The Daily Ardmoreite. [volume] (Ardmore, Okla.) 1893-current, 1915-10-29

Il IL nj u IL II i T.
has actuated legislatures to establish
multiplicity of state educational in
stitutions. The bulletin does not
refer to this condition, but the figures
reflect it. A comparison is made of
the normal schools of Oklahoma,
Kansas and Texas. There are six in
Oklahoma, three in Kansas and five
in Texas. Texas is much more eX-
tensiye in area and population. The
six normal schools in Oklahoma show
enrolment Of 1855 at a per capita eX-
pense of $52.31; the five in Texas
show enrolment of I,5OS at per
capita expense of 1887; the three
in Kansas have enrolled 4,2O5 at a
per capita cost Of $3.50.
In addition to the six normal schools
of Oklahoma, there are the state uni
versity, two preparatory schools, one
school for girls, one agricultural and
mechanical school .and six secondary
state schools of agriculture. Each of
rrTcST 5C-7UU--s rs TTr It 7vC-Trr7 Of tire
state apart from each of the others
They constitute the educational end
of an institutional combination that
has generally controlled the appro-
priation activities of the legislature
Some of these schools are less potent
educationally than some of the high
schools Of the larger cities of the
state. Some Of them are educational
institutions of the best character.
Murray Tells Of Cadets.
The state board of education in
directing its efforts to betterment of
the rural schools probably sees the
situation as it is observed by Con
gressman w. II. Murray of this state
who generally, when opportunity af-
fords, tells the lawmakers and teach
ers and the people generally of his
discOuraging experience in securing
boys for appointment to West Point
and Annapolis who can pass the eX
animation for entrance. He says they
all pass the physical examiners, but
most Of them fail to meet the educa-
tional test. He tells the people that
there is lack OF thoroughness in the
schooling that is afforded in Oklaho-
ma schools. While Mr.. Murrays dis
trict is largely rural, his experience
and observations leads him to the
belief that the defect generally in
the educational system of Oklahoma
and of other states is in its want Of
He has many exam
pies to prove his contention.
Plans Are Set Forth.
This bulletin sets forth the plans
that have been matured by the educa
tional influences Of the state to i'm
prove the rural schools as follows:
In order to stimulate and assist
the voluntary commission composed
of one normal school, this commits
sion is representative from each o.
the six normal schools. This COM
is known as the Rural School
commission and it has
for its purpose the organization Of
all county superintendents and rural
school teachers into a league pledged
to the work of developing rural COM
munities as to schools, good roads
and better farming conditions. This
proposes to encourage the
organization of evening schools to
assist those who have not been for
tunate enough to have the opportun-
ity of securing a common school edu-
cation earlier in life, as well as any
students in the community who wish
to take additional work by thus ap-
plying themselves. In these evening
schools, it is planned to have dis
cussed the subjects of stock raising,
domestic science, good roads and
THRIFT, as well as to work out some
of the principles of reading, writing,
spelling and arithmetic, and such 9th
er subjects as those interested may
desire to take up. 1t is hoped that in
all of these schools good working
libraries will be established for the