The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1912-11-02
oNE-RooM scHooLHoUSES.
Large Number in Illinois and up to
Standard

Labelling country schoolhouses SO tina
every citizen may know whether his
school IS up to standard is the device 0
the Illinois state school authorities. nc
lcording to information received at tn
United states bureau of education
The schools are inspected as to grounds
buildings. furnishings, heating, ventilation
library, water supply, sanitation an,
qualifications of the teacher If the es
sentials of a good school are found pres
cnt diploma il granted the district ant
plate is placed above the door Of thu
schoolhouse designating il as n stand
ard school Upon fuliillment Ct Ger
tain further requirements higher di
/ ploma will be issued and the plate vii
read superior school"
! Already 6657 Of the 1852 one-roon
/ sehoolhouscs in Illinois have earned thu
right to he called standard schools and
I 10 display the plate accordingly.
! This interesting device is part of a
vigorous campaign waged by the state
of Illinois in behalf Of rural schools
Two experts on rural education. L. ]
Hoffman and r.. S. Booth, under the di.
rection OF Hon. i. G. Blair. state super.
intendent Of public instruction, are de-
voting their entire time to the country
and village schools
Illinois does not merely ask that the
schools be brought UP to standards the
state tells how ii can be done. In a bull
letin sent to every teacher in the state
the requirements for a standard school
are set forth. Among the specifications
are; An ample Fairgrounds; good APP
proaches To the school: convenient fuel
houses; the building. sound. in good re-
pair. and painted; improved heating ar
rangements-a iacketed stove in the
corner of the room instead of an unpro-
tected 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 dictionaries;
sanitary water supply; the school
well organized with regular attendance
and at least seven months schooling
very years the teacher must have not
less than high school education, re-
ceiye a salary of at least $500 per an
mum, and be ranked by the country sup
erintendent as a good or superior teach
err.
he more ambitions districts, aspiring
to the superior diplomas. viii have to
meet the following additional require
ments: A playground of at least one
half an acre, level. covered with good
grass. and provided with trees and
shrubs; sanitary drinking appliances;
separate cloak rooms for boys nd girls;
room lighted from one side or from one
side and erar; adjustable windows fitted
with good shades; heat provided by
basemnet or room furnace. with proper
for removal of bad air and
admission of pure air; at least eighty
library books, for instruction in agricul-
lure, manual training. and domestic
arts; the teacher to be a high school
graduate with normal school training
md TO receive at least $3.50 per annum;
he work outlined in the state course of
,tudv to be well done.
The Illinois authorities do not ex-
,ect to see this movement for better
nent of the one-room schools interfere
n any way with the natural develop
nent Of consolidated schools; but be- |
loving as they do. that because Of the 1
scattered farming population Of Illinois /
me room schools will be necessary for /
many years they seek to make this /
ype 80 efficient for the community that I
desire will be created among the citi- /
ems in rural communities for greater /
EDUCATIONAL advantages for their chill /
ren.