The Chanute times., 1912-08-23
PLANS BIG REFORM
IN RURAL SCHOOLS
Campaign to Be Launched to Make
Them Better in kansas-Supt.
Fairchild Urges II.

A campaign of organized effort to
modernize the rural schools OF Kan
sas-that was the keynote plan adopt
ed by seventy-five county superinten-
dents of Kansas as result OF rhelr
sixth annual conference just closed at
the Kansas Agricultural college. Urged
by e. T. Fairchild, state superinten-
dent Of instruction, in an earnest ad-
dress, and inspired by their two-day
visit at the agricultural college, the
superintendent left Manhattan deter
mined to bring about number of re-
forms in the declining district schools
Of the state.
kansas cannot be very proud OF
her rural schools" said Mr.. Fairchiid,
addressing the superintendent. "Or
course we have made excellent prog
ress by the introduction of agricul'
ture. domestic science and manual
training into these schools, but they
still are on a comparatively low plane.
Bear this in mind: 100000 Of the $751;
UUU SCHOOl III Ihlo oti'S 49,
being taught in rural school buildings.
And less than 25 per cent of that
number are completing the grades. l
think that's appalling. And the fact
that the district schools have declined
in the face of Unprecedented progress
in other institutions of learning show
that our real problem is in the coun'
try and that We must direct our at
tention to these schools with renewed
energy.
"The high schools of Kansas have
doubled in number in the last five
years. Other higher institutions or
learning have had wonderful growths.
And at the same time the attendance
In rural schools has steadily decreased
Country scholars go to town for bet
ter advantages. Miss Carney OF Hi
nois, has told you that Is the foremost
reason for the trend of farmers city
ward in that state. Nowhere in Amer
lea is there organized effort to improve
rural schools Philanthropists rush to
colleges and universities with their
money. With the exception OF the
general education board of New YORK
established by a Rockefeller fund
which maintains some rural inspectors
in the south, no philanthropist has
come to the aid of the district school.
1t seems to be the one branch that
has been allowed to go along without
notice or help.
What We propose to do is to make
the district school more efficient;
make 1t more interesting and attrac-
tive. We have discussed the advisa-
bility of a rural school inspector un-
der the direction of the state superin-
dent, and I think the idea an excel
lent one. This inspector, like those
maintained in the south by the gen.
eral education board, would visit coun-
try districts; talk to and interest the
country people in bettering their
schools. He would act as a missionary
of encouragement and help. We have
our high school inspectors; why not
have rural school inspectors?
But before we can make much prog
ress with the district schools we must
have more centralized organization of
them. The old district plan is out of
date. There are too many officials
giving too little time to the admins
tration of these schools. In Kansas
80 900 officials boss the $4,000 teachers
Fewer officials with more responsible
ity and the plan works very success
fully. OF course, legislation will be