Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1914-04-14
CONSOLIDATION OF SCHOOLS

CONSOLIDATION OF SCHOOLS
Consolidation of country schools
agitated from time to time during the
last dozen years in Rock Island coun
ty. is no longer an experiment in In
diana. The 26th biennial school re
port of the state gives the following
data under this heading:
! Total number consolidated schools
I-5s9.
Number OF vehicles used in trans.
portation-197S.
Average daily cost per wagon
1924.
Number of pupils transported
25O54.
Number of counties in state-92.
Number of counties in which one
maintained-67.
County superintendent of Randolph
county reports:
Number of consolidated schools
IA.
Number OF pupils transported-955.
Average length of distance travel
ed-2.75 miles.
Average length of time required
IS minutes.
Percent OF graduates from eighth
grade in consolidated schools TO en-
ter high school. lowest, % per cent;
highest, 100 per cent.
From same area, prior to consolida-
ton. percentage of graduates from
eighth grade to enter high school.
lowest, p per cent; highest, 30 per
cent
High school privilege offered.
prior to consolidation in small town
in this area, six schools offering two
or three years. Following consolida-
ton, fourteen schools. maintaining
four year high school course.
The county superintendent OF Knox
county. Indiana, which began consoli-
dating schools nine years ago writes:
In 1905. consolidation was tried
/ say tried, because il was considered
an experiment then in this county.
Busseron township school trustees
were persuaded to transport the
pupils to a town graded school locat-
ed in the township. Some reluctantly
agreed. others were willing to try
the plan under the promise that the
district school should be restored the
next year should consolidation prove
Others coldly refused
the proposition and did all possible
to prevent other districts from trying
tue rev fad.
The instruction in the graded
scrOol was more efficient, the equip
ment better, competition greater
and consequently no school was ever
after being abandoned.
"Busseron township has completed
tie Hork so far as practicable. The
children are now conveyed in u mod !
err school wagons TO two central
schools. Other townships have made |
such progress that in September. 1912, /
4 splendid we'll equipped. up-to-date. |
new central building is i'm every town !
ship in the county. Music. drawing. |
agriculture. domestic science, man
j Al training are installed. hence an |
additional advantage over one-room /
district
There Is no comparison between |
The school spirit OF the large graded
school and the small. poorly attended |
district school. Work under well |
trained teachers. in a thoroughly or
zanized system. becomes a desire and /
pAfeA4AAf ~ PuPlAE nt NldSStS are I
arger. the daily attendance better.
here is the opportunity for COM
petition and rivalry which are splen-
lid stimulis to study and better work
Where patrons learn what is be-
ng done in the consolidated school.
-arely do they fail TO render loyal
support TO the plan"
The report sums up briefly thus
or Indiana farmers:
in brief. the consolidated school
,rings to the country community
hat thing. the absence OF which has
iriyen boys on OF the farm, namely.
well classified. well equipped. well
aught school. II is no longer neces.
airy for the wealthy farmer TO move
o town 10 educate his children. nor
3 Il necessary for him TO send his
hildren 10 boarding schools or to
ubject his boys and girls to the temp
atoms and moral dangers arising
hen children are away from their
arental care. IL enables all parents.
cll or poor. 10 furnish their children
first class school. and at the same
me keep them at home under their
Sn care. where they may be OF serv-
2 as well as receive that part of
Iucation which the home alone can
We :"