Highland recorder. (Monterey, Highland County, Va.) 1877-1972, 1904-06-24
An Appeal to the People OF VIr'
ginia by the Cooperative I'd
ucation Commission

Tn sponse to a call By the Gov-
error of Virginia and the Superln-
tenden t of Public Instruction. a
number of citizens,representIng the
geographical divisions as we'll as
all the educational interests OF the
State. assembled i'll the Capitol Cd
March 2Sth and Goth.
The purpose of the conference
was to unity educational forces.
with view to utilizing their COM
bined wisdom and strength in re-
enforcing the efforts of the State
and local school authorities IN the
matter of perfecting the pubic
schopl system of Virginia. Those
present desired to sink the differ
ences and to SEEK the Identities
among all educators. Whatever
differences may be supposed to exist
in the interests of certain lnstltu-
tons of learning, it is plain that
the public school is the common
center of all educational agencies.
1t is the reservoir whence all sup
plies are drawn. 1t is the base up
on when the whole pyramid OF
education rests. Upon The eficl-
ency, therefore, of the common
school depends not only the EN-
liehtenment of the citizen but the
culture of the college. In Il word,
the common school is the heart OF
the educational system OF Virginia
IF it is vigorous, all else will be
sound and strong. As nucleat-
ingcenter for all educational forces,
the common school Yields sympa-
thies. reconciles conflicting inter-
ests. and imparts higher efficiency
to all forms of education
According to Lord Macaulay,
Thomas jefferson was the foremost
statesman Of the world in clearness,
the breadth, and the completeness
of his conception of the power and
importance of universal education.
Il look" said Mr. Jefferson, Il
look to the diffusion of Light and
education as the resource most to
be relied on for ameliorating the
condition, promoting the virtue,
and advancing the happiness of
man. Educate and inform
the whole mass Of the people. I
No other sure foundation can
be devised for the preservation OF
freedom and happiness"
Abundant evidence OF the desire
of the people of Virginia to make
the schools more effective was dis
closed at the conference. There is
a growing public pride in the
schools, and healthfal sentiment
favorable to their betterment. This
is not surprising, when the gravity
of the interests involved is consld-
cred. The public school property
in this State is valued at above
four million dollars. The annual
expenditure for support exceeds
two million dollars. Less than
one-fourth of this amount is raised
by county and district school taxes.
Only about half Of the children
of school age are enrolled in the
public schools. Only oGe-third
are in daily attendance in the pub
lie schools. Children in attendance
are in school, on an average. about
five and half months of the year
(51 in and 81 OUT. Allowing, as
we gladly do, for the excellent
work being done by numerous prl-
yate schools, we yet submit that
the above statement is sufficient to
make every citizen of Virginia ac-
tive in the work Of advancing our
public schools.
The cost Of education per month
of school term per pupil enrolled
is 70 cents; the cost of each pupil
in attendance per month is 81 10.
Is it good economy, to say nothing
of weightier matters,f for us to spend
only 6fty.four cents per calendar
month upon the child'S education?
After two days spent in earnest
discussion, the conference organic
ed itself into d permanent body,
known as the Cooperation Conn
mission of Virginia. IL was decid-
ed 20 meet at least twice a year, at
different points in the State. Off
GERS were elected, and the follow
ing program of purposes was UNI
animouSy decided upon:
PROGRAM OF PURPOSES
/. A nine months sch ool for
every Child.
g. A high school within reason
able distance of every child.
3. Well-trained teachers for all
public schools.
4. Efficient supervision Of
schools.
5, The introduction of agricul-
tural and industrial training into.
tho schools.
6. The promotion of libraries
and correlation of public libraries
IL ,,,bl;c cchOOlS
r Schools for the defective and
dependent classes. :,
s rhe organization Of ii citizens
education association IN every coun-
20 .ud city