Webster City freeman. [volume] (Webster City, Hamilton County, Iowa) 1884-1946, 1916-08-15
SOMETHING new
IN RURAL SCHOOLS
Uniformity Of Textbooks in Schools
of Hamilton County Begin
ming Sept. 4th.


the rural schools of Hamilton coun-
ty, there will be a uniformity of
text books when school opens Sept.
4, according to statement made
this morning by County Superin-
tendent E. F. Snow.
1t has been urged by educators for
some years that it would be better
if all of the schools in a county
could use the same text books. Where
there is no uniformity people NOV
ing from one district to another find
that they often have to purchase
new books. This is not only an in
convenience but is heavy expense
as we'll. When uniformity exists
this inconvenience is removed and a
considerable sum of money is there
by saved. The uniformity of text
books in the rural schools Of this
county was brought about through
the efforts of County Superintendent
Snow. The manner of the adoption
is rather out of the ordinary. In
many counties the adoption is made
by the county. In this case, the
adoption is county adoption OF
townships. By that is meant, that
while all the books in the county
rural schools will be the same, yet
the adoption was made in each
township by the township. 1t can
thus be easily seen that the task ac-
complished by Mr.. Snow was by nc
means an easy one.
All the pupils Of rural schools are
requested to bring their old text
books to school on the morning OF
the first day. and have them ex-
changed for the new books which
have been adopted.
Now that all of the schools of the
county will be using the same books
the county superintendent has work
ed out a new course of study which
is now in the hands of the printer
and will be ready for distribution in
"a few weeks. The course is based on
the new texts and by following the
course as outlined by Mr.. Snow, all
the pupils in the county will be TAX.
ing the same work at approximately
the same time. By this system the
rural schools will have practically
the same uniformity of work as can
be carried out in city system. The
result will be much more thorough
work and it is expected that when
the pupils appear for the eighth
grade examinations hereafter there
will be larger percentage pass sue
|cessfully, if the course of study is
followed closely. A PERMANENTLY
une reporter has had the pleasure OF
looking over this course Of study
quite closely and it is excellent. In
fact, a number of other county SUI
perintendents have written Mr..
Snow asking for copy of the course
when it is printed.
Mr.. Snow also made the state
ment that there will be special
eighth grade examination Aug. "a
and 25 for those who failed in the
May examination. The examination
will be held at the court house, al
though arrangements have been made
whereby those who live in the vi
cinity of Stratford can go there for
the examination. Only those candi-
dates who failed in three or less sub
jects will be allowed to take this en-
animation. If they failed in more
than three subjects, they can not
take this special examination, but
will have to wait for the next regu-
lar one, which will probably be in
February.
According to law passed by the
legislature a few years ago, it is
necessary for rural pupils to have a
certificate from the county superin-
tendent before they can enter a city
high school and have their tuition
paid by their home district. Those
who have written one examination
and failed will have just this one
opportunity to write an examination
before the beginning of school, which
will be Sept. 4.
The ladies aid society Of the Chris
tian church will meet with Mrs. C.
l.. Poland, 1926 Third street, on
Wednesday afternoon at 2 o'clock.
Will Meet in Dubuque.