The Republican journal., 1905-11-16
ADVANCE OF THE COUNTRY SCHOOL

| The ungraded country school exists
today in some regions in as primitive
condition as it began half century
ago. The rural populations are awak-
ening to the fact, however, and are be-
ginning to realize the situation. The
cry throughout the country where dis.
i trict schools are still in existence is,
give us good graded schools, if fewer of
them-in other words, consolidate the
district schools and make them graded
schools. Our city schools have been on
the line march toward progress in every
conceivable direction. 1t would seem
that nothing has been omitted. Every
subject, every need, has been brought
to the surface, discussed and disposed
of, and yet there is constant pushing
on toward higher ideals and better
methods. Everything is furnished for
active Work-pianos, libraries, gymna-
Sums, lunch rooms and kindergarten
supplies. What a radical change one
finds in comparing the equipment with
that of the one room district school.
In the New England States, where
! the tendency OF the rural population
had been for years to make new homes
in the West, many district schools in
different regions which were still on
the tax list and a public expense were
almost, if not quite, abandoned. This
resulted as long ago as 1870 in recon-
struction of the old district schoO. sys-
TEN. In Massachusetts some of these
schools were closed and the few chill
dren left in the locality were transport
ed to neighboring schools. 1t was found
that the cost of transporting of the pu-
pills was less than that of keeping up
the poorly attended, poorly supplied
school in the district and the consoli-
dation of the two or more schools gave
better results in every way. Since then
the other New England States have
! followed in the same path, consolda-
ting two, three and even more schools
and transporting the pupils from the
different districts in wagons furnished
at public expense. This change, which
was made as a more convenient eco
nomical disposition of funds and labor,
has resulted in the growth of graded
schools. 1t was found that by grouping
schools together better salaries could
be paid to teachers and the grade work
extended. In many States to-day in the
North, South and West the consolida.
ton of district schools into fine graded
schools with corps of efficient, well
paid teachers is proving grand sue
!, cess.
In most cases the laws are framed to
cover the old-faShiOned, One-rOom dis
trict school, but in the last few years
strong, forceful and progressive educa-
tional ideas have been forcing them
selves on the different State legislative
bodies, and now this persistent effort
of the educators of the country is be-
ginning to be felt, and it is realized by
all thinking people that the education
of the youth is of vital import and that
each State has its own responsibility in
the matter. Laws should be made pro-
viding for graded schools, which shall
cover the State and give the rural popu-
lation the advantage of high grade
work in both grammar and high
schools.
| 1t is not always convenient or even
possible for the farmer to send his chill
dren to the cities to receive an educa-
do so if good graded schools can be es-
tablished nearer home. Provision
should be made for the transportation
Of pupils from all districts covered by
the school in wagons which run on
schedule time and have regular routes.
These wagons should be run on con-
tract, which is governed by the school
board. This system of consolidating
district schools into graded school is
proving a great success in Ohio and
Indiana, and also some of the Western
States-Kansas and Nebraska. In the
ungraded country school, where the
teacher has all grades from the A B G
class up to the algebra pupils, there is
not enough time in day for the many
different Rotations, and there are so
few pupils in a class that competition
lags and the whole work drops into a
dull routine. The teacher loses his or
her enthusiasm in the work and is
worn out physically and mentally. For
all this strain the instructor receives
but little compensation. The weary
travel through wind and weather that
is necessarily imposed upon the pupils
living at distance from the school
leaves them dull and untitled for the
days work. Many teachers also endure
this same hardship.
In a graded school with larger at
tendance there is more life in the class
work, more competition. More teach
ers are supplied and better work is
done. The teachers salary is increas-
ed as the work grows. If the wagon
transportation is good, the health of
the children will be better guarded and
they will begin work in the morning
with store of vital energy.-Brooklyn
Eagle
For catarrh, inhale Browns Instant Re
lief well diluted with water, repeating
often.
Nickerson, Spratt & Greeley Buy Wharf
at Bar Harbor