The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1917-07-11
Rural School Education


Tremendous strides have been made by the
rural schools Of the United States in the last dec
ade, but the system is still far from ideal. The
organization Of the city schools is far in advance
of the rural system, the reason, of course, being
obvious. Transportation accommodations and
Capitalization of population give the city school
an advantage in its development with which the
rural school cannot compete.
The federal government today is trying to
remedy some of the most palpable weaknesses Of
the country schools. It is pleading with rural
districts and small towns to employ teachers at
such high salaries that they are willing to stay.
It is asking school superintendent to try to get
away from engaging young girls who will teach
only year or two and then forsake the calling
for matrimony.
Adelaide Steele Baylor, of Indianapolis, state
supervisor of household arts, speaking before the
National Educational Association, rightly says
that the rural school system is the strength of the
nation.
Rural education means the rural school The influ
type school that educates more than fifty
cent of the youth nation be lightly est
mated point of numbers trained under its direction
the rural school is the greatest educational force IN TINS
Rightly organized and conducted possibilities are
tremendous The rural furnishes opportunity to
the truly great her ideas untrammeled
by the foraltes and red tape the city organization
The rural called upon to compete with fewer
outside attractions and interests
I'm 1t peculiar freshness and enthusiasm are posi-
ble because the of many things that in the
city school spent themselves offers opportunity
individual and Independent growth that will produce
the leadership needed in great nation like America
ut il the institution in rural life that furnishes
interest for all the people 1t becomes the social
the adult life we'll the youth and its in
fuence extends to the home and community life with
peculiar and unmistakable significance
The rural school educates the children OF the food
producing centers of the nation its curriculum now in
cudes study agriculture and its environment al
lows the practical applications Of the principles OF this
subject
no small degree upon the efficient production of food
be indispensable factors in the nations strength
1.-THE opportunity then of rural education to become
wholesome the strength of nation like the
United unparalleled but this only be real
lied under certain conditions. truth to which we
people, are just awakening.
THE rural school needs better buildings better
trained teachers with larger experience better libraries
and equipment better of study and super
vision The great handicap to the accomplishment OF
these things is lack of money.
"Ths country is rich and if localities too to
rural schools then the state ana nation
must the for the rural school ee
men in the strength of the nation demands these i'm
provements and demands them quickly
III America expects to continue her leadership
among nations Of the world her rural schools. is
great factor in bringing this about, must be recog
nized"