Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1903-01-15
Burial. school Consolidation.

The new movement agitated. by Educators
the consolidation of rural schools-in many
of it's features. assemblies Rural Free Delivery
of mail. The proposition, Is, in few words,
to have one OF more very large graded
schools in each election district, equipped
with superior teachers. and all modern ap-
pliances for disseminating education, and to
convey TO these schools. in wagons, all pu'
pills in the district, and return them home at
the close of the school day.
1t is claimed that not only will the system
result In greatly superior grade OF teach
ing, but that pupils will be kept from ex'
posure to the elements, avoid long walk
and wet feet, and there will not then he such
things as tardiness and playing hockey.
That all portions of IA district will have the
benefit of the best teachers, and That larger
classes and competition stimulate interest.
This method has been adopted in number
of states and authorized in others. Kansas
seems to be the only one in which i, has re
ceived anything like an extended test. and
the reports.from 1t seem very favorable; ex
per.menta districts IN Iowa, Ohio and sew
eral New England states, seem to demon.
strate the practicablity of the plan, with but
little additional cost. per pupil, to the state
and county.
The objections to the plan, BY patrons,
seem to be in the fear that distance from
central school may deprcciAle farm lands;
that it will probably result in closing the
"litlle red school house. for use by Sunday
schools; that probably four or five miles Is
too far for quite small children to be away
from home, and that suitable drivers for the
wagons may not always be secured. Teach
ers, as rule. oppose the project tor the same
reason that Fourth class postmastcrs oppose
Rural Deivery-thcr occupation will be
gone.
From the financial point Of view, the ques-
ton is very difficult to discuss in'elieently.
One thing IL sure, that, in the beginning the
expense for new Inrge buildings would be
considerable, as well as the cost of suitable
wagons, etc. 1t is said that $500 a year is
the price usually paid for tie running Of
wagon, the driver furnishing the horses and
feed and making two trips per day. On the
whole, the system Is scarcely well enough
developed to champions; BESIDES Maryland
is not likely to lead in its Adoption, even If
II Is vast improvement, rs public school
matters in this state are not noted for their
high standard
1t IS urged, also, in support Of rural con
solidaton of schools, that. like Rural Mail
delivery, it would equalize the country SER
vice with that OF the Cities that city schools
would not be, then. as now, fur superior to
the county school, and that 1t Is practical
adoption of Il High School system for every.
body, without favorieism Carroll Record
| THE above editorial taken bodily from the
Carroll Rec rd covers 80 thoroughly the sew
eral salient points of this latter day school
movement that we have not only deemed il
we'll worthy Of reproduction in cur columns
but we desire 10 say in addition that were
ever, editor as able and as willing to discuss
matters of public interest, the country news
paper would be AL in fact that 1t is in theory
That saving the "organ' political griodIngs
scarce one in five OF our country exchanges
ever have al intelligently written discussion
of current home events, but content them
selves with kitchen drawer hodge podg'
of local gossip, IS sincerely to be regretted
especially when we have before US, in tn
Carroll Record, evidence of what real loca
leader and Trainer of public sentiment coun
try newspaper may be in competent and en-
tcrprising hands.-ED. CLARION