The Salt Lake tribune. [volume] (Salt Lake City, Utah) 1890-current, 1911-11-24
STUDY CONDITIONS
IN RURAL SCHOOLS
State Superintendent Submits
Outline for Extended Ill
Testigation.
PROBLEM Is INTRICATE
Influence of Parents Upon
Pupils One of the Chief
Topics for Study.
Is INTRICATE

schools by the committee which was
appointed for this purpose at the last
session of the National Educational
association, has been prepared by State
superintendent OF Public Instruction A
Z. Nelson, who has returned from a
meeting OF the special committee held
IN Chicago. The outline shows five
topics which the committee will in,
Nest1gate and make q report ON with
the idea of bringing about a better.
ment of conditions.
Sources of revenue, qualifications of
teachers, school organization and ad.
ministration, social life in the school
aud school equipment are the subjects
which the committee will look into.
Scope of the Work
The following statement of the work
decided upon by the committee was
prepared Ws,pa yesterday by Superintendent
In the preliminary work of tho com
mittee- OF eleven, the following topics
were decided upon as tho center Of in
terest in investigating rural school CON
ditions throughout the United states:
F1rst-"Sources of Revenues and Their
second-'ou Qualifications Of Teachers
Thirds School Organization and Ad-
Fourth-"Socal Life in the School"
Z.
Under these various headings the fol-
lowing subdivisions were made.
Distribution"
IA rational basis for the distribution
OF state school funds should lie recon-
nended In the hope that the various
states of the Union may be led TO its
adoption At present different methods
OF distribution are In operation In the
several states.
"A system Of classification for rural
tion on ,he part OF the state To such
schools as shall fulfill the required con-
dition.
s-A strong statement urging ,he en-
term law and state aid TO weak dis
tricts would prove beneficial.
l-Leglslatiou in al states providing
for free high schools for all non-resi-
dent pupils would represent a long step
forward.
Would Raise Standard.
Second-'Qualfica ions OF Teachers
and Tenure of Office"
1.-The enactment OF laws providing
for more adequate preliminary training
on the part Of applicants for teachers
certificates would accomplish much I'm
securing a better grade of teachers for
our rural schools.
o-Investigation and accommodation
relative TO the system OF normal train
ing courses in the various states would
prove a valuable attribution
teachers In rural schools.
3-Appoirtment OF teachers hy cduca.-
tlonal experts. such as county OF dis
trict superintendents.
Organization Problems.
Third-"School Organization and Ad-
IA careful study OF the several units
Of school organization should be made
with the view to secure the adoption OF
The most efficient working unit
"A strong presentment OF the advan-
tages of Capitalization or consolidation
Of schools may we'll be adopted by this
committee.
s-The question OF closer supervision
Jance. .A plan should be recommended
which would provide supervisors for a |
minimum number OF schools The super
risors should be under the direction of
a-The system for one or more rural
school supervisors 10 work under the d. |
'ection OF the state department of edu-
cation in each state Is an important |
factor to he considered.
5--A provision in the several states for |
The issuance OF n course of study for the |
schools and a provision for
the compulsory use OF such course OF |
study would mean much for the advance
nent OF the elementary course OF In
ough study OF the compulsory school |
avs In the several states. a plan in
'olvlng uniform practice In this particu-
ar would no doubt be of great value.
IA study of the township high school |
would lead 10 valuable results,
sA study of the system OF county su-
and recommendation as TO the
manner of selection. tenure Of office and
salary Of county superintendents would
'eSult In a distinct benefit 10 the cause
II education5
Din view of the general recognition
II the need OF a certain reorganization
md redirectlon OF the courses OF study
II our rural schools. il is suggested that |
| study be- made OF the feasibility of
truction In vocational work. particularly
IS relates TO Agriculture
Influence Of Parents
Yourth-"Social Life in fine School"
Perhaps close inquiry based upon
he theory that the progress. discipline
Ind md. development sIoy' OF the youth depend
PARENTAL influence than upon all others
would have a direct bearing
'pon the problem set for this commit
Ion. to what extent approximately does
he influence OF incompetent parental
supervision affect The capabiity. adap-
non. Ma T.. 81, usS,p,1ns s,I e; and efficiency o! iI1e
late may do great things for the boy
md slrl and Yet the parent can easily
lndo them.
2-Co-operation or social aHrairs-the
lon1e. the church, the grange. farmers
extension work OF colleges, pa
'ers and magazines, etc
S-School buildings as social centers
organized games. plays. School libraries.
,ylnna Sums, etc,
Good Equipment Needed.
tiful-" School Plant and Equipment"
Model school buildings and their
and model school grounds
nay well engage the careful attention
4 this committee.
2-Laws providing for the approval Of
chool plans by a competent commit
es 10 be recommended for The various
lates.
3--Contrhuttng agencies Systematic
ecords that shall reveal real facts TO
az rural school population, (b) enroll ;
nent, (c) average attendance, Cd length
# term, (e) Humber OF rural school
up!ls completing the work OF grades:
n comparative per capita cost OF town
ND country system, (g) comparison
er pupil Of valuation of taxable prop
rty. town and country: CHI comparison :
4 average mil: levy OF town and ooun- ,
ry; dD comparison OF value of school !
property buildings, etc. per pupil. town /
nd country; 90 comparison OF enroll I
nent per teacher. town and country. I
k) comparison OF average number Of
chool days attended In town and in i
ountry. II