The Lubbock avalanche. (Lubbock, Tex.) 1909-1922, 1919-07-17

something like 10 minutes. Allowing
the same amount Of time TO each
Grade the eighth and ninth grades
would have some eighteen minutes
for each recitation. In standard high
schools recitation periods. are forty
or fifty minutes long.
This so-called high school work in
the country under existing conditions
is nothing more than farce, hoi-
low mockery of something desired,
but not to be had There is de
mand for such work, however, and
the teachers are not 20 be censured
for attempting to offer IT, Many de-
serving and ambitious young people
are unable for various reasons, to at
tend a standard high school, but IN
obedience to that instructive longing
for knowledge, to satisfy that natural
desire 10 get acquainted with the
wonderful fact and fiction in the
wide. wide world " they enter school.
hoping that somehow, some day
way will be opened for them TO real
ize those dreams and worthy aspira-
tions of childhood. They have faith
that they may yet have that career
a faith too often subdued in ambitious
children This spirit of ambitious,
hopeful youth is an ausplcious sign
and il should be made the most Of by
providing the proper school facilities
so that they may achieve all worthy
ambitions.
In standard high schools the teach
ers are prepared TO teach some par
ticular subject, such as English, his
tory or science. In the country
schools they have to teach such a va
riety of subjects Of both elementary
and high school grade. that special
preparation in any line is impractical
Bile. In standard high schools there rs
equipment to aid in illustrating, dem
onstrating or in experimenting. For
the history classes there are historical
charts and ALIASES suited to the per-
iod studied, and ample facilities for
the special study of some particular
character. event, or movement. For
the study Of science there are labora-
tories where the phenomena Of nature
may be observed and their applica-
ton 10 beneficent uses discovered. A
place where one may get great truths
at first hand and where the book IS
the guide and not the goal.
In the country there is no equip
ment and science loses much of its
charm and inspiration.
In the standard high school there is
a long recitation period, plenty OF
time 10 dismiss other matters from
mind and TO focus attention upon the
subject in hand. In the country
school the recitation is too short. The
teachers mind is not acrobatic. An
entirely different subject has just
been under consideration. Another
quite different one is to follow in less
than fifteen minutes. The recitation
loses its poise. The subject is not
and cannot be considered deliberately
There is a rush Of questions hast','
framed and more or less related to
the subject. the pupil tries 70 solve
the teachers meaning, makes a few
ncoherent replies. pertinent or not
and there the recitation ends Not
enough time is there even 10 make O
definite assignment Of further work
Something 90 attempted, but feebly
done. The teachers are not 10 blame
the children are not 70 blame These
country schools are at fault. The,
fail. have failed. and until radical
changes are made they will continue
to fail to perform the task of pro
perly educating the sturdy and wor
thy sons and daughters Of country
people.
You men of the country need 10
see that the schools upon which you
are depending to give your children a
good education are incapable Of do.
ing so. And the longer you depend
Al ......a.. - ....n - g..