The Owosso times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1897-1926, 1898-03-25
The Text Book Question.

From the School Moderator
Several smaller Michigan cities and
villages are discussing the question of text
books. II no action is taken at their school
meeting they come under the provisions of
the new uniformity law, and must change
their books whether they wish 1t or not If
they wish to remain as they are now, a vote
to that effect is necessary, or IL they want
free text books, a vote is necessary.
Certainly a district will be extremely fool.
ish that permits itself to come under the
provisions of the uniformity law, and be
compelled to change its books before it shall
know what the new books are to be, when
by vote 1t can keep out of the net, until
after the books are adopted and tested, then
il desired 1t may adopt the uniform plan.
1t may thus make intelligent choice. not
take jump In the dark.
A complete change Of text books Is an
exceedingly expensive experiment, and
should not be foisted upon a district un-
thinkingly.
or all the plans suggested, the cheapest
is the free text book plan. To support this
let us give few figures as to the relative
cost of books under the various plans, in
the city of Benton Harbor.
This summary of books include five read
ers, one large written arithmetic. one mental
arithmetic, two books in physiology, two
books In grammar, two books in geography,
drawing books, two music books. copy
books, spoilers, United States history, civil
government of Michigan.
If school books are purchased new in
every grade while pupil is passing
through the eight grades of the public
schools, the text books alone, aside from
pens, pencils and tablets will cost at retail
$27.94 per pupil.
Readers, spoilers, arithmetics, geogra-
phies, physologies and grammars are used
during two or three years or grades by the
same pupil. Buying the books once while
a pupil is passing through the eight grades,
the books alone aside from pens, pencils and
tablets will cost at retail $1779 per pupil.
Quoting prices from the prices as fixed
under the uniformity text book law, saying
nothing about the quality, il pupil pur-
chases books new in every grade while pass
ing through the eight grades of the public
schools. the text books alone aside from
pens, pencils and tablets will cost at retail
$20.24 per pupil. If bought by the board
of education under the free text book sys-
tenn, saving the 20 per cent to the RETAILER,
and IL bought new In every grade, 1t will
cost s1e.ss per pupil.
Buying the books once while the pupil Is
passing through the eight grades, the books
alone aside from pens, pencils aud tablets
will cost the board of education under the
free text book system $S.55 per pupil.
These figures are given on the supposition
that the pupil keeps the books after pur.
chasing as his own. Under the free text
book system the board of education is the
custodian of the books after a pupil has
finished a book. With proper care, very
many of these books can be used by other
pupils. 1t is asserted by three cities and
districts using free text books that the
, books cost the pupil from one third to Al
per cent of what they now cost the pupi
at retail. Coupling the free text book sys
tenn with uniformity as far as may be bes
, it is safe to say that books can be purchased
, book system than under any other.