Clarke courier. [volume] (Berryville, Va.) 1869-1997, 1905-03-01
For Better Schools.

Oo u cali from the Governor and
the Superintendent of Public In
structlon, a number Of citizens
representing the geographical d.
visions, as well as the leading
schools and colleges of the State.
met IN the capitol at Richmond, to
confer about plans for bringing
the combined wisdom and strength
OF our people TO the support of our
school authorities, State and local.
IN their efforts to promote the eff
cheney of the public school system
of Virginia. The chief interest Of
the Conference centered upon the
elementary country school, the
mosttremendously significant thing
that in any way touches the real
interests of the Commonwealth.
Nearly nine-tenths of our people
live in the country. Virginia has
1000 children in the school age.
The future of the State depends
upon the training these children
are to get for good citizenship and
economic efficiency; and this train
ing depends upon the quality of
the work done in the little. rural
school.
In the progress of civilization
we have reached a stage where
there is no place for the ignorant.
unframed, man. The world has
no use for him. He must either
move up to the plane Of an intelli-
gent worker, or he must drop out
and become an idler. and SO an
incubus upon society and menace
to its peace and security.
After two days spent in earnest
discussion, the Richmond Confer
ence organized what is known as
the Cooperative Education Com
mission of Virginia.
Among the purposes of the COM
mission are these:
l. \ nine-months' school for
every child.
,. Well-trained teachers for ali
public schools.
,. Efficient supervision of
schools.
+. The introduction of agricul-
tural and industrial courses into
the schools.
3. The promotion of school
libraries, and the correlation of
public libraries to the schools.
6. The organization of citizens
education associations in every
county and city of the State. with
view to the reinforcement Of
county superintendent and teach
ers; TO the consolidation of schools:
to the increase of local taxation:
and to the improvement of school
houses and grounds.
Under the auspices of the com
mission these educational meetings
were held in the State last year; in
July, one at the University of Nir-
ginia, and one at Emory and Henry
College; and in December. one i'm
the city of Norfolk. These meet
ings were largely attended; and
their outcome of educational intel
ligence and stimulation was i'm the
largest measure gratifying. At
the Norfolk meeting it was deter
mined instead of holding the regu-
lar spring Conference in some city ,
To conduct during the month of
May, n great educational campaign,
to reach every section of the State:
and arrangements are now we'll on
the way for, at least, one all-day
meeting in every county. \ large
number of the ablest speakers in
the State. and few from outside,
will take part in these meetings.
No more significant movement,
and none of richer promise, has
engaged the thought of this gene
ration. 1t is worthy of the pro
foundest concern and of the ready
sacrifice of personal interests on
the part of every patriotic Nir,
gilman, and we invoke the hearty
cooperation of all who love then
State, in promoting the success O
the undertaking.