The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1915-11-11
FOR RURAL TEACHERS.
Esta blishment Of National Reading Club
Suggested.

| Purpose-Th The greatness and future 81
the 50O00O00 men, women and children
who live in the open country and in
rural villages must have more adequate
opportunity for wholesome and remu-
, neratiye living than heretofore. This
calls for leadership which can come TO
rural communities only through the high
est degree of education OF cultural and
practical kind Much of this must come
about BY the cooperation OF nation,
state and local community through all
the different agencies now available. The
most important and indispensable agent
! in the accomplishment of this task must
be the rural teacher.
The vital factor in education is the
teacher. Without the well educated,
broad minded, sympathetic teacher any
system of education can only be a life
less mechanism. Therefore, we must look
| to the country teachers and their prep
aration and see to il that they shall be
men and women OF the best native abll-
lity, the most thorough education, and
the highest degree of professional knowI-
edge and skill.
1t is to assist in finding and equipping
such educators that the United States
bureau of education, with the assistance
OF committee OF the Association OF
State Supcrintendsnts has recently ar
ranged the first Rural Teachers Reading
circle. open to teachers of every state
under such rules as are set forth in this
letter.
Oreanization-The plan for organizing
the National Rural Teachers Reading
circle were first preached at the Ma
fional Education association meeting at
st. Paul, Mimi, In 1914. The final plans
which have been worked out by tie bu-
reau of education In cooperation with
an advisory committee of state supcrin-
tendents Is now ready 10 put into opera
ton, and teachers throughout the coun-
try may register at any time. Thirty
states have already joined the circle aud.
no doubt, this number win be largely in
creased in a short time. Only tearhers
residing within those states which have
expressed desire 20 cooperate in this
work win be permitted 20 join.
Cost-The reading circle work viii be
without cost 60 the members aside from
procuring the necessary books which
may be furnished from the publishers
AZ regular retail rates, or they may be
secured through local libraries or in 9TH
or ways. There il no restriction as TO
membership, although u i highly desir-
able that applicants have a liberal ac-
quaintance with the best literary works,
past and present
study Course for the Years lalS.ls--
The books 20 BE- read are classified un-
der FIVE heads a. non professional books
Of cultural value. educational classics.
general principles and methods Of eln-
cation. rural education, and rural life
problems.
The work Il Intended a. a twoyssr
reading course. although Il may be CON-
nlefed hv the industrious Teacher IN
shorfrr time. To those Who give s-sis-
factory evidence IF having read iutelli-
rentiy not lees than i've books from
fne general culture lisf and three books
from each ~ tho other four lisfs-l7
hnsk, n nfi-wifhin The two years ~
tle time 81 registering VII - awarded
! National Rural Tcaehcrs' Reading err
eis csrfiaeate. signed ~ tbe United
state essnnaissiouer 81 eiueafign and TIE
riief aehonl oaseinl Of she state IN which
NE renasr live q the time ~hen re
cDufps u cunrleted.
Cs.~ra4rnn1rnae 1stnsllnrs interested IN
49, reaainr fsfxls wurk sbpuld ~r1fs fer
r,r.a.inrs rsrIslsafien hianks. -. - TIE
rnuuis.ianer - rdueai I'm. TAepartr.rnt
1T IN Intsfiar. Washington, 2. G.