Polk County observer. (Monmouth, Polk County, Or.) 1888-1927, 1910-10-21
We MUST KEEP IN Line
POLK CANNOT AFFORD TO VOTE
AGAINST HIGH SCHOOLS.
Progressive Counties Everywhere Are
Strengthening This Branch OF
Public School System.

= uDAAN h1s-AhOOA oJoS[AAhe
The American High School is now
an established part of our educational
system. 1t has come to stay, and any
effort that tends to delay its perfect
Organization in any community results
only in delaying the good work that
1t might be doing for the present gem
Grafton.
Oregon is fortunate in two things I'm
the development of her high school
system. First, the course of study is
planned for the need of the high
schools. This work was done by the
State Superintendent and Principals
of the high schools, and the question
Of college entrance requirements did
not enter in any way in forming the
course of study. For example, in the
first year of the high school, half
year of office work in business meth
ods is required. Such work was not at
that time thought of as a college en-
trance requirement, but now it is ac-
cepted by the State University and at
least one other University Of Oregon.
In other states the high school course
of study is dictated by the Colleges
and Universities.
Second, as many pupils as finish the
eighth grade, just that many complete
at least two and one half years of
high school work. This is proved by
the official reports (1909-1910) of the
county school superintendents' reports
now on file in the office of the Superin-
tendent of Public Instruction. 1t is es-
timated that for the entire United
States ninety per cent of the children
who finish the grade work do not enter
high schools. Oregon takes no part
in making up such showing.
Now since our boys and girls are at
tending the high schools and since the
give finished education to those who
can go no further, no one county can
afford to neglect the work of making
more efficient its system of high
schools.
Other Counties Experience.
In Lane and Linn counties, the
County High School Fund has been es-
tablished. In each county the number
of high schools and their efficiency
has increased rapidly since adopting
this plan. A letter addressed to the
County School Superintendent of Ell
ther of these counties will procure in
as to the practical workings
Of the law, and also as to the general
of the people.
In as much as the parents are de-
to send their children
the high schools. such schools
must be maintained, and 1t is no more
expensive to maintain the county high
school plan than any other In fact, it
seems to be the most economical plan
yet devised
The plan briefly stated is this: the
people at the general election vote
yes or no on the establishment of
County High School Fund. If the
measures carries the County Court
after a careful estimate levies a tax
'or the maintenance of high schools A
County High School Board is organ
zed composed of the County Court,
he County Treasurer and the County
school Superintendent This Board
contracts with each district in the
county that maintains a high school
Up to the standard set by the State
Board Of Education, as specified in
section 7, page 1T, General Laws
1903, or section 261. Oregon School
Laws. The contract states the basis
'f the distribution OF, the county high
'chool fund shall be upon the average
iaily attendance during the school
'ear. The total amount of money
'aid to any district during the school
'ear shall not be less than $40 per pu-
'il for the first 30 of such average
laily attendance. and $50 for the sec
md 20; nor more than $3.50 per pu-
~ for al the remaining pupils.
Fund Bas-d on Attendance.
The property OF the entire county Is
'laced back OF the high schools but IL
district wishes to maintain a high
ehool, II must furnish a good school
and Keep the school up to
he state standard. The distribution OF
he fund is based upon the average
ally attendance to encourage attend
nee. and that it does So is proved by
he fact that In Linn county, the most
onseryative estimate OF this years
Ugh school enrolment shows an aver
ge increase Of fifty per cent over last
ear for the entire county. In some
istricts the increase is one hundred
er cent.
The arguments then In favor OF the
of the county high
chool fund are (1) It Increases the
Hicieney Of the high schools by plac-
1g their administration on a secure
asis; (2) it increases the number OF
Ugh schools. and this makes it possi-
lie for the boy and girl to complete a
ood high school course without hav-
lg TO leave home; (s) It increases the.
tendance Of high schools. and the
cry large increase tends to show that
ome-seekers are choosing those
ounties which maintain the best sys-
m OF schools