The daily sentinel., 1909-12-01

total of 200 districts, and out of
total enrolment in the state of about
$4,000 pupils, which included the
cities and towns there were over 81 s.
900 in ungraded schools. That in the
consolidated districts, where from 6
to o districts had been consolidated,
the average attendance was from 60
to 100 each.
Wisconsin was also cited to us. and
there we found that 200 schools
had an average attendance of less
than 10 and that over 200. 900 pupils,
or half the whole number in the
state, including the city schools, were
in ungraded schools.
In Connecticut ons-tenth of schools
had an average attendance of less
than s., and in all the other states
cited. the condition was about the
same.
Now when We compared the condi-
tions of the schools in those states,
both before and after consolidation,
with the present condition of our
school at Pear Park. we concluded
that our condition now. without con-
solidation was better than theirs were
after consolidation, and that. If they,
i'll their consolidated schools. with 60
TO 100 pupils and about 2 teachers,
were doing good work. and worthy
the praise of educators. and of being
cited as exarsples. why can't we with
our 90 to 120 pupils and from 3 to
teachers, do good work, worthy of
praise and commendation, and re-
main as we are, since our present con-
dition is equally as good. and even
better than the majority of those
copsolidated schools.
DR.. A. c. True, Phi d.. director of
the office of the experimental sta
tion under the secretary of agricul-
ture. Washington. d. c.. states the
matter thus: There is general
agreement among school authorities
that the first thing to be done is to
reduce the number of small school
districts, to make the township the
smallest unit of school management.
and as far as possible to consolidate
the country schools wherever the ay-
erage attendance falls below 90"
(Year book of department of agricul
ture. 1901. page 143).
DR.. True had in mind and was
speaking of the conditions just de-
scribed in those states.
All those prominent educators who
have written and spoken in favor of
consolidation, had in mind the con-
ditions prevailing in those eastern
states where the farm unit runs from
/ so acres to G40 or more acres and
where the districts have from to 20
pupils in attendance.
There Is absolutely no comparison
between their consolidation and ours.
and when those prominent educators.
governors. senator's. etc, to whom we
have been so often referred speak of
consolidation. they do not speak of it
in the abstract. as those who have
taken 1t upon themselves TO enlighten
US upon the subject, would have us
believe. They speak of consolidation
as applied to those conditions already
cited, and when their remarks are
taken away from the premises upon
which. they are based. they are mis-
quotest and misrepresented. We be-
lieve lehat we have in Pear Park. all
the essential elements of as good
school as we could have under the
proposed consolidation. 1t is general
ly agreed among educators, that, on
an average. one teacher should have
about thirty pupils. and that these
should be divided into not more than
two grades. And that with school
of eight grades. divided among four
teachers, with about thirty pupils
each. we have a sufficient number
for good and efficient work. all other
accessories and equipment being sup
piled.
In Pear Park we can meet those
conditions and are abundantly able to