Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1912-07-12
SUPERINTENDENT DEYoE POINTS
TO INApEouAciEs IN RURAL
EDUCATIONAL PLAN.
CONSOLIDATED SCHOOL
SYSTEM THE SOLUTION
Rural Teachers Unprsparsd to Instruct
Girls and Boys Of Iowa Along Modern
Linss-Ineompstent Instructors, Un-
suitable Buildings and Anticipated
Training Methods Hating Progress.
Special to Times-Republican.

Special to Times-Republican.
Des Moines, July 1.-THE rural sub
district and independent school dis
trict, the district school treasurer. the
school every two miles, the inequalities
Of taxation-these are among the things
standing in the way Of progress in rural
F.! reform in Iowa, according to State
| Superintendent A. NJ. Deyoe. just NOM
mated for a second term as head OF
j the state educational department. 1t
was because of these things and pc
! cause the department is making a good
| fight to bring about better conditions,
! that the republicans Of Iowa, IN their
! platform. on which the campaign In
Iowa must be made this year, inserted
a plank in regard to the necessity Tor
revision of the school laws 1t was the
proper thing to be done and shows that
the party is in line with the progressive
thought of the state. The plank VIII
! be pleasing to everyone interested at
all in school betterment.
Campaign in Progress.
| When Superintendent Deyoe was
first nominated for state superintend-
ent he Won on definite program OF
progress, and in office he has been
going about preaching the gospel OF
| better schools and better conditions OF
/ life for the rural residents Of Iowa. He
| has delivered a great many addresses
| and is in great demand at teachers
institutes He is largely responsible
for the commission to inquire into
school matters and report to the state
| Teachers Association.
You might as well attempt to drain
the gulf into the Atlantic as to expect
| the average young girl who takes
| charge of the rural school today to
teach home arts and industrial sub
jects" says Superintendent Deyoe.
About one-third of the teachers in
country districts each year are wholly
without experience or training for the
J work Of teaching. 1t Is nonsense to
expect those to teach practical things
+, who lack a knowledge of what is prac-
| tical themselves. No wonder that the
boys leave school about the fifth or
sixth year. No wonder that those who
are really ambitious for an education
move to town No wonder that farm
life surroundings are not attractive
when there is practically no opportun-
ity for social occasions, and no atten-
llOU given IL 6OOO, "AOiCSOAAAS : SSA ~
tons.
Pioneering In Rural Schools
Social life is one Of the strongest
desires OF a normal youth. 1t is the
panacea that drives away the humdrum
Of life. Did you ever hear anyone sug-
teest moving into the country because
Of the superior social and educational
facilities? The farmer who thinks that
any sort Of building located within
walking distance Of his home with
young teacher Of rather meager educa-
cation and practically no settled ideals
of life constitutes a good school is
either unfair or mistaken. We have
passed the age Of the scythe. the fail.
1.-The old shovel cultivator. and the hand
planter: yes. we have even passed the
stage of the self-rake and the horse
power thresher, but the most Of the
icountry communities are still pioneer
ing as far as rural schools are con-
cerned. The rural school has descend
ed into merely a primary school in
many. many localities. l wish every
farmer and resident in a small town or
village in Iowa could visit some OF the
best consolidated schools. think much
Of the existing prejudice and narrow
ness with respect to this matter would
be removed il the patrons OF ou1
schools could see what is being done at
Marathon and Buffalo Center. The
consolidated school Of the past has
partially failed because Of simply at
tempting to initiate the old type OF &C
credited city schools. The new type o.
, the consolidated school is the school
Of greatest possibilities"
Mr.. Deyoe in his addresses described
what he found at the two places men
toned ana also conditions as he found
them at Charlottesville, all places
where excellent results are being OBJ
tanned in Iowa
Must Rsorganizs systsn,.
TT is absolutely necessary, says
Professor Deyoe. that such reor'
/. ganization of our school system bt
j. contaminated in order that modern
J. buildings and equipment can be pro-
vided and competent teachers be en-
/. ployed There will be no great and
permanent improvement under oul
i. present system of locating a schoo
!. every two miles. The existence OF thu
rural sub district and the rural indie
!. pendent district is a hindrance to thu
/. movement for improved school facili'
ties.
/. Because a few boys and girls from
the country enter the high schools II
j. towns and excel in colleges, there ar
j. those who argue that the preparation
|. received in the country schools is 81
/. periGr to that secured in the gradet
!. schools Because a few Of the bright
|. est boys and girls from the country
|. who possess the ambition and grit t.
t &c. higher than the country distric
J. affords, is no argument that the schoo
: is all right. These boys and girl
would succeed, and do succeed, becaus
!, Of the courage and determination t
succeed no matter how great the OBJ
stacle. Regular habits Of living an,
, definite responsibilities placed upol
the country youth are important fac
TORS in building the foundation TO
isuccessful lives. Supplement these ma
= turaf conditions with better social an
educational facilities and life on tn
farm can be made ideal
Higher Education Neglected.
But 10 per cent Of the total enroll
. ment off the public schools Of Iowa en-
g ter the high schools. This small per
centage IL due in part TO the failure O
!. many communities to provide loca
high school facilities ,at all. and to tn
f.ses: &C.: ..:A :se s..h!e:.: ..>:.SSS s.. !: ::
Imany high schools do not appeal to tn