Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1913-01-10
UNITED STATES BUREAU OF EDu.
CATION HELPS TO ENcouR-
AGE SYSTEM.
SCHOOL CREDITS FOR
INDUSTRIAL WORK
Household Duties, Labor About Home,
Sanitary and cleanly Methods Of
Living Add to chi,d's Credits = Re-
wards Given to industrious Children
Makes Efficient Workers.
Especial correspondence

Especial Correspondence
Washington, Jan. 10.-A remarkable
plan for bringing school and home clos
er together is described by State SUI
perintendeN of Public Instruction L. r.
Alderman, Of Oregon. The basis of the
plan is giving school credit for In
oustrial work. The United States bu-
reau Of education thinks the plan Of
sufficient importance that it is send
ms bulletin describing the system to
teachers who apply
Building frees milking COW: clean
ing the barn: splitting and carrying in
wood: turning cream separator; clean
ing house; gathering eggs: feeding
farm animals: churning butter; pre-
pairing breakfast: sweeping and scrub
cling floors, busting furniture; making
beds: sewing. washing and ironing the
childs own clothes: bathing; arriving
at school with clean hands auc face
and with hair combed: practtcing
music lesson: going to bed by o'clock
every night: bathing and dressing the
baby: sleeping with window boards In
bedroom: these are few of the dut-
les for which tine teacher at Spring
Valley. Ore. allows credit in connec-
ton with regular school work
Rewards For Credit Marks.
The work is definitely measured and
allowed for The child desiring credit
for home tasks brings to school slip
signed by the parent testifying to what
has been done 10 per cent is added to
the g: examination results OF all
pupils Except eighth graders) who en-
On <I,1 ~,1I,,
test to see which can obtain the most
of such credits certain number Of
accumulated credits entities the pupil
10 holiday. at the discretion OF the
teacher: and in this one school. at least.
cash rewards are given to pupils max
ing the best record in accredited home
tasks
The experiment, was so successful In
Spring Valley that it attracted the at
tention of the county superintendent
of the state who this year made spe-
cia! trip in a body to observe the re-
suits OF the home-credit plan In this
school ard then advocated the idea
everywhere. Already schools IN other
localities have tried the plan with
success modifying the details In ac-
cordance with local needs. but always
retaining the central principle OF nome
ard school cooperation.
Good Effect on Home Life.
Observers Of the work that is done IN
Oregon agree that the effect both OH
school and home has been unfaiilngiv
good. The children take more pride
in their homes give eager assistance IN
the household TO their frequently over
worked mothers live cleaner, healthier
lives than before: yet they by no means
neglect their school work in their
awakened zeal for home interests. In
deed. the evidence seems to be that the
habits of industry and cleanliness thus
encouraged in respect to duties In the
home are not only reflected in the
bride they take in sanitary school sur
ronndings. but also in increased abii-
nv IN .studies. greater willingness to
do the lessons. and a higher degree OF
socura cy In all the activities both OF
home and school.
Willing and Efficient Workers. :,
The basic principle behind the WORK
of DR.. Alderman and his associates Is
that education should make US more
Wiling and efficient workers. Every
person has some home duties. cnores'
and the like. Under the proper encour .
agement and direction the boys ana
girls who are in school can be taugnt
tn do these things well and tnor.
ouyhlv. The more they do. well ano
cheerfully, the better for them; they
vii, become finer and more useful men
and women. The giving OF school cred
&, for home work" says DR.. Alderman,
.1s like opening great reservoirs OF
mower which as yet have scarcely been
tapped" no.
tween home and school is one OF tne
pressing problems of the day. Accord
;nrry this oregon experiment, which
seeks to coordinate in the fullest sense
the interests Of school and LII life is fol-
lowed Ytih close attention by educat-
ors everywhere.
The United States bureau of educa'
,;on ha. several thousand copies OF the
oregon booklet or hand for free dis
trihution. They may be mad on re-
quest.