Pullman herald. [volume] (Pullman, W.T. [Wash.]) 1888-1989, 1907-06-22

Is the little red schoolhouse doomed?
VIII the district school, in which so
many of our leading men received their
early education, cease to exist in I'LL
nois? Yes, if the plans of Dean Dav-
export, Superintendent BaylisS and
other leading educators of the State
are carried out as expected. These
men declare that the district school
with one teacher. poorly paid and fire.
quently Inefficient often with less than
five pupils, cannot meet the educational
requirements Of to-day. They say that
the farmers child has the same right
to an education as the city boy or girl
What is more 10 the point, they de
clare II Is possible, at no increase of
expense, or at the most OF a very
slight increase, to give to every rural
community as good educational advant-
ages as possessed by any city in the
State.
The remedy proposed is simple, yet
decidedly efficient, as demonstrated in
other States. 1t lies in consolidating
several weak districts in one strong,
vigorous school, hiring competent teach
ers at living wages, and transporting
the children to and from the centrally
located school In wagons very sim
pie procedure, certainly, but one which,
declare the friends of the system, Will
revolutionize the educational affairs Of
the State
~A u
The need OF remedy for existing
conditions has long been known to ed
ucators Years ago 1t was realized by
those who studied conditions that the
district school had failed to live I'D to
Its standard Of years ago, but a rem
edy was slow to develop Consolida
ton, as practiced in twenty States of
the Union, is believed by all who have
knowledge Of the facts to be the one
solution OF the problem
The district school has been on the
wane since 1870. Despite the enormous
growth in population In the past thirty
six years the district school has shown
constant decrease In Attendance
Schools which formerly had several
scoEe enrolled, of ages ranging from e
to 25 years, can now barely muster n
scant half dozen none OF them over 70
years Of age.
Dean Eugene Davenport OF the M
nols College OF Agriculture. who has
studied the situation carefully. gives
the following facts concerning tho
schools Of the State, as proving con-
clusively that the district school is on.
tirely inadequate to the needs OF the
country child:
In 1880 the enrolment Of the nm
graded or common country school uos
43T 300; in 1890, 37S, 1G0; in 1900 RAG
037; In 1904. 31S,21S, a decrease :,
twenty four years OF 119OO2. In tho
same time the attendance OF the grad.
Ell school advanced from 266.S21 n
$50, 1886. The number of country schools
in 1880 was 1888 and In 1904 10 e7z
while the number OF teachers decreased
from 17.847 to 1220T. The decrease IN
the number OF schools is but 90. while
the decrease In teachers is $3.50. This
Is accounted for, says Dean Davenport
In the fact that In 1880 IL was custom
ar for the summer session Of the ruraI
fchool 10 be presided over by a young
inexperienced teacher, usually a girl
and the winter session was taught by
an older and more seasoned pedagogue
Now the entire session is taught by
Pne teacher, and unfortunately It Is tn,
more able one who has disappeared II
some other occupation.
In the same period the number o
graded school teachers has advance
naW 4.o0s 70 l6I7A and the hig