Kansas City journal. [volume] (Kansas City, Mo.) 1897-1928, 1897-11-10
RADICAL CHANGES IN KANSAS SYs-
TEN PROPOSED.
FEWER AND BETTER SCHOOLS.
MORE EQuITABI.E DISTRIBUTION OF
TAXATION Urged.
Better Pay for Tcnchers. With House
and Garden Furnished, Among
the Other Recommendations
Mnde by superintend-
ent Sryker.

Topeka Kas., Nov. a.-(Speeial) State
Superintendent Stryker prepared "A circu-
lar to-day containing much valuable IN
formation concerning the country schools
of Kansas. He says that there are as dis
trict schools, where the average daily at
tendance is less than i've pupils: l,2aS
schools which have an attendance OF be-
tween six and ten pupils; l,5S3 which have
an attendance of between eleven ana iif-
teen; LII which have an attendance of
between sixteen and twenty, and S.57
have an average of over twenty. Less than
two-fifths of the schools are in the last
list. which also includes all schools in the
state employing more than one teacher
Continuing. the state superintendent says:
a small school. poorly paid teacher and
a term of three or four months are not
conditions calculated TO produce the best
results educationally. The average wages
paid to district school teachers Is between
$50 and s35. This amount is not SO large
as has generally been supposed was in
vested in education in rural schools. One
reason why better provision has not been
made is that there are too many small
schools, and that the burden of taxation
falls with unequal and crushing weight
upon the weaker districts under our un-
Just system of school taxation. These
conditions not peculiar to Western
Kansas, nor 10 tnlS Stdte, LOT hdiSdS
stands first educationally in every respect.
although Western Kansas has not made
so good a showing as Eastern Kansas.
They are conditions common to the rural
schools in every state in the Union. and
they are growing worse instead of better
The rural school population in the United
States Is on the decrease. 1t Is condi-
tion and not theory that confronts u.s.
and 1 wish TO suggest a remedy.
IF my remedy is not feasible and prac-
tical, ask for suggestions and criticisms;
If II is. / ask for the hearty support of all
friends of education in the concentration
Of effort upon the few specific things below
mentioned. Legislation will always follow
an aroused public sentiment upon any sub
ject.
'First-The number of districts and the
number of schools should be reduced and
provision made for the transportation of
those too far from school, This will pre-
vent a great waste OF money now paid for
buildings and teachers and incidental ex-
penses for keeping up SO many small
schools.
''Second-A state levy for school purposes
which will distribute the burden of tax
alton more equitably, and which should
be sufficient to pay at least one-third the
expense of an eight months school in
every district with an average attendance
of twenty more. Each school should
have that many pupils and no term should
be less than eight months.
''Third-A higher standard of oualifica-
tions for teachers. The age limit should
be raised, as should the educational and
professional requirements. One reason
why so little progress has been made
toward improving the conditions of our
rural schools is that friends of education
have not united in demanding certain few
things.
''Fourth-Yearly employment, with house
and garden furnished, and pay sufficient to
warrant undertaking the responsibilities of
home and family and the making of teach
ing a life business"