The Daily Ardmoreite. [volume] (Ardmore, Okla.) 1893-current, 1915-08-15
PA|CNFO
THRIFT 7 IN THE
STATE SCHOOLS
STATE SUPERINTENDENT OUT
LINES HIS PLANS-SuGGESTS
TEACHERS INSTRUCT IN VAL.
UEs AND USE OF MONEY.

Oklahoma City, Okla, Aug. a.
State Superintendent r. II. Wilson has
returned from a two weeks vacation
spent in his old home in Kentucky.
While there he made a number of ad-
dresses to pupils of the public schools
and attended the commencement eXer-
cises at the high school of Scottsville
in Allen County. This was the first
graduating class of any high school in
the county, although the hundredth
anniversary of the organization CT
the county was being celebrated at
the time.
Mr.. Wilson explained that the fact
that no high school class had been
graduated in that county for 100 years
was no particular reflection on the
educational advantages of the county
for the reason that the people have
been patronizing academies and pri
vate schools and there has been lit
tie interest in public schools until re-
Gently.
Studies Moonlight Schools
While he was away, Mr.. Wilson
studied the work that is being done
in Kentucky in an effort to eliminate
illiteracy among the adults as well as
the children. The effort that is be-
ing made in Oklahoma to establish
what are called moonlight schools for
adult illiterates is copied after the
work that is being done in Kentucky
One of the innovations in the pub
lie schools of Oklahoma that is being
attempted this season by Superin-
tendent Wilson, is the teaching OF
thrift. In this the superintendent is
following the suggestion made by Gov
ernor Williams in his campaign Of
last summer, in which the idea of
thrift and economy, coupled with eff
ficiency. was elaborated upon on fire.
quent occasions. Governor Williams
claims TO be the discoverer of the is
sue for thrift in Oklahoma, but 1t is
assumed that he will be glad to see
his discovery and theory outlined and
advocated by superintendent Wilson
in an effort to bring into the minds
of the school children the ideas of eff
fciency and preparedness that are i'm
ported in the propaganda for thrift.
Wilson Outlines Work.
An outline of the work as suggested
by Mr.. Wilson has been prepared
by him as follows:
That the pupils in our public schols
may be taught the value and proper
use of money and the ways Of earning
money, all teachers are urged to or
ganize classes in thrift. These classes
should be composed Of all pupils old
enough to earn money or to compre-
hend the instructions of the teacher.
1t is Just as vital that the schools
teach the proper use of money, as for
them to prepare pupils for trades or
professions for the purpose of earn
ing money That they may know its
value, boys and girls should be taught
to earn money. For the same reason,
they should be taught how to use
money.
The so-called vocational subjects
have been introduced into our schools
for the purpose of preparing pupils
to earn money after they leave school,
This course in thrift is designed to
teach pupils to conserve and use
money. To spend money wisely is
much more important than to earn it
easily. These virtues are correlative.
There is as much mental discipline
in planning and executing plans for
earning money as there is in manual
training. The reaction on character
formation is also of as great, if not
greater, importance.
New Field of Opportunity
Teachers. the introduction of this
course in thrift opens a new field of
opportunity. No other state has
adopted or suggested a similar course.
The course was not offered in your
district last year. The idea is new
to your pupils, your patrons and your
self. Their interest will be excited
at once. BY carefully planning your
work this interest can be transformed
into enthusiasm.
The progressive and thrifty men
and women in the district will be glad
to help in this work. BY all means
their interest should be enlisted.
Where thought advisable, this work