The Chickasha daily express. (Chickasha, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1899-current, 1918-11-21

ing the nation, now that peace mas
come. is the problem of bettering
public education, according to lead
ing educators here
The public schools, as well as most
private schools and colleges, have
suffered severely ON account of the
war. Many American cities had just
formed plans involving large expendi-
lures for education, when the United
States entered the war and the plans
have been held in allegiance since.
Great school construction programs
were postponed, and will be resum-
ed with many difficulties.
IN New York City several million
dollars worth Of construction was
planned for the public schools and
the money has been available
throughout the war but the govern
ment would not permit labor ana
materials to be diverted from war
work Just as soon as the ban is
lifted the construction of new pub
lie schools will begin even thoug'i
materials still are very high, Thous-
ands of children are unable to attend
schools for a full day because of
lack of space
Similar conditions exist in most
other large cities. Surveys show
that the greatly under-constructed
public school plant is the rule in
American cities The fairly com
plete plant is a happy exception.
Other Problem Bigger.
But the physical plant is Il thing
that can be built up with u fair de
gree Of promptness If the people
want better facilities and are willing
to vote the money It is the prob
lem of training teachers and improv-
ing methods of instruction that is
worrying the educators most of all
Half the school children in the
United States are attending schools
taught by unframed or badly trained
teachers, according to a commission
Of educators headed by G. d. Strayer,
president, National Educational asso-
citation This commission has com
pleted study Of national education
nj conditions, and its conclusions are
none too flattering to Americans who
believe that the fate of free peop,c
rests largely upon the widespread
diffusion Of sound education among
the people.
Concerning .conditios in the rural
and village schools, the commission
says.
Teachers Lack Training.
TT is in the little schools Of the
villages and the rural districts that
the youngest most inexperienced, |
and least well trained teachers are
TO be found. Little schools they are
individually, but large in the aggre-
gate and big with national signif- |
canoe. for in them more than one
half Of the nations children are en-
rolled And of all phases OF the
teaching service that which is repre-, !
sented by these rural and village
schools Is the most exacting, the |
most arduous. and In many ways the |
most responsible While the teacher
of the graded city school instructs 4
single group Of children approximate
ly equal IN age and attainment. the
rural teacher must cover wide
range of subjects with many groups,
himself a score of times
each day to the varying levels Of
growth and attainment While the
city teacher is helped by expert prin-
ipals and supervisors, the rural
teacher is all but absolutely isolated
md must supply through his own
enthusiasm, and resource
'ulness many of the elements OF
good teaching that one working in
IN urban community gains through
contact with his fellows.
And yet the environment of these
mall and isolated schools is in many
Ways the best that could be provided
or the education Of boys and girls
The equipment of Libraries. shops
nd laboratories may be lacking, but
potential resources in abundance lie
'ound about What is needed is the
mind to interpret them and translate
heir lessons. But this is the hard
st kind OF teaching. far harder than
o assign lessons in books and hear
ecitations 1t is a kind of teaching
hat requires knowledge, insight and
skin to be obtained only through
/ broad and thorough training follow
I'd by a faithful and carefully super
yised apprenticeship.
Teacher Should Lead
Nor does this tell the who story
Of the possibilities aad difficulties OF
teaching. The right mae
or the right leader in the community,
lyro,-;rc So, roo,la itimatelv and /