The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1902-03-20
The Consolidation of Schools.

Though they would he unwilling to
admit 1t, many rural taxpayers would
more readily adopt plan to lessen the
expense of schools than one to improve
them. But when the same plan i'm
proves the schools, lowers the taX-rate.
and raises the value of real estate, the
taxpayer ought to support it. In d
large number OF cases. outlying farms
that had been left because parents
wanted better school advantages have
been re-occupied- at an increased valu-
tiOn--since the consolidation of schools
has been accomplished. Land has sold
more rapidly and at higher prices. Par
ents who intended to leave the country
for the city have often been retained
because the city's best blessing was
brought within their reach.
The district school system makes
possible, and often insures, the poorest
teaching in the market. 1t is not an
unheau of plan to elect "a committee
pledged to favor one neighbours daugh-
ter as teacher for one term, another for
the second, and some other spinster for
the third. While teaching in north
western New England, | found it very
difficult to keep the girls in school after
they could squeeze through weak eX-
animation qualifying them as country
teachers. Cheap teachers were the
curse Of the rural schools of that sec
ton. But consolidation stops this. 1t
puts the country on a level with the
city The farmers child receives as
good teaching as the aiderman's, 1t
places i'll charge of the youth well-train-
ed teachers of broad culture. 1t per-
mlts better grading and allows indivi,
/ u, H.,
dual pupils WIDER range, so that they
can work to better advantage. t makes
possible tho) ough work in special lines
nature study, writing, music, drawing.
1t adds the stimulus Of competition ard
the enthusiasm of numbers. The at
tendance is better, and the boys stay IN
school longer. 1t lengthens the school
year 80 per cent. or more, and leads to
the provision of better buildings and
material equipment. 1t affords the
broad cOmpanionship that comes from
ASSOCIATION. 1t has reflex influence on
the inhabitants of the town, and quick
ems public interest in the schools.
Pride in the quality of the work done
secures greater sympathy and better
fellowship throughout the town. Indi-
rectly it promotes the growth of retin-
ing agencies, such as libraries, literary
clubs, and musical organizations.
eff the children are to be kept upon the
farm, township high schools should be
provided where practicable Probably
in most cases high-school grades could
be maintained, sooner or later, at little
or no additional expense This has
often been done, notably in New York,
Iowa, and other Western States. Ac-
cording to the Pennsylvania law, ap-
proved April 25, 1901, the school board
of town that has voted to adopt cen
tralization is required to maintain and
support graded course Of instruction,
and may include a high-school course of
not less than two years. In the sixty
second annual report of the Massa-
chusetts Board of Education, we read
that sit has long been the policy of the
State TO secure every child within its
borders the opportunity OF a high
school education." AS towns below a
certain size are not required to main
tain high schools, by a law of 1891
changed in 1894, every town not main
tanning such a school must provide for
each suitably prepared pupil education
in the nearest available high school,
Clarence f. Blake in the March Fo-
rum.