Evening journal., 1914-01-24
URGE REGULAR
ATTENDANCE
AT SCHOOLS
DR.. Wagner Lays Down Sug-
eeStiOnS to Teachers
in Bulletin
AVERAGE In RURAL
SCHOOLS ONLY HALF

Many valuable points for the up
lift of the public schools OF the State
are contained in a bulletin just is
sued by Commissioner OF Education
Charles A. Wagner. In the course of
the bulletin Or. Wagner says
THE summary of last years 1872
1879 school attendance shows that
boys and girls in the rural schools at
tended on the average from 10 TO 80
days each. although the schools were
open more than 140 days. In the
Town schools. exclusive of Whining
ton, the average attendance is about
1856 days each, although the schools
were open more than 1S0 days This
moor attendance is the most damaging
feature of the entire school situation.
&c means lessons half learned, lack OF
interest in the work and in the school,
many parts of branches not studied at
all, and a feeling. more hurtful than
ali else. that being present or absent
does not natter this for the chill
dren For the teacher IL means poor
and unsatisfactory progress OF the
classes and wholesale disbursement
FOR the entire school.
"The school authorities of the
state should at once try to make this
attendance more regular and tor a
longer period. especially for the old
r. children. Every school official
las a moral responsibility to try to
get this attendance.
Therefore. any or all of the fol-
owing means should be used to inn
press the child with the Importance
IF attendance, both before any alb
,ence occurs or after it has occurred.
II. The teacher should manifest
regret Tor the absence. to the child
md the school, and state the wish
that it may not occur again, or only
when absolutely necessary, as in
.ase OF illness.
-. The teacher should tell the
HID about what he has missed by
being absent. while at the same time
wing to make lessons so interesting
hat children will feel they are los.
If they miss a lesson.
g. The teacher should appeal to
parents to make every effort
d fhe child to school regularly
"a to keep the child from thinking
her that attendance is not i'm
prtant.' or what 1 do not learn to-
f;N shall learn TO morrow.
"! The teacher should appeal TO the
.onty superintendent and to the COM
l-situcrs or TO any influential citizen
% -peak TO Indifferent children or par.
ms. Or both about the Importance and
ic,essity of school attendance.
~ The teacher should carefully note
ser average and percentage of attend
,uce. and ii there is a decline, learn and
'Otc the reason il there be one. II tho
ea-on is a removable one, tho teacher
.aruld become active ami earnest IN re-
iioNiug the reason.
~6 The county superintendent should
.arriull note the attcuSance VIXEN Wis
Smut schools, commend the teachers
here IL t. good and inquire the rea
SOILS where it is not good. Then. through
efforts with pupils, parents. teachers
.,mn,iSsioners. as opportunity ma,
,arr eudeavor to get the particular ant
Individual eases OF poor attendance i'm
nogcd by direct and conscious effort n
..,-r onSe to sense OF obligation.
-. The county superintendent
should both directly and indirectl,
hclp to create the feeling that, fol
tho school child, next to his duty t
obey s. his duty to be in school
inst AIS it is the duty of the employ
90 DE al his work promptly an'
punctually every day.
"S When each of thees influence
thoroughly convinced of the import
lncc Of full and regular attendance
md persuaded that the effort to sc
il al once is worth while even if thi
was tried before, when each and al
nf thces thus comb'nd and co-operat
for better attendance. VIC shall b
sure TO spread our own earnest belle
iu It's value. and secure most graft
fring improvements.
prom one high in official authorit
has come the suggestion that schoo
children should be taught how t
guar6 against some of the commone
dangers which they encounter on tn
road to and from school,"