Connecticut western news., 1903-06-25
THE NEW SCHOOL IDEA.
How the Centralized School Works
 In One Rural District.


 In One Rural District.
 The Western Reserve of Oaio has made a radical innovation in the way Of schools, and in response to general interest in the subject Mir. John Gould gives an account of the centralized school Ill his own district as follows In the National Stockman: Aurora really centralized her schools six years ago. It was first tried as an experiment, two small halls being rented in addi- ton to the central school house, and the parents were paid for bringing their own children. The plan proved so satisfactory after two years or more that the question of a suitable school house was put to vote and an appro- priation of about $2,500 made to en- large and furnish the high school house and without a vote cast to return to the old system. Under the old system we had a high school. but its general effect was to weaken the district schools, and the attendance was so variable that its efficiency was greatly impaired.
 The Effect on Attendance.
 Under the new plan the centralized school became part of the high school, and its grade was raised so that Its graduates would be accepted into the freshman year of any of the neighbor- ing colleges. An approved course of study was adopted, and the school started out with high hopes. The wag- onette system of transportation was adopted, every pupil was taken from his home, no waiting on the four cor ners for the kid wagon" and as promptly returned at night These GOV cred wagons were made storm proof and comfortable in every way. Under the old plan of district schools the av- craze attendance of the school enroll ment for a series of years varied from 65 to 70 per cent. One-third of the pu- pills were absent all of the time, and they all disappeared from the school at about fifteen years of age, few enroll Ing at sixteen. The cost of maintaining these nine schools and the high school was in round numbers 4,200 annually and an annual deficit. The schools were as rule taught by first and sec ond termers. A person who did develop ability as teacher was quickly hired in the large village and city schools. Under our new plan of transportation the average attendance of the pupils has been over 90 per cent, and we now have one month more school than be fore.
 Profit and Loss.
 The drivers of the wagons are under bonds to be at the schoolhouse ten min utes before 9 a. m. and keep order ill the wagons and be ready to load at 3:30 p. m., and this punctuality is rare ly broken. Four experienced teachers and tutor are now doing the work of the once eleven, and by the grades and course there are actually fewer recita- tions than in a district school of twen- ty-ive pupils, so that time can now be given to class work and efficiency se- cured. Better wages are paid, and with these teaching Is not makeshift. Under this system and without chang ing the school tax levy figures for our town showed March IS, 1903, that in the six years a debt of $60o inherited from the old board had been paid, the new schoolhouse and fixtures of $2,500 had been paid for, all claims met, and there is q balance to the credit of the centralized school fund of 5000. Not only is the school better, but it makes cosmopolitan the entire population of the township, begets ambitions and makes for intelligence and mental ac tivity rather than for class or family distinction