The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1912-06-23
THE MOONLIGHT
SCHOOL INNOVATION
ROWAN COUNTY, KENTUCKY. IN
PRODUCES SYSTEM THAT 10
WORKING GREAT GOOD.
sy GEORGE A. JORDAN

About ten years ago a new Hle
came tn the schools Of the Southern
States. Suddenly the people every
where awoke to the truth that there
were better things for them. Inc
schools OF all grades have rapidly I'M
proved. The elementary schools nave
made wonderful progress, and high
schools have sprung up by the nun
bred. The boys and girls OF TO-DAY
low in their enlarged opportunities
ana the fond and hopeful parents re-
ioics that their children are blessed
with privileges which to the parents
in childhood were Unknown
Does there never come into the
hearts OF these unselfish parents
longing for some of the good things
they see their children enjoy? Yes,
often: but these longings are looked
upon as fruitless and are hastily dis
missed from the mird. oh, no; 1t Is
not for them. They have labored ana
economical for their children and VIII
continue to do SO, and those children
shall reap the harvest of their parents
toll.
But recently the sphere of the
schools activities has been greatly
that the school plant should have
something for parent as well as Tor
child, for patron as well as for pupil;
yes, and something for the taxpayer
who has no child. Thus mas the school
become a social center for lectures
and libraries, for farmers meetings
and mothers clubs.
But why should the school not con-
tribute directly to the practical edu-
cation Of the adult as well as OF the
child? May there not be placed IN
the school machinery some factor the
operation of which shall help those
adults who have a thirst for knowl-
edge-a desire to make UP to some
extent for the limited on the neglected
opportunities of early days? Let the
fascinating story Of the "Moonlight
Schools" of Rowan county, Kentucky.
answer these questions.
These schools were begun on the
moonlight nights OF September, 1911.
and were made definite feature OF
the school work OF the year. Their
primary object was 10 help any grown
people who in younger days had mao
no opportunity to learn to read ana
write, or those who had failed to I'M
prove that opportunity. Unseihsn
teachers campaigned their districts
people to come. Then they waited for
results. The response was most graf
flying The workers would have been
Had to help even the twos and threes,
but they found then. classes swelling
till Of the fortyfive rural schools or
Rowan county no school mad enroued
less than ten and one had as many as
fifty-eight students. Earnest and
eager they came. OF all ages, from
the young man Of twenty to the silver
haired grandmother OF eighty-sfx. And
the response was qualifying. In two
weeks some of these adult pupils were
members OF one family had In a FORT
night learned to read and write. Many
enrolled who were not iliiterate. put
who thirsted for more knowledge.
Reading, writing. composition. arith-
metic. history and geography were all
popular studies. Bible study was
to many visitors to the
schools who saw the interested and
eager pupils and their animated
teachers, went away declaring the
sight an inspiring one.
The community results were far-
reaching. Increased attendance at
day school followed. parents who had
enrolled as night pupils taking deep
@r interest," IUHH cNST LII NiC
OF their children. Social life In the
county is sweetened: the demand for
books. magazines. and farm periods
Gals has greatly increased. Sunday
schools have gained members. and q
deeper interest In taken in church
work
These adult pupils themselves nave
become new creatures fresh
hope has been awakened; dul faces
have frightened: q new light shines
from the eye; tho step II more alert.
The lost II being found.
Il Il stranse--passinE strange-that
this work has not been done. before
In our rural schools. Eut We are COM
ing to our ow1. : The moonlight
schools'' Of Rowan county, Kentucky,