Mexico weekly ledger., 1900-12-13
VISITED SCHOOLS.
State superintendent of Public schools
W. 7. Darlington Writes Of Con-
ditions in Monroe and Au-
drain Counties.

To the Editor Of the Ledger.
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo-, Dec. ll.-Dr.
]. @. Written, OF the State Agricul-
tural College, and l spent Nov. 2l-2S
visiting and Inspecting schools and
addressing audiences at night at Santa
Fe, Perry and Laddonia. We saw
seven schools in Audrain, six In Mon
roe and four in Rails. Considering
the condition Of the house, the school
room arrangements, the attitude Of
pupils to the school, the manifested
interest in the school on part of pa
irons and the devotion of the teacher
to the work; there was one school that
should be classed as excellent; others
may be called good, and some fair.
There is not a modern school house in
the number; a majority are fairly COM
Portable only; few are inviting and
conducive to pride in the school. The
cleanliness Of the floor, the comfort
ableness Of the seating and the char
acter Of the work were usually in keep
ing with each other.
The following facts were noted;
Largest enrolment, 46; smallest. 10;
average, q; largest number present,
Sc; smallest 13; average q; two schools
in Monroe county had perfect attend
ance. Two schools have excellent read
ing, in the sense that reading is think
hight ismost sadly neglected; generally
pupils are too far advanced in books,
and as a result are stumbling and
~hesitating in their work. In three
schools pupils do very fine work in
arithmetic, problems are easily and
readily solved, the solutions are
neat and correct in form and explana-
tions are logical and given in a a
ner to indicate confidence in them
selves and their work. Easier prob
lens, similar in nature, are not o N
considered soconfidentlynor so readily.
One recitation in history indicates
thorough drill in review; in Others
there is lack of anything of the kind.
Six schools have pictures on the
walls; two have enough to add much
to the appearance of the room and to.
furnish a proper stimulation toa love
for the artistic; five schools have some
supplementary reading; seven are
studying things in nature and learn
ing to see and handle practical ques-
lions; two have taken pains TO deco
rate the walls with natural objects;
two teachers have taught four or more
termsi in the same schOol;ten are teach
their first term in the district: only
two are teaching their first schools.
Judging by those visited one would
conclude that there is for i'm
prOvement even in the best schools;
teachers generally have dignified bear
ing and smooth, cultivated voices;
except in two instances the children
are faithfully doing the work assigned
and respectful in demeanor; higher
branches are taught in eight schools,
which should be encouraged when pu-
pills are prepared for it.
My observations seem to warrant my
emphasizing the necessity Of improve
ment along the following lines:
First. Closer grading and better
classification, each school preparing
pupils for entrance to schools Of a
higher grade.
Second. More getting away from
the formal textbook and an interest
aroused along llnos OF pOraanal work
IN nature and in good literature.
Third. More money put into sup
Elementary books and less into charts
and maps.
Fourth. More attention given to
school room decoration and hygenic
conditions.
Fifth. Steps taken TO provide for
rural boys and girls that stimulation
that comes from the opportunity to
attend a good high school.
Sixth. A better understanding of
the course of study and a higher APP
probation Of the necessity for correl-
ating the subjects and articulating
the schools.
Seventh. Expert county supervis-
ion could do much in harmonizing,
unifying and s~ystemizing the work
and be worth many times what it
would cost.
l feel a deep interest in all the
schools of Missouri, and would en-
courage, rather than criticise, yet 1
feel that patrons generally are not
fully awake to the necessity Of a good
school, nor do teachers study their
business enough.
Most respectfully,
W ~. D.npVNzupN