Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1895-07-18
UNIFORMITY oF TEXT BOOKS.
To the Editors of the DEMOCRAT:

On July 25, the day provided by law
for holding annual school elections,
the patrons of our public schools will
be asked TO vote upon county uniform
ity of text books. One year ago this
question was voted upon, without any
previous discussion, with little or no
conside ration on the day of election.
Many districts even neglected to record
vote. Consequently the proposition
was defeated by small majority.
The principal objection urged against
county uniformity at that time was
that it would hinder state uniformity.
The friends of county uniformity be-
lieve that an experience of one term
with it would so completely demon
strate its advantages over the present
system, or, more correctly speaking,
lack of system, that as state uniform
ity is SO far ahead Of county uniformity
as county uniformity is ahead of the
present arrangement, that no furtber
argument or experience would be re-
quired to induce our people to change
to the much. to- be desired state uni
formity.
We need a more select and uniform
standard of text books. Select, because
in many of our public schools many Of
the texts used are entirely out Of date
and comparatively worthless. Many
readers are without system in arrange
ment; the lessons are not properly
graded; there are too many new and
difficult words introduced in one les
son; they do not seek to iuculcate
either principle, morals nor manners
Many Of the histories in use are written
in an uninteresting manner and lack
clearness and concisment in statement.
The same statement will apply to many
texts on geography, physiology and
constitution.
Uniform, because it would enable
our county to adopt a better and our
teachers to more closely follow def
mite course Of study. This would re-
suit III better ard more successful
classification of the school. Few per-
sons other than teachers realize the
great amount Of time and energy
almost wasted in an unclassifed school
or where different texts are use in the
class. No two texts can be found that
take up and discuss d subject in th e
same order or with the same degree 9af
lucidity and thorouehness, thereby
causing confusion and doubt in the
mind of the pupil. In class divided
as to the use of texts the teacher is
compelled to divide, and therefore
lessen, the value of his efforts.
It would effect a great saving of time
and money. In time, because the Rum-
ber Of reeitations would be cut down-
thus enabling the teacher to make the
recitation longer and more thorough.
In every school are to be found dull
and backward pupils, and 9th ars who
start late. These pupils need inGi-
vidual attention. They cannot catch
up and keep up with the class without
it,
How is the teacher to find time &c
give to these pupils the encouragement
and assistance they need if the present
number OF daily recitations is to be
maintained?
In money, because heoks would be
cheaper by 10 TO % per cent. The
texts now in use would be taken il
payment.
The company contracting to furnish
books could not increase the price &c
the retailer or change the quality OF
the paper or the binding, but would
expect to renew the contract and there
fore would give the best books for the
money. The contract with the pub
Usher guarantees that the retail price
shall not be increased.
The retailer would knew exactly
what books to handle and could rent
OF trade them, knowing that they would
be called for In time.
Under the present system no matter
how jealous, industrious or competent
the teacher, or how watchful of the in
terest of his charge the best results
cannot be attained.
Adopt county uniformity and you
may confidently look for better organi-