Evening journal., 1908-08-17
HOW SCHOOL LAW
WORKS in SUSSEX
Large Increase in Attendance
Of Children
Reported
ONE FATHER FEARED SON
WOULD BECOME FORGER

Sussex Republican.
our past school year was the FIRST
under the compulsory school law. IL
is not generally known that the state
OF Delaware Is one of the most liberal
States IN the Union, In the support OF
its public schools In rural districts
scarcely one half OF the expense OF
maintaining the school Is borne by the
local taxation. Yet In spite OF this
liberality. our Legislature found from
statistics submitted at The last ses-
sion that Delaware ranked number 81
In the matter Of illitoracy among the
States Of the Union People are taxed
20 keep schools open whether they have
children or not, and the Legislature
felt that parents should be placed under
a legal obligation to send their chill
dren, at least under fourteen years OF
age to school a portion Of the year and
not be permitted to squander willfully
the money provided so literally to as
sist in the task OF making their chill
dren intelligent and patriotic citizens.
Questioned by Mr.. Brooks.
To ascertain the efficacy Of the law,
Superintendent John d. Brooks OF Sus-
sex County submitted three questions
20 the teachers Of the county at the
close Of the school term. The FIRST
asked concerning the increase OF at
tendance under the law. The second
asked about the dihlculty Of enforc-
ing it. The third asked. what changes
or amendments in the law would be
suggested. The answer 20 the second
question showed almost uniformity,
that they had little or no dlniculty
I'm enforcing the law; thus showing
that the law was reasonable and
backed by public sentiment. The an
swers 10 the third question about the
changes or amendments 10 law mainly
suggested lengthening the compulsory
school period. and raising the age from
four teen to sixteen years. In answer
ing the first question about the Increase
OF attendance some interesting statis-
tics were submitted.
The reports from rural districts from
all sections Of the country showed an at
tendance under the law Of Is per cent or
10 be more exact p and seven tenths per
cent As these figures include the chill.
dren Of the school whether under the conn
pulsory law or not the increase must be
enormous.
The average increase Of attendance ir
the town schools was not so large, as the
attendance In the town schools has usual.
ly been quite regular even without th'
law. Yet these schools showed an increase
OF fifteen per cent Under better under
standing. and more rigid enforcement Of
the law. this year It is anticipated tina
figures viii be largely increased. A proper
enforcement Of the law will almost abolisl
fliteracy in the coming generation, AM
the sad spectacle OF a free citizen Of De.
aware reared IN the midst OF free publ
schools; yet unable 10 write his owi
name win be a memory.
Sharp Notices to Parents.
An unpleasant part OF the Superinten
dents duty is to send out sharp notices 4
parents who are dereliot in sending thei
children TO school II is curious fac
that many OF these notices mailed 10 the
postofnce of the parent were returned
marked unknown, and than had 10 be sent
10 the teacher to be delivered. This fact
shows that iliterate parents OF the dis
trict who receive absolutely no mail arc
rearing their children like themselves, by
noglecting 70 send them to school
One father with large family Of chill
dren declared that he did mol ~lsh his
children TO learn to write for fear they
would be guilty OF forgery in after life
In single county school ave large boys
and girls were in the primer class who
had never been to school day before. Al
the close Of school they were able te write
their names and the Bible and news.
paper no longer remained sealed against
them. No law in recent years has beea
more justified by It's results than this ore
Districts which wish 10 avoid express
charges on books ought to send their or
ders IN at once to the State treasures