The evening times. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1906-1914, 1912-12-28
Better the Weaker Schools.

Better the Weaker schools.
Il am also of the opinion that Chap
ter 35 OF the Session Laws OF 1911
should be amended so as to make it
possible for the smaller and weaker
schools to meet the requirements. AS
our laws tand at the present time. it
is easier for a scho"! to secure class
ification as a third class high school
with a maximum state aid OF $500
than 1t is for a graded school to Sc
icure classification as a graded school
with a maximum state aid Of $3.50.
The provision of said chapter allow
ing only one school in each class to
be classified in each township should
be amended so as to make 1t possible
district to secure classification and
laid in the counties operating under
1.-The district system.
Emphasize Consolidation.
"Particular emphasis should be
placed on the consolidated school and
wherever conditions are such that
such a school can be successfully
maintained. the people should be en-
!couraged and assisted in establishing
and maintaining such a school by a
liberal grant Of money by the state.
Each consolidated school in a ru-
raj district should be aided annually
lin the sum of 5000.
NO school should receive aid in
lmore than one class. A school aided
las a graded school should not receive
aid as a consolidated school. ] trust
this important matter may have the
most serious consideration of the state
Legislature.
1.-THE forces that are bringing about
better results in the country districts
are meetings Of school officers, on
TESTS among pupils in the growing OF
corn, fruit, vegetables and poultry.
Several very successful county on
TESTS have bee held in this state dur
ling the past two years and with ex-
Icellent results. School boards in ru-
ral districts are beginning to realize
ey to provide a good school. The av-
erage term OF school is longer and
buildings are better equipped for
school purposes and more. liberal SAL
aries are paid teachers. These things
are producing results.
Number OF Schools.
The total number of rural or one
o schools in this state June 30.
1911. was i,732. The figures for 1912
at present writing are not available.
but will appear in this report and will
show a slight increase over 1911. In
these 4.732 schools the great major
ity Of the youth Of this state receive
their entire educational training. con
%sequently these schools should be
made the best possible. The average
term of school in the rural school is
about seven and one-half months. This
should be longer. Wages paid teach
ers have steadily increased. The av-
erage last year was $3.50. When we
remember that a teacher Is employed
for not more than eight or nine
months during the veal this makes a
very inadequate annual salary.
Irregular Attendance.
The most serious defect in our
schools at the present time is the ir-
regular attendance or the n%On.attend-
ance Of pupils in the rural schools
In the farming districts which include
our whole state. pupils are kept on,
Of schools to assist In the farm work,
To remedy this. l recommend II rigid
enforcement Of the compulsory at.
tendance law which can he brough,
about only by the appointment Of a
truant officer with ample powers. See
recommendation 4. below.
Improvement of our rural school.
will be brought about by a judiciout
state aid and consolidation Of small
schools where conditions warrant, and
public sentiment will sustain. The
divisions Of this report on state aid
and consolidation should be studied
tCareIully ny the scnOOl OfncerS or the
state.
Recommendations.
II beg leave to make the following
recommendations:
Amend state constitution so as t.
provide for the choosing of super.
iintendent Of public instruction and 81
perintendent Of rural schools in a non
partisan manner. The qualifications
duties. compensation and term Of Of
flee should be fixed by aw. The tern
Of office Of these officers should b.
at least -four years. This change can
not be brought about without amend
ment to sections SO and $50 Of oul
state constitution.
Liberal state aid to consolidate
schools located in rural districts.
1.-THE minimum term in any schoo
Of the state should be eight months
School boards should be empow
cred to appoint truant officers VIII
should be given authority to compe
attendance at school during all tn
time school IL in session, Of all pupil
of school age.
Section 1874 of the state constitu
ton should be amended so as to al
, low the state apportionment to b