The Democratic banner. (Mt. Vernon, Ohio) 1898-192?, 1911-06-06
RURAL
Schools In Ohio Are Behind
The Times
Such Is Report OF The State
Inspector
Buildings Are Mainly Old
Time Structures
And Methods Of Instruction
In Some Cases
We're In Use A Great MaDy
Years Ago
columbus Newsl

Reports filed with the state school
commissioner by School Inspector s.
X. Mardis indicate that conditions in
the rural schools of Ohio are in gem
eral, no better than they were thir-
ty years ago. The inspector has visit
ed a large number of these schools
and has noted carefully the material
equipment, the character of the teach
er's preparation for his work, the evil
dence of professional progress and
the manner in which local ofncials are
observing and enforcing state laws.
The typical country school building,
as shown by the Inspectors report,
is box-like structure, set in an en-
closure without trees, shrubbery or
walks; even window shades are rare,
and modern methods of lighting, heat
ing and ventilating are unknown; the
outbuildings are dilapidated and filthy,
and the old wooden benches of our
fathers time are still in use in some
places.
The school with an adequate equip
ment for teaching is the exception.
Textbooks were found that had been
in use for forty years old editions
that have not been seen in a city or
village for a generation.
The inspectors memoranda show
hot ~ ~ hn too In,
charge of the rural schools have had
no training in addition to that afford
ed by these same schools; few high
school graduates were found, and oc-
casionally teacher who had attend
ed a normal school for short time.
Methods of teaching are, for the most
part, antiquated. Nearly SO per cent
are teaching beginners to read by the
"a b G" method, which Inspector
Mardis says has not been practical
by progressive teachers for 25 years.
Few of the township boards of ed
ucation are enforcing the truant law;
many do not appoint truant officers,
although the law is mandatory. The
inspector discovered two families of
children ranging in age from Z to 10
years, who had never been in school.
The requirement that the schools be
in session not less than eight months
and that teachers be paid forty dollars
per month is frequently defied or
evaded. Teachers admitted to the in
spector that while they had signed a
contract to teach eight months, they
had agreed orally to close the schools
at the end of seven months. Advan-
tage is not taken of the provision of
state aid, owing to the Indifference and
obstinancy of local school officers. In
one locality the teachers told the in
spector that they were compelled to
contribute to the campaign expenses
of board members.
AS to the cause of educational stag
nation in the rural districts, public
school men are in substantial agree
ment. The cityward movement is
blamed for some of it, since the peo-
pie who are dissatisfied with condi-
tions are the ones who move away
thus weakening educational sentiment.
The isolation of the farm family is an
other factor There Is a lack of COM
munity interest, because the people
are not brought together for consid-
Grafton of their common affairs. 1t
is shown that in neighborhoods in
which farmers organizations are ac-
tive, conditions are much better than
elsewhere.
Advancement dependent upon self
activity is very slow, and school men
believe that what is needed is an in
fiuence originating outside of the ru
raj communicable employment OF
supervisory officers. They are divid
ed, however, on the question, the
county or the township as the unit Of
administration, the advocates of the
former asserting that conditions have
not been greatly improved by town
ship supervision.