The Redwood gazette. [volume] (Redwood Falls, Minn.) 1873-1940, 1893-06-15
School Boards and Friends.

School Boards and Friends.
l desire to call your attention to
the Free Text Book Law, passed by
the Legislature Of 1898. The law full
ly Authorizes school boards to supply
their schools with ali the needful and
necessary books under their charge.
There is abroad an idea that free books
will bring untried ideas into use; that
books provided free will be freely de-
stroyed; that it is very expensive
plan. In Massachusetts,, Pennsylvania
and Nebraska, where the system has
been fully tried it has been>shown that
the objections are not true. It is true
that it costs more for the first year, but
for the first year only. To get started
it will cost district about $3.50 per
scholar for the number enrolled, and
after that about fifty cents per pupil
Some counties in our own State, not
ably Becker and Dodge, have fully
demonstrated the cheapness and utili-
ty of the plan. "What are the real
advantages?" asks a school clerk.
Among which may be mentioned, in
creased attendance, saying of ex-
pense in furnishing books, supply of
books for each pupil the very first day
of school. the ease by which one pupil
may be transferred from one grade to
another when too difficult books have
been supplied to him. The books are
not to be given to the pupils but sim
ply loaned. The teacher is to become
responsible for the books, while she in
turn makes the pupil, which indirect
ly means the parent. A book is to be
furnished the teacher, in which the
name of each pupil is entered. He is
charged with each book he uses. Its
condition is noted from month to
month. All books lost or destroyed
he is to pay for. I shall here attempt
to answer several questions which
have lotely been submitted. I'm what
way shall the books be bought and
what kinds shall be used'" The law
empowers school boards to provide
free books and to contract for three or
five years if you wish to. You are to
buy where you wish and of whomso-
ever you wish. "When can the books
be bought" At any time. "What
will they costa" The State Superin-
tendent of Public instruction has had
certified copy of complete list of
text books from the various publish
ing houses, some twenty-five in num-
Der, with special net prices attached.
Each man can see just what each book
will cost. "Who has the best books?"
No one house has all the best books:
Some publisher has an excellent arith-
metic, another a good geography, q
third has work on language,a fourth
work on reading and SO on. "Who is
to select the books?" The district
boards are fully authorized to do so.
"Why not let the board of county
commissioners select the books or APP
point a committee?" A committee
might get set of good books or even
Objectionable ones. If we could have
competent teachers,it would not make
so much difference for poor book in
the hand of good teacher is much
better than good book in the hand
of poor teacher. Some teachers teach
subjects, others teach the book.
"Shall We have county uniforpity?"
It is Not necessary. If the district
towns the books no confusion takes
place from removals. You own no
books as individuals. You lose moth
ing by transferring your residence
from one district to another. County
uniformity is really not desirable.
Unity of thought is surely not desir-
able. shall mail to each clerk a CODY
of certified list with price attached
of school text books that each district
can see what it's books will cost.
Where districts desire it I will give
such aid as can in the matter of sell
Getting books. A large number of the
books at present in use are good, but
some are not, particularly those in
language and arithmetic. I would
advise boards to move slowly in the