The Jackson standard. [volume] (Jackson C.H., Ohio) 1847-1888, 1879-03-13

For many years past the condition and
needs of the Ungraded Schools of Ohio
has been the theme of earnest discussion
in educational conventions, in the press
and educational journals, and in our leg
islative halls For forty years much
space in the annual reports of the heads
of the State School Department has been
devoted to the advocacy of certain meas
ures which would increase the efficiency
of country schools. Bills having like
purpose in view have, from time to time,
been brought before the General Assem-
bly,. Some of these bills were not acted
upon during the session in which they
were introduced; others failed to become
laws owing to the lack of a constitutional
majority in their favor. These efforts
grew out of the fact, widely recognized
by the observant friends of education,
that the ungraded schools of the State
were not showing results commensurate
with the vast sums of money annually
spent in their support.
Deeply impressed with the need of do
ing something to improve and vitalize a
most important branch of our education
al service, the educators of Ohio organ
lied tie Ungraded School Section of the
Ohio State Teachers Association and
invited the CO operation of the friends of
education all over the State in move
ment having in view thorough and
free discussion, before the people, of the
condition of country schools and the best
measures to urge as means of promoti g
their welfare. In furtherance of these
objects, arrangements were made for
| holding mass convention in each con-
| gressional district of the State prior to
the meeting of the State Convention in
Columbus, January 10 and II, 1879. The
district conventions were largely attend
ed and were instrumental in stimulatin 9
that public sentiment that now favors
some wisely directed legislative action in
behalf of country schools. The State
Convention assembled in Columbus, at
| the appointed time, and after two DAYS
spent in discussion finally gave unani.
nous assent to the following statements
and resolution:
"WHEREAs, This convention hold these
truths to be absolute and universal:
a. That the concern of parents for the
good of their children absorbs and con-
trolls all other human interests.
"2. That the welfare of the State de
pends upon the morality and intelligence
of its people.
So That to prepare children for sue
cessful and useful lives, and for the just
performance of their duties in the pri
mary meeting and at the polls, good
schools are indispensable.
II. That good schools can not be Sc
cured without the direction and supervi
sion of skilled experts and
WHEREAS, The truth last named is
further supported by experience and OBJ
servation to the effect,
81. That while very great improvement
! has been made in the schools of the cit
les under supervision, the ungraded
schools of the rural districts have made
little advancement.
90 That in consequence of the improv
ed condition Of the schools in the State:
in which county supervision was first in
troduced, State after State has incorpor
ated it as part Of its system of schoo
administration, till at the present time i
| is a cherished feature of the school sys
TENS in three-fourths of the States of thu
Union.
"3 That it is the common estimate o
observers that one-half of the time O
children attending the rural distric
schools is wasted for want of the adapta
ton of each successive step of instruction
to that which preceded and that which
is to follow.
~. That the people of the rural dis
tricts who are within the reach of tow
or city schools, and who are able to NEE
the expense, very commonly seek to hav
their children educated in these schools
"5. That the boys and girls thus sent t.
cities for education are estranged from
the life and duties of the farm and cour
try household and that as result tn
tendency of population is to larger cities
thus interfering with the proper distribu
ton of labor and with the best develop
ment Of the resources of the whole cour
try.