The Lexington intelligencer. [volume] (Lexington, Mo.) 1901-1949, 1902-12-20

The plan OF centralizing the country
schools aud Of transporting the chill
dren to them seems to have been an
Ohio idea. The experiment was tried
in that state ten years ago, and such
was its success that general adoption
followed. There is, Of course, consid-
cradle expense attached to the haul
ing Of the children to ana from school,
but the improvement in grading, at
tendance, health, and quality Of
teachers together with the decreased
number Of teachers employed is con-
sidered full Offset. After once get
ting the system 10 running order it is
said that thecost Of country education
to the county is not increased while
the efficiency Of the schools is more
than double,
Other states are experimenting with
Consolidated country schools, and re-
Gently the first county high school in
Missouri was dedicated. This is a sub
iect in which country people should
be interested. II it is feasible it must
greatly increase the desireableness of
living in the country An agricultural
journal, giving an account Of recent
experiments 10 Iowa, says:
An idea, 10 connection with country
schools that Is quite new in the West,
is gradually working out this way
from the East. The purpose Of it is TO
improve the schools. The idea is the
centralizing Of the schools; that is,
.Feduelng@th number Of them aud
have them central to as many pupils
as possible. Heretofore. the idea has
been to get the schools as convenient
TO the children as possible, and conse-
quentlY there are large number Of
small schools with inferior teachers
and in general way very inefficient.
The new plan is to transport the chill
dren to theschool 10 vehicles at public
expense, and have fewer schools, large
aud better equipped. The expense Of
getting the children to and from
the schools 10 vehicles is the only in
creased expense, and the plan has
proved so popular that it is gradually
spreading over the country.
To recent article on this subject
by Prof. R G. Barrett, State Superin-
tendent Of Instruction III Iowa, in the
10th Century Farmer there are some
very interesting facts set forth In
many localities in this State this idea,
il carried out, would make a great
improvement in the SC chools. There
are two Illustrations OF the working,
given from schools in Iowa, as follows:
BUFFALO CFNTER.
Total number of pupils in atten-
dance, 347.
Number Of pupils transported, us.
Number Of teams used, 6.
Amount paid for team and driver,
per month, s94
Average distance children are con-
veyed, Al miles.
Number Of teachers employed,9.
Number Of pupils per teacher, ss
Average cost Of tuition per month
for pupils transported, sl.71
Average cots Of tuition per month
whole school, sl.41.
TERRILL.
Total number Of pupils in atten-
dance, l65.
Number Of pupils transported, 1871
Number Of teams used, Z.
Amount paid for team and driver,
per month, ss4.
Average distance children are con-
yeyed, about three miles.
Number Of teachers employed, 4.
Number Of pupils per teacher, 4l
Average cost Of tuition per month
for whole school 81 So.
In the case Of Terrili 1t will be OBJ
served that Of the entire enrolment
more than SO percent are transported,
indicating arural community almost
entirely
Incan be seen from these figures
that the children are getting this inn
proved opportunity for education at a
very low cost. and as the plan Is still
aew there win doubtless be great i'm
profements in the facilities Afforded