The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1898-08-03

AHefe1h-Supt. PenderGast VIII
Make the Award.
State Superintendent Of Public In
structton Pendergast has lust COM
pleted list of rural schools applvine
for the $50 state aid, and will make
an apport1onment of the funds at the
disposal of the department within the
next week
About 425 rural schools have been
recommended by county superintend
ehts OF the various counties of the state
for this aid, but owing to the fact that
ene last legislature did not make an
appropriation to exceed $1,000 for this
purpose, only 400 can receive this as
Sistance from the state.
MT. Pendergast stated yesterday that
ne would select 400 of the schools noair-
tanning the highest standard during the
year, and submit the names Of the re-
naming twenty-five which might come
~ ~ the state requirements to the
next legislature, with the recommended
ZION that an additional appropriation
De maze to enable the state depart
ment to treat all rural schools alike.
Inns recommendation will be in line
with other suggestions which will be
mace by the state superintendent in
regard to the matter of state ammo
able of shortage in the several
amounts set aside by the legislature
th1s year. and it is to meet the grow
Ing demands Of the public schools of
the state that these additions will be
recommended.
Mr.. Pendergast said yesterday that
Wnen the school year opened next
school districts organized in the ont.
lying sections Of the state.
MT. Pendergast says the increase in
the new school districts which are now
being organized as a branch of the
present school organizations, shown bv
the reports of the county superintend-
ents' IS larger than in several years
past. AS the state grows older, more
attention is paid from year to year to
educational matters. and at present
there are 800 or more rural schools
Wnlch mold eight months school. and
the law only requires a five months
session of rural schools. In but few
instances has there been a backward
tendency on the part of the rural
school organizations, and this year
large number will come in under the
graded school law and receive bene-
nts from the state as such.
In circular. recently issued by the
state department and mailed to the
county superintendent. the state de-
partment called attention to the short
age in the state appropriation and re-
quested that care be used bv the 1ocsI
superintendent in making recommends
tlons as limited number only could
De accommodated. Despite this fact
the number applying was more than
could be assisted under the law.
MT. fendergast reports that there has
oeen a tendency in many Of the graded
school districts to hold two schools, and
sy,It
next year would see a greatly Increased
number OF graded schools organized
from the rural schools
In speaking Of the results obtained
from the present system of assisting
struggling rural schools. Mr.. Pender-
CAST said that the plan was working
admirably, and was a wonderful stimu-
ius TO the country schools to raise their
school to the standard required by the
state before this aid could be granted
A spirited rivalry existed in MANY
cases In the country between the local
school districts, and the law had been
very satisfactory in working out i'm
provements in the country schools The
fact that school received this aid
gave 1t considerable prestige among
the other schools Of the county and the
other schools all sought to attain the
same standard. e
Inc sanitary conditions of the schools
have been greatly improved since the
last report Of the state superintendent
and substantial number Of new rural
school buildings have been erected dur
ing that time
Supt. Pendergast returned yesterday
from trip around the state, attend
ing the summer schools. He reports
that the schools have without excep-
ton been uniformly successful, and
with the exception of slight
decrease In attendance they have
been more successful than in
previous years. The interest manifest
has been remarkable, in view Of the
fact that many of the teachers gave up
portion Of their vacations to attend
these schools.
Mr.. Pendergast visited the st. Cloud
Union Summer school, participated in
by six counties, and he reports that
branch Of the work In an equally flour
ishing condition.
The summer schools and institutes
will continue this month and close early
in September.