Evening journal., 1912-11-13
ron BETTER COUNTRY scHOoLs.


TNhb state school authorities in Illinois have taken
an advanced step for the stimulation of local
pride in school buildings that is worthy of emulation
In other States II is nothing more or less than the
labelling of country school houses so that every
cen may know at glance whether the grounds, build
ing and equipment up to the fixed standard for
such schools
The schools inspected as to. grounds building
furnishings, heating ventilation library. water supply
sanitation, and qualifications of tho teacher If the
sentials OF good school found present diploma
is granted the district and plate is placed above the
door OF the school house designating STANDARD
School Upon fuhllment Of certain further require
ments higher diploma viii be issued and the plate
VIII read Superior school, Already 657 Of the 1852
one-room schoohouses in Illinois have earned the
right to be called standard schools and display the
plate accordingly
This interesting device is part Of vigorous cam
paign waged by the State of Illinois in behalf of rural
schools Two experts rural education, u j. Hoh-
man and w. s. Booth under the direction Of Hon. f. G.
Blair State Superintendent Public instruction,
devotins their entire time the country and village
schools Illinois does merely ask that the schools
be brought up to standard The State tells how il can
be done. In bulletin sent to every teacher in the
State the requirements for a standard school are set
forth Among the specifications An ample play
ground good approaches the school, convenient fuel
houses the building sound in good repair and painted
improved heating arrangements-a iacketed stove in
the corner OF the instead OF unprotected stove
in the center: floor and interior Of the building clean
and tidy suitable desks for children of all ages prop
ery placed, good collection Of juvenile books, maps
and dictionaries; sanitary water supply, the school
we'll organized with regular attendance and at least
seven months schooling year The teacher must
have not less than highschOol education. receive
salary OF least $500 per anhum. and he ranked by
the county superintendent AS good superior
teacher
The more ambitious districts aspiring to the "su-
perior' diplomas, will have TO meet the following adj
ditional requirements: playground of at least one
half level, covered with good grass and pro-
vided with trees and shrubs sanitary drinking appi-
ance, separate cloak rooms for boys and girls room
lighted from side from side and rear, adius-
table windows fitted with good shades heat provided
by basement furnace with proper arrange
ments for removal of bad air and admission Of pure
air. at least eighty library books, ten suitable for
each grade; two good pictures the wall provision
for instruction in agriculture. manual training. and
domestic arts; the teacher TO be- a hgh-schoo grad
uate with normal-schoo training and to receive at
least $3.50 per the work outlined in tue State
course OF study to be we'll done
The Illinois authorities do not expect to see this
movement for bettermeni Of the onc-room schools i'm
terfere in any way with the natural development Of
consolidated schools but believing. as they do that
because Of the scattered farming population Of llh-
nos oue-room schools will he necessary for many
years they seek to make this type efficient for the
community that desire will be created among the
citizens In rural communities for greater educational
advantages for their children
II seems TO MS that there are many schools right
here in Delaware to which such an Improvement
stimulus might he applied with profit, we're The State
BOARD Of Education disposed TO follow the lcdd Of the
state Board in Illinois