The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1903-11-17
BIGGEST SCHOOL
QUESTION UP
Prof. Scott of A. & M. College
Discusses Education.
COMBINE THE DISTRICTS
Consolidation Would Result
in Better Teaching.
COMBINE THE DISTRICTS

Guthrie, O. T, Nov. 1.-THE biggest
uestion in education in Oklahoma is the
formation of our common school sys-
en-" said Prof. Scott. of the = and NJ.
ollege of Saltwater.
This may seem a rather rash asser-
on, since this system is the very apple
f our eye, bat the truth might as well
e faced that while our rural schools are
;oubtless as good as those of our neig-
satisfactory, either in extent or quality.
i am in a position to know whereof /
speak. since l have bgeen observing for
five years the equipment of pupils from
the rural schools who seek higher edu-
cational advantages. Almost invariably
they are lamentably weak in the basic
subjects Of English and mathematics. The
fact is that the pecuniary reward IS TOO
pitifully meager to command the ser
vices of efficient men and women as
teachers. / believe that the evils or the
district school system, as now administer
ed, are fairly ineradicable. We nave
grown so accustomed to low salaries ana
cheap teachers that / fsal We shall con-
tinue to tolerate them indefinitely, II we
continue to tolerate the system.
THE way out seems TO me to lie in
the consolidation, throughout the terri
tory of a reasonable number of adjoin-
ing districts into one big, strong district,
supporting one big, strong school. wei
housed, well officered, well graded, well
attended, we'll taught. The plan has
been tried with notable success in Kan
sas, in Ohio, in Michigan. in Wisconsin
and in other states Of the union. and
with most signal success in the Dominion
Of Canada. In not a single place wnere
it has been tried, so far as have
learned, would they be willing to go back
to the old system. In nearly all cases
the expenses have been found to be
lighter In all cases they have secured
better houses with far better sanitary
conditions. a larger and more regular
attendance. better teachers, and graded
schools approaching in many instances
the high school standard. The effect. too,
has been noticeable upon the health of the
pupils Is it not perfectly apparent that
it is far safer for the boy and girl to
be conveyed four miles in a comfortable
heated van than TO walk one mile through
snow and slush?
The schooling for the boy and girl in
the country should be as good as that for
the boy and girl in the town. Why
not? With due respect to the Logan
county high school, the county high
school VIII not solve the problem. That
means simply a high school for some
particular town, furnished by the people
of the county. and no appreciable proper
ton OF The boys and girls from the coun-
try ever get near it. for the reason that
they have to live away from home and
pay their expenses. The high school, or
Il measurable approach TO il, should be
brought 10 the country and the cOnsoG-
dated district plan is the key TO the sit
uation. 1t is a radical change, to be
sure, and the reform will have TO work
its way slowly, but l know of neighbor
hoods in Oklahoma which are ripe FOR
the change right now-and l need not
say they are the most progressive neigh
borhoOos in the territory