.

There have been thirteen County Superintendents of Education since 1901:

A.M. Wells 1901-1911
Ben L. Smith 1911-1919
BI Martin 1919-1927
F.R. Isenburg 1927-1943
L.L. Atteberry 1943-1963
H.A. Schermerhorn 1963-1975
John R. Oberle 1975-1976
Solie G. Myers 1976-1995
Thomas J. Innis 1995-1999
Thomas J. Wojtas 1999-2003
Robin G. Houchin 2003-2011
Gail S. Owen 2011-2016
Patrick Durley 2016-present

Early records indicate that the County Superintendent was indeed the superintendent for the entire county with all reports directed to the office.  Currently, Tazewell County has eighteen public school districts each having their own district superintendent.  Eleven communities are represented.

For instance, in 1911 there were 125 school districts from nineteen townships.  Many of the school districts began the school year September 4th and ended on May 3rd.  Teachers taught 170 days at an average compensation of $50 per month.  Grades were reported numerically with typical schools housing between 20 to 28 students representing grades 1 through 8.  Records on daily attendance were kept with a question asked if the work was passing for each student.  Interestingly, academic success, even back in the early part of the century, correlated with attendance.  Students missing excessive days of school often failed.

In the teacher's summary report, questions were asked as to the value of school apparatus; the number of volumes of books in the library and the number of living trees on the school grounds.  Additional questions asked if the teacher was following the county course or supplementing coursework with the state course.  Finally, a section was devoted to any teacher remarks to the superintendent with the following note:

“State what your school needs in apparatus, blackboards, etc; also give the names of pupils not provided with books, naming the books needed.  Suggest wherein the County Superintendent can co-operate with you for the advancement of your school, etc”

The 1920's requested additional information on the “Yearly Report of Classification, Standing, Advancement, and Attendance.”  Some schools began the year as early as August 29th and ending in early May.  The total number of attendance days ranged from as few as 150 days to as many as 173.  The typical school day began at 9:00 AM and ended at 4:00 PM with daily programs listed with beginning times, length in minutes, and with what subject being taught. Teacher salaries were now between $90 and $135 per month.

Questions regarding the value of the school library, general condition of library books, general condition of the schoolroom and number of trees in thriving condition.  Inquiry was also made as to the condition of the outbuildings for boys and girls as well as the coalhouse.  Some teachers were beginning to use letter grades such as E, G, F and U.  The number of visits by the superintendent, school officers, and others was also detailed.

From some of the examples cited above, one can get a glimpse of what school conditions were like earlier in the century in Tazewell County.  While specific individual student records cannot be disclosed, directory information can be verified.  The Regional Office of Education's hours are from 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM.  The office phone number is (309) 477-2290 or visit us at our website.

—Originally contributed in 2000 by Joy Wojtas, Certification Specialist, Tazewell County Regional Office of Education
—Updated September 2017 by Patrick Durley, Regional Superintendent of Schools, Mason-Tazewell-Woodford Regional Office of Education #53

Cart

Search our Website:

Generic selectors
Exact matches only
Search in title
Search in content
Post Type Selectors

Upcoming Events

Apr 11

April Meeting

April 11 @ 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Pekin IL
United States

April Meeting is cancelled due to installation of new mobile shelving. More…

Jun 02

Carolyn’s Closet Rummage Sale

June 2 @ 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
Pekin IL
United States

Annual Carolyn’s Closet Rummage Sale. Donations drop off begins Monday, May 1. More…

Jun 03

Carolyn’s Closet Rummage Sale

June 3 @ 8:00 am - 3:00 pm
Pekin IL
United States

Annual Carolyn’s Closet Rummage Sale. Donations drop off begins Monday, May 1. More…

View More…

Visit Us

Ehrlicher Research Center
719 N 11th Street
PO Box 312
Pekin, IL 61555-0312
(309) 477-3044
Contact TCGHS
Map & Directions

Our Hours

Monday 9:00 am-1:00 pm
Tuesday 9:00 am-1:00 pm
  7:00 pm-9:00 pm
Wednesday   9:00 am-4:30 pm
Thursday 9:00 am-1:00 pm
Friday 9:00 am-1:00 pm
Sunday 2:00 pm-4:30 pm

Quick Links

  • Join Us/Renew
  • Library Overview
  • Coming Events
  • Society Publications
  • Research Services
  • Donate to the Society
  • Contact Us

Resources

Website Map

Links to Other Resources

Generic selectors
Exact matches only
Search in title
Search in content
Post Type Selectors

© 1999–2023 • Tazewell County Genealogical & Historical Society • All Rights Reserved

Copyright • Terms of Use • Privacy