The daily telegram. [volume] (Clarksburg, W. Va.) 1901-1926, 1912-11-06
gBEspAY. NovEl.gHR 5. IL.

ore Room sehool Houses in Illinois.
Labelling country school houses 50
that every cfti1en may know whether
his school Is up to standard is the
device Of the Illinois state school au-
t5orities, according to Information
received at the United States Bureau
Education.
The schools are Inspected as to
ground building, Furnishings. heat
ing. ventfi1tfon, library water sup
ply, SANITATION. and qualifications OF
the te&cher: Il the essentials of a
good seaooI afe found present d.
ploma lis gFanfed the district and a
plate Is placed above the door Of the
school house designating it as a
STANDARD SchooI'' Upon fuifnment
OF certain further requirements
higher diploma will be ISSUED and
the plate win read superior School,.
Already 657 OF the 1882 one room
school houses in Illinois have earned
the right TO be called standard
schools and to display the plate ac=1
cordingly
This interesting device is part of
q vigorous campaign waSed by the
state OF Illinois in behalf of rural
schools Two experts on rural edu-
cation. .. J. Hoffman and W. S
Booth. under the direction OF Hon.
f. G. Blair. state superintendent OF
public instruction, are devoting their
entire time 70 the country and village
schools.
Illinois does not merely ask that
the schools be brought up to standard,
the state tells how it can be done.
IN bullerin sent TO every teacher
in the State the requirements for
standard school are set forth. Among
the specifications are: An ample
playground; good approaches to the
school; convenient fuel houses; the
building. sound. in good repair, and,
painted; improved heating arrange
ments- iacketed stove in the corner
OF the room instead of an unprotect-
ed stove in the center: floor and in
terror OF the building clean and tidy;
suitable desks for children of all ages
properly placed: a good collection Of
juvenile books. maps, and dictionar-
les; sanitary water supply; the
school well organized with regular
attendance and at least seven months
schooling every year; the teacher
must have not less than high school
education, receive a salary Of at least
$3.50 4Der annum, and Sbe ranked by
the country superintendent as a good
or superior teacher
The more ambitious districts, as
piring to the superior diplomas,
will have tesSIneet the following adj
ditionaI rgqufremenfs a playground
of at least one-half acre, level, COW
cred With good grass. and provided
with trees and shrubsl sanitary
drinking appliance; separate cloak
rooms lb6 boys and girls; room light
ed fro none side or from one side
and reaE adjustable windows fitted
with good shades; heat provided by
basement or room furnace with prop
er arrangements for removal of bad
air and admission OF pure air; at
least eighty library books, ten SUIT
able Tor each grade; two good pictures
on the Wal1: provision for'instruction
in agriculture. manual training. and
domestic arts: the teacher TO be a
high school graduate with normal
training and TO receive at least $3.50
per annum: the work outlined in the
state course OF study to be. we'll done.
The Illinois authorities do not ex-
pect to see this movement for better
ment OF the one room schools inter-
Eere in any way with thefnatFlra! de-
velopmept Of consolidated schools;
but believing, as they do. that be-
cause of the scattered farming pop
uIatsop Of Illincts. one room schools
VIII be necessary for many years,
they seek to make this type 50 efficient
for the community that a desire will
be created among tae citizens in
rural communities for greater edu-
-cational advantages for their children