The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1917-08-05

| ing the best possible education for
the poorest as well as the richest
child in the commonwealth The
been the guiding principle OF the
state administrative forces for over
a decade. 1t was felt by these Of
ficials that no decisive progress in
school work could be accomplished
without the moral and financial sup
port of the people at large. Hence
every legitimate means was used to
concentrate public attention upon the
! inestimable value of education. both
from a moral and material point OF
view.
Funds Used to Best Advantage.
AS the best means of accomplish
ing this end the limited funds avail
able were used to the best possible
advantage. particularly in the direc-
ton of establishing as many first
class schools in each community az
the funds would permit 1t was felt
that when the benefits of these
schools became apparent the people
would become increasingly anxious
for their further growth, and would
never rest until Virginia children had
advantages equal to the best in the
land. This prophetic hope has been
amply justified.
CHANGING back over the brief span
OF a few years one finds the follow
ing mile stones of splendid progress
progress made possible by the
broad vision and Intelligent labors OF
large body of Virginia educators;
Enrolment has increased from
369,331 to 4s1.S4s-33 per cent
Average attendance has increased
from 222, to 33S.s50--52 per
cent
High schools have increased from
2lS to 593-172 per cent.
Schools having libraries have in
creased from 1854 to 5.307-400 per
cent
Schools having sanitary outhouses
have increased from 900 to 6.37S-
500 per cent
School leagues have increased
FROM ass TO 4 50--3s3 per cent,
Visits of division superintendent
have increased from 24.204 to ST.
Ts3-1f4 per cent
Annual school revenue has in
creased from s3.47304S4 to sT,112.-
6ss.00-l22 per cent.
Annual amount paid teachers has
increased from s2.l4s.ss4Tl to s4.-
474 7S-l01 per cent
Average annual salary of teachers
so per cent.
Value of school property has in
creased from s5.71S.170.00 to $l6.-
ss4,359 .0o-lsS per cent
White illiteracy between ten and
twenty years OF age has been re-
duced from 24,52A to e.ls3-about
one-third of what IL formerly was.
Colored illiteracy between ten and
twenty years of age has been reduc-
~
one-ha
How Results Were Achieved.
These splendid results have been
accomplished by the following adj
ministrative facilities which are pro-
nounced highly desirable by experts
| outside OF the state whose chief work
1t Is to make school surveys in keep
ing with modern thought and prog
ress:
l. An organized state department
Of education with authority to in
spect schools and suggest reforms
2. State inspectors with facilities
for reaching points Of special need
and ready means of promoting an
effective propaganda.
). State certihcation Of teachers
under system designed to maintain
proper professional standards and
elastic enough to appropriate every
GOOD suggestion without injustice to
those already certincated.
I. A state teachers association
organised on the same general plan
a. the great parliaments or con-
crosses of English-speaking dem
ocracies and strong enough to assem-
BILE ten great meetings during each
school year.
s. citixens' educational associa-
ton which IL rapidly reaching all of
the school communities OF the state.
g. A conference Of division super
antendents whose discussions and ell
bow-touching guarantee an effort to
carry out the educational program
In every division.