The Democratic banner. (Mt. Vernon, Ohio) 1898-192?, 1914-05-15
SCHOOL
Attendance Is Increased By
Good Roads
As Shown From Statistics In
Many Places

Washington, May 14-Ofhcisls of the
department of agriculture point out
that the attendance at public schools
Sn country districts is much greater in
eegions where the roads are improved
than in regions where this improve
ment has not taken place, and it is
.put forward as one of the numerous
arguments in favor of good roads,
In five eastern and western states,
which have a large mileage of i'm
proved roads, the average attendance
of enrolled pupils in 190809 was so per
scent, while in four southern states and
zone northwestern state which have un-
favorable roads, the average attend
sance for the same year was Ga per
~cent
In the states first referred TO 80 per
cent of the roads have been improved,
while in the latter group of states
there are only one and a half per cent
'-of roads improved.
That improved roads would benefit
the American country school system
there is no doubt in the minds Of gov
ernment authorities. Such roads, 1t is
pointed out, would make it possible to
consolidate or centraliZe the schools
and to establish graded schools in the
rural districts. Such schools centrally
located will accommodate all of the
->children within radius of from four
to iye miles, 1t is said.
In numerous communities having
the advantage of improved roads, COM
modious buildings have been provided,
more competent teachers have been
employed, and modern facilities for
teaching have been supplied at mini
mum cost. For instance, since the i'm
provement of the main highways in
Durham county, North Carolina, it Is
said, the number of school houses has
been reduced from IS to 40, of which II
are graded and have two or more
rooms and employ two or more teach
ers each.
There are at the present about 1000
consolidated rural schools in the Unit
ed States. II appears that Massachu-
setts, Ohio and Indiana have made the
greaest progress along these lines, and
IL is called significant that in these
states about one-third of the roads
have been improved.
Statistics gathered by the depart.
ment of agriculture indicate that there
was expended in 1899, in Massachu.
sets, S22,116 for conveying pupils 10
the consolidated schools, but that in
1903 the amount thus expended had in
creased to $292,213 In Indiana the ex
penditure for this purpose, in 1904
amounted TO $4,000, while in 1908
$290,000 was reported.
This expenditure reflects. in gen
eral way, it is said, the extent and pro
gress of this new educational move
ment.
II is stated that this is not an add
.tional burden, as the expenditure thu,
incurred is saved in other directions
tSANN ~ ~ NiN uNII'dHt III llt
OF schools and economy in their opera
ition.
In Massachusetts, Indiana, Ohio anl
other states the one.room, one-teachel
Sschools are being replaced by centra
schoolhouses, with half dozen room,
and as many teachrs Wagons ar,
sent out every day TO gather up tn,
children and TO take them home again
All Of the children within a radius o
several miles are thus provided will
the most modern school facilities. II
some of these schools courses In man
ual training, agriculture and hon,
economics have been introduced. sci
entihc apparatus utilized ad teacher
having special publications and train
ing employed.