Newark post., 1911-05-31
Discussion OF The Rural Schools
Written for the Post.l

Written tor the POst.
One of the best advertisements
for any community, as we'll as ior
any town, is good school.
Thinking people, desirable citi-
zens, when about to locate in
new place, usually give consider
able thought to the educational
advantages and make their homes
in and add their intelligence to
that community which offers the
best.
Thus, from the tact that the
rural school has failed to keep up
with the times and is not the fac
tor that it once was, the drift has
been too much away from the
farm an dthose who live upon
farms make every effort to send
their olden children to the schools
in the nearest towns.
In no other business would we
tolerate methods OF such doubtful
excellence as those we employ in
our rural schools.
We know that there is some
thing wrong and we are thinking
and thinking OF what is best TO
do, and if we do not act quickly
the district school, as a whole, will
fall into utter disrepute.
OF course, splendidly conduct
ed rural schools do exist in the
State OF Delaware, but the man
who lives in that district where
such a school exists, speaks OF it
as matter of congratl1lation and
has no confidence in its continu-
ance. A generation ago the dis
trict school meant much more
than it does to-day, was well at
tended and earnest young men
and women found food that was
suited to their minds. There was
not then the gulf between the
county and the town school that
there is today. The re-establish-
ment Ol its old standard of excel
lence, with consideration of new
needs, is the most important prob
lem for educators in our State to-
day.
The rura school is slow to meet
the advancing conditions. 1t Is
too much alone.
Parents are losing confidence in
them. Those who will admit that
they received satisfactory educa,
tlonal foundation in rural schools
ar enOt content to send theiI
children to the same schools
They do not hold the institution
in sufficient respect.
DFCADENCE .OF--ORATORY
| have in my possession a print
ed program OF an exhibition helc
in a school near Newark only 2;
years ago. Music, vocal and in
strumental was furnished by al
orchestra composed OF eigh
young men and women, pupils o
the school there were recitation:
and orations by others, the sub
iect OF which would scarcely b.
understood by the oldest childrel
at that school today. An exhibi
tion OF like nature would now b'
impossible there. Just here il
occurs to me tha. declanaTol
and exhibitions play too small
part in all OF Our schools at pres
ent.
Who can imagine an intelllgen
portrayal by country school girl
of such characters as sweet Ellie
OF Loeb katr;ne or OF Portia a
Court?-or between school boy
such dialogues as that betwee
Brutus and Cassius, or a renditlo
Of Patrick Henry's famous speech
DO you say that such effort
would not be truly appreciated b
those in attendance? Perhaps no
but should not the school in ever
community be an educational ia(
tor to each one in that cOn1mur
ity?
We express fears Of the decao
ence OF oratory, yet we smile
hero worship.
How many young men. OF tl'
coming generation will be abb
fearlessly to take part in publ
discussions? Why, public discus
sions, even OF public questions,
on the wane.
How many OF these young me
will give credit to their old scho'
, for their interest and enthusiasI
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