The Fargo forum and daily republican. [volume] (Fargo, N.D.) 1894-1957, 1912-11-13
BETTER ATTENDANCE IS
HOPE OF CONSOLIDATION

is. Its distinctive characteristic does
not lie In the number of pupils, but in
the extent of territory served. The
essential feature Of the old system
rs the ideal hat there shall be
schoo within a mile or two from
every home-that is, within easy
walking distance Of each pupil. The
essential feature of the consolidated
school is that it serves q territory sew
eral times as large as the old school
served. so that transportation is
necessary for a portion OF the pupils.
If the population is dense, then
consolidation may give us a good
graded school with a number of de-
nartments. and perhaps even some
high school work. If the population is
sparse, then consolidation may not
give US more h a two departments,
or perhaps only one; but we snail
nave a strong n instead Of three
or foul weak les better financial
support, longer terms. better build
lngs. equipment, libraries, teachers,
and attendance. Indeed, 1t may be
said that the sparser the population
the smaller n weaker the schools,
the more crying need for their
consolidation. We have a good ex-
ample of consolidation in a new sec
ton Of the staote in a the North
Lennon school in Adams county.
MISS IAOSG "dbLSl llC SOuIllJ pa
ton of the state in a the North
garding this school: W. are hiring
one teacher at SIS per month instead
of three at $45. as under the old
plan. Next year we will have two
teachers and we shall then have a
class of five in the ninth grade. The
work, even with only one teacher,
is vastly superior, as we have good
sized classes, a nine-months' term,
supplementary reading matter, 200
library books and a normal graduate
for a teacher who has been with us
! for two years."
North Dakota a Leader.
In another section of the bulletin"
he says, George M. Knorr, special
field agent for the United States row.
eminent, made an investigation OF this
subject extending over more than
three years, in the cOurse of which he
visited a large proportion of the n
SOlidated rural schools IN the whole
country. He makes the statement
that 95 per cent Of the farmers who
have thoroughly tried the consolidated
school are unanimous in their en-
dorsement n support, and what is
especially pertinent here, he says:
Consolidation is as successful in Ida
no and North Dakota as in Florida,
and r. the needs of the rural pop-
! ulation as effectively in Louisiana as
in Indiana or Maine. The success of
consolidation in the sparsely settled
sections of North Dakota and Florida
tends to dispel the popular miscon-
ception tina 1t Is practicable only in
densely inhabited territory"
There is no gainsaying the fact"
says Professor Schmidt, that bad
roads are a great obstacle to the best
operation of the consolidated school,
They effect in the same way the
marketing of farm produce, the deliv-
cry of mail and all other traffic. But
to say the children cannot be hauled
10 school is to throw upon them a
burden we are not willing to put upon
horses; Inc 1t is to ignore facts, for
they are carried successfully in North
! Dakota ver all kinds Of roads, there
being scores of cases where school rigs
lever missed a day throughout the
year. Except in small parts of the
state, the roads remain comparatively
firm even in wet seasons. Neither are
our snoWdriftS an obstacle to consol-
| idation, for when horses cannot trav-
ell through the drifts it is quite certain
that little children should not be ex-
pected to make their way through
them. Even though the distance to
the central school is greater, horses
can be trusted to travel over our roads
many udyS Wneu lLIle cnlluren are
unable to attend. the ordinary schools
by walking"
President Worst's Opinion.
Contained in the bulletin are de-
tailed expressions of opinion from
some of the most prominent educators
of the state. Among them are Pres
John H. Worst of the agricultural col
lege, who is perhaps the best inform
ed of all regarding rural conditions
In part President Worst says: 81 an
heartily in favor Of consolidated
schools. Wherever tried earnestly an6
intelligently, as in Ohio, they have
proven successful beyond the antici.
patton of the Warmest friends OF the
consolidation movement. / am con.
ident that our country schools will
never approximate real efficiency un,
til consolidation becomes general
What though it cost more money
which, however. all things considered
is questionable? The men and wo
men the country schools are commits
stoned to make are worth more thar