The weekly times-record. (Valley City, N.D.) 1912-1922, 1913-07-17


proved organization, that is, consolida.
ton, and (2) better attendance, which
includes longer terms. These call for
campaign Of investigation, publicity
and education to furnish new ideas
and to create higher ideals among the
rural population concerning their
schools. To hasten and extend this
campaign there ought to be greater
cooperation among school officials OF
at least adjoining states. For instance,
it is very difficult indeed for school Of
ficials in North Dakota to contend for
a nine month term with a strict en-.
forcement Of a compulsory attendance
law, If over in Minnesota little or
nothing Is being done In this matter,
or If the reverse be true. It requires
united action of a group of adjoining
states and that supplemented by all
the states, in order to carry on this
campaign to successful issue. Here
is a golden opportunity for some Edu'
cational Foundation or board or patrto'
tic-minded millionaire to render a
most valuable service to his country
men by furnishing the necessary
funds to carry on this campaign in a
way not now possible.
wish now to conclude with a pic
ture Of the new rural school, that al
ready exists in some states, which
fact gives US faith to believe. hope to
endure and courage to contend that
this school shall finally be established
everywhere in the open country. This
school is housed in commodius build
ing that is modern in all It's appoint
ments. 1t is equipped with splendid
library and laboratory facilities. It is
surrounded with beautiful campus
and we'll planned experimental fields
1t stands there a thing of joy, for it Is
a thing of beauty. An itself, it beck
ons and commands the youth of the
community to enter its portals. The
teachers are we'll trained, we'll paid
and well content. There is home
upon the grounds for the principal
and his family, and for the teachers
also. All available boys and girls at
tend regularly nine months, and they
complete the eighth grade and high
school with the same degree of regu
larity and efficiency that they do In
the best town school. This school Is
more than a civil.social center, for II
is an educational center in the best
sense of that term. For here come
young and old to consult with the in
structors in agriculture, mechanic and
household arts, literature, hygiene and
other subjects, to read in its splendid
library, to see good works of art, te
listen to inspiring lectures, to take
part in literary and athletic exercises
to learn best how to grow old anc
young in wise way.
This. then, is the new rural schoo
that provides educational privileges
as good as those found in the towr
school; for this is the graded consoli
dated school where the term Is nine
months and where all available pupils
attend every day until they complete
at least the eighth grade or attain the
sixteenth year. Let US bid 1t vel
come. Let US make it easy for It tt
grow and multiply. Let us be exceed
ing glad that it is coming. Lei
country school teacher, college and
normal school professor, university
president and other school officials
and all public spirited citizens joir
forces to the end and for the purpose
that there shall soon be within the age
limit, at least a common school d.
ploma for every country girl and ev
cry country boy in the Republic, thai
the new rural school shall soon come
in all its fullness in order that the
country girl and the country boy shall
be we'll trained in the best way fol
the exacting duties Of American cit
izenship that they may bear we'll II
every conflict that proudest of al
titles-American Citizen.
Park Region Luther College, Fergus