The evening times. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1906-1914, 1913-11-28
M|NNESOTAN IN
PLEA FOR CHANGE
Declares Greater Benefits
Will Accrue to Country
Educational System.
800 DIRECTORS
IN ATTENDANCE
Various Features Of Rural Work Con-
Observation-Disclosures Development
Idea Approved by speakers-Niac-
donald Leads Round Table Talk.

Consolidation Of rural schools was
the keynote of the annual convention
of school officers of Grand Forks
held at the high school In
this city today.
Over 800 of the school officers Of
the county were present. as we'll az
a number of other prominent educa-
tors from Minnesota and North Da-
kota.
The meeting was held in the as
sembly room of the high school build
ing. which was crowded with the
The chief features of the morning
and afternoon sessions were the ad-
dresses of e. NJ. Phillips rural school
of Minnesota. His Sec
ond address was a continuation Of his
speech, both being devoted
to the disadvantages of the rural
school and the superiority of the con-
solidated institution.
Advantage Over Ordinary School.
The first disadvantage Of the or
dinary rural school. according to Mr..
Phillips. was the fact that as a gen.
eral rule only one teacher could bo
employed for the entire school.
He pointed out that this had ths
effect Of curtailing the time for reci-
tations. which were the most valua,
Bile part Of school training. On ac-
count of this lack of time. the more
backward pupils receive less attention
from the teacher.
He also declared that few teachers
were equally efficient with children
of different ages. AS a general rule
he said that a really good teacher
could only get the best results frons
pupils Of one age, and that in this
way the great disparity between the
ages, Of the classes taught by the
rural school teachers initiated strong
~ against efficienry.,
!, Tahius pp tho tassaterr Of buildings,
etc, Mr.. Phillips pointed otit that the
equipment Of the rural school was
often hopelessly inadequate from a
point Of view
Mr.. Phillips declared that a school
building should be equipped with a
water system for both drinking and
purposes; a proper venti-
lating system, and competent jani-
tor to look after the building and
equipment.
Most of these factors he pointed out
We're generally impossible in a rural
school.
Objections Done Away With.
Turning for contrast to the con-
that most Of these objections to the
rural school were obviated by the
system. He said that
in consolidated school It was possi-
Die to have a proper plant, an ade-
quate teaching force. and in every
way to raise the work Of the school
to q high point of efficiency.
Of the consolidated school It wae pos
sible to allow pupils living in the
country to go through the high echool
without leaving their homes, which
was frequently impossible under the
present system. He said that this
was one Of the strongest Arguments
The session this morning was
opened with a violin solo BY Prof.
J. A. Buchholz Of Wesley COLLEGE. l..
A. Warnken of Emerado, president
Of the convention then made brief
address in which he laid stress on
the necessity of the school onlcers
more ama ne1p,s eaisnt wcSRins scen,s together for
An address was also Riven by Hans
Anderson. county auditor, and q vocal
solo by Mrs. Maud Begg Grifhth.
At the meeting which opened
this afternoon, addresses were
made by Prot. q. w. Rand
ie" I OF the state agricultural college.
Grand Forks County Agricultural 30 10.
ciety, o. d. Center Of the Better
Farming association, and Dr. !. Gras-
sick of this city.
Prof. Randlett laid great stress on
the Importance of agricultural train
ing such as is now being given in
many Of the schools of the county,
He declared that its extension and
increased efficiency were of the sreat
est Importance to the schools ana to
the state and county as a whole.
Urge Agricultural Extension.
Mr.. Center and MIR. Goodman aleo
urged the extension of the azricul-
tural work and laid stress on the
high position already taken by the
county along this line
DR.. Grassick's address was devoted
to school sanitation, and called atten-
tion to the importance Of work alonx
this line, as we'll as of the poor sani-
tary conditions which frequently ex.
listed in school buildings.
The meeting will be concluded late
this afternoon by round table dis
cussion conducted by N. G Macdon-
aid, rural school commissioner Of this
state. and an address by Prof. J. M.
Gillette OF the state university.
Mr.. Macdonald is one Of the
advocates Of consolidated
schools in the state and his views at
the meeting this afternoon are ex.
pected to be Of great interest.