The Elbert County tribune., 1904-04-21
Our Schools and School Books


ton is to take place in the near future
and at that time few questions Of i'm
portance are to be voted on by the peo
pie, few words in regard to these ques-
tions will probably not be out OF place at
tbs time
believe / voice the sentiment of all
the good citizens OF the county when
say that there is no subject that de
serves a more careful consideration than
that Of the education OF our boys and
girls. Year after year the world is be-
coming more and more exacting in its
demands for higher grade of intclli-
gence and skill in all lines Of industry.
Competition is becoming sharper and
sharper, and the youth Of today whose
training does not fit him to take his
stand on an equal footing with his fellow
man is seriously Handicapped. We all
want good schools. The times demand
good schools and the best are none too
good. But how much are we willing to
sacrifice to get themY This is the ques-
ton the voters will be called uIon to an
sver on the coming election day.
Two important questions to come be
fare the people at that time are, "Shall
sttsdopt now nrd approved series OF
text books?" and, "Shall the districts
furnish free text books to the pupils?"
In considering the question OF making
a change there are two things TO TAX,
into consideration, namely: the necessit,
and also the expense involved in making
such change. As to the necessity of a
change great deal might be said, but
owing to lack OF space allotted me for
the discussion Of this question shall
simply call attention to a few facts con
cerning the books used. In the first
place the books in use at present are al
most without exception books that were
used fifteen to thirty years ago and have
been long since discarded in the best
schools throughout the country. They
we're all considered good in their time,
but times have changed and methods of
teaching have chonged. We have in
Colorado what is known as State
Course of Study, prepared by commit
tee Of seven Of the leading educators Of
the state under the supervision OF the
state superintendent, "For the Common
lent pamphlet and every teacher is sup
piled with it and is supposed to follow it
as guide in her work. Among the ex-
cellent things contained in the pamphlet
is a list OF approved text books on each
subject to be taught. Although there is
usually at least half dozen texts rec
commended we will find from careful
examination Of the lists that only two
out of all the books recommended are to
be found in our schools and these are
each placed near the bottom of the lists
Of those recommended.
A few weeks ago / wrote letter to
Mrs. Grenfell, our state superintendent,
telling her as near as | could the school
conditions in our county, especially as to
the size of schools, and asked her to rec
ommend series af books that she con
sidered would be suited to our needs.
Strange to say, not one OF the many rec
commended is 20 be found in the schools
throughout the county. Ask the teach
ers of the county their opinion. i defy
any one to find wide awake, up to date
teacher in this county who is satisfied
with the books they are compelled to use.
Some may say that this textbook agi-
tation is all whim gotten up by the
teachers who are never satisfied with
what they have, but are always wanting
something different. What would we
think of farmer who would hire man
to cultivate his potatoes, giving him
hoe and expecting him to do as much
work as his neighbor in the next field
with two-horse cultiyator. If i were
the hired man think I'd kick, and be-
lieve you would. i, as a teacher, feel
justified in kicking about the tools we
have to work with in our public schools
and would be glad to see "kicker's"
union organized by the teachers Of the
county for the benefit Of the schools
or course the expense involved in MAX
ing the change is an item to take into
consideration, but really it is not such
serious think as most people suppose.
Once adopted the new books will cost no
more than the old, and il the districts
will stand together an exchange Of all
the old books in the county for new ones
can be made by paying difference of
about one half of the cost OF a new book,
and the incidental expenses connected
with the exchange will be borne by com
panies whose books are adopted. The
American Book Co. also agrees to take
all books held by book dealers and re-
place them with the new books so that
dealers need lose nothing.
In closing ! would add JUST a word