Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1915-04-22
STATE EDUCATORS PLAN
RURAL SUMMER SCHOOLS
Department. Of Public Instruction De-
viscs New Scheme to Fight
Iliiteracy.
WILL OPEN TEN THIS YEAR
Schools VIII BE Established in Lo-
caliticS Standing Most in Need of
instruction, and VIII BE Open to
Adults as Well as Children.

SSummcr schools arc tn be established
ny the state Department of Public In
S'fuction in isolated sections OF the
state. This is the latest movement i'm
inc campaign against illiteracy. The
schools are designed primarily to reach
people who have heretofore had no cdu-
catlonal advantages. They will be open
10 adults as we'll as to children.
superintendent Stearnes said yester-
day that he has not sufficient funds at
nus disposal to answer the call of all
helEhhorhoods needing aid but that hc
Will be able to open ten or fifteen OF
'hc new schools this summer.
MI Stearncs has sent TO each of the
uivision superintendent OF the state a
letter outlining his plan and asking
thcir cooperation and advice. In this
circular he makes il plain that he has
no money to spare, and that the efforts
OF the department must, therefore, he
coniincd to tho localities most in need
for TINS reason he asks full data as to
educational conditions in communities
Whcrc summer schools arc desired and
especially requests information as to
the number of children without school
advantages and the percentage of adult
illiteratcs.
STATE INSPECTORS WILL
ADVISE LOCAL. OFFICIALS
state Inspectors John II. Terrell and
j. H. Bnford will represent the de-
partment i'm this work-will advise the
school officials and teachers and n,r-
sonally inspect these schools.
II firmly believe" saws Mr. Stc,rros
In his letter to the division superintend
ents, that the establishment of such
schools in remote and educationally
destitute sections of the state shonId
be distinct feature of our campaign
against illitcracy in Virginia. The fol-
lowing principles should characterize
oF
schools:
T. Their success will depend largely
unon the division superintendent and
local trustees, who must select tho
places for the schools. provide a suit
apie schooihousc or tent with adequate
equipment. and make the necessary ar
engagements for boarding and lodging
the teachers
= would suggest that Won do not
recommend that one of these schools be
located where a school was maintained
rs long as three months during the
present session.
3. In all cases the schools should he
open to the adults Of the community ae
well as the children
EACH SCHOOL WILL
HAVE TWO TEACHERS
=. suggest that each school h.
provided with two teachers-one n ma
tive, familiar with local conditions. tbe
other an experienced and professionally
trained teacher, who may be selected
IRON outside tho local community.
.. The salaries OF tho teachers will
be paid by the department.. and the
school term will be determined bv local
conditions. In no case, however, will
1t exceed ten weeks"
The summer schools will he conduct
"a on the plan of the widely known
irish Creek School in Rockbridre
county which has been in successful
operation Tor the last three summers
and which has attracted much ,ttnn,ion
among educators. 1t is believed ,bat
they Will reach hundreds OF people who
are now cropping in the darkness of ig
norance, and that their establishment
ioretclls rapid decrease in the number
OF Nirginia's illiterates"