Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1907-02-22
THE RURAL SCHOOLS.
A Paper Read Before the Farmers In-
stitute, by Mrs. Paul Bigalk.

Mr.. Chairman, Ladies and Gentle
men: The term rural, when applied to
schools means those outside of the
cities and large towns. Conditions in
the country, small towns and villages
are similar.
In the United States the great men
have come almost entirely from the
rural districts, and such will continue
to be the case for several generations
at least.
Boys with sound bodies, clear minds,
and pure souls come under the control
of the teachers of rural schools. They
are the material God selects when
great work is to be done. The rural
school also trains for leadership. Its
influences are most potent and it's con-
tribution to leadership is by far the
richest and best. 1t is not perfect,
but is has always stood for fair
amount of intelligence, education,
habits of industry, and obedience.
1t has been a factor in the develop
ment of common sense, good judgment,
and independence Of thought and
action. There are so many classes in
the rural school, that teachers devote
their time to the class, rather than to
the individual. The child is thus
thrown upon its own resources and
must help himself. These conditions
favor the formation of good habits; he
is compelled to help himself and ap-
peal to the teacher only in case of
great difficulty. This certainly is a
great training, not only for the rural
school but for life. Pupils depend on
their own strength, and develop orig
inality, decision of character, thought
and speech.
The country school, even in the
midst of disadvantages, has certainly
furnished it's share of the brain and
manhood of this great nation, and we
must give the country school credit as
the great feeding grounds of intelli-
gence, health, pluck, common sence,
self reliance, and all those sturdy quail
tiles that count SO much for success in
life. The rural school problem is one
of the most important educational prob
lens before the American people.
Think of it! Iowa is actually paying
out of the state treasury $40, 1000 year
toward the expense of county fairs and
farmers institutes in eighty counties
of the state, and $4,95O per year
toward the expense of our ninety-nine
teachers normal Institutes. 1t would
seem that the state can afford to put
the teachers institute on par with
the farmers institute. Children are
valued far more than the cussing and
discussing of farm products, cattle,
hogs or sheep; then let more money be
expended for the training of teachers
and education of our children. Among
educators the subject has aroused the
deepest interest. There is no reason
why the children of the farmers of
Iowa should not receive the same adj
vantages that the children of the doc
tors, the lawyers and the merchants
enjoy. 1t can be done and should be
done. That there is still great need for
Improvement is shown by the large
numbers Of small schools found through
out the state. Irregular and non-at-
tendance of pupils is the curse of our
rural school system; free transporta-
ton and consolidation of districts is the
only cure.
The movement toward centraliza-
ton of rural schools is not entirely a
new one. Several communities in
Iowa have undertaken a consolidation
of districts with emminent success.
Why should districts be consolidated?
1t permits better grading of the
schools and more time given to recita-
tion.
It affords an opportunity for thor
ough work.
1t opens the doors to more weeks of
schooling!
1t insures the employment of better
teachers.
1t affords the broader companion
ship and culture that come from assoc
citation.
1t results in better attendance of
pupils.
It leads to better school buildings,
better equipment, and a larger supply
of books, charts. maps and apparatus.
1t quickens public interest in the
schools. Thus, it is seen that the adj
vantages of the consolidated school far
outnumber the trivial considerations of
small additional cost and trouble in the
first work of Capitalization; objection
is mostly prejudice and sentiment. For,
after all, the direct benefit will come
to the farm and farm life. The new
system will accomplish the purpose of
making life on the farm broader and
more desirable, and the farm home
purer and stronger. No where on
earth has child such advantages for