The log cabin Democrat., 1920-12-27
GAINS BY PUBLIC SCHOOL OF STATE
BOND COMPLETES REPORT
Arkansas Advanced in Last Decade, But Extension Now Pressing
 Details of Work.

Intendent of public instruction, which has just been issued from the press
 of the Conway Printing Company. By
 way of comparison, the state had in 1910 a school population of 573.S42
 and in 1920, this had increased to
 675.009. School revenue in 1910
 amounted to $4.53O131 and in 1920,
 $9,358,314. The increase in financial
 support must be made still larger MT.
 Bond declares, and recommendations
 to the legislature call for remedial ac-
 tion so that common school education can keep pace with the states develop
 ment.
 Mr. Bonds report is divided into eight parts and comprises a volume of 154 pages fully covering the work of the state department of education for the biennial period ending June 30, 1920. Statistical reports in the volume are inclusive of school work from 1917 to 1920. The divisions of the report are letters of transmittal and recommendations work of the Arkansas illiteracy commissions; re- ports of field workers; vocational work; work of the Arkansas school commission; work of the school inn | provement associations; school build ] ing plans for rural schools, and sta l tistical tables
 Seven recommendations are made in the report. First of all, larger school revenues are imperative for the main ] tenance of the schools To this end. the department and the state commis- sion are initiating constitucional amendment which would remove the present limit of 12 mills set on school taXaton. Second. the illiteracy com mission is recommended for $50.000 to defray the expense of its work dur ing the ensuing two years Larger support is also suggested for teacher training schools, on account of the in- creasing demand for qualified teachers. A fourth recommendation is that the salaries of teachers must be increas- ed to hold them at their posts and to attract young men and young women to the profession. Consolidation of district schools with state aid is cov- cred in the fifth recommendation, which asks the legislature to set aside fund for this purpose to be used at the discretion of the department. Good roads will result in the consol- dation of many schools, it is pre- dicted, and the department should be placed in position to stimulate the work by means of financial aid
 Proper physical and health educa- tion should be introduced immediately into the Arkansas public schools, the report declares, and the sixth recom- mendation is that funds for the em- ploymant of workers in this line be placed at the disposal of the depart ment. Finally, larger appropriations for the support of the department are asked.
 Of the work of the illiteracy com mission, it was given a total of $3 326.- 40, including $1,170 by banks in Ar kansas, during the biennial period | During the war, activities of other organizations caused a practical sus- pension of its work, which was re- sumed later with two field workers. | Expenditures during the period were $S,I06.33, leaving balance of $220.07. |
 Progress was evident all along the [ line for high schools of the state, this bureau of the department admitting fine record. A. B. Hill is head of | the bureau. In 1908-09 there were only p class A high schools in the l state and only 300 graduates. In 1919-20, this had been increased to 84 | class A schools, which had 1850 grad uates. Another angle of comparison used in the number of pupils enrolled. { In 19l9-20 the high schools had 14,039 i pupils as compared with 1895 in 190SlO9 As to teachers employed in the high schools, ten years ago the | number was 200 whole time and IT { part time. The 1919-20 report shows | 590 whole time and 146 part time Mr. ! Hill succeeded E. W. Torrcyson, head of the Arkansas Normal, as suporin- ! tendent of secondary education, and his report declares that the work has been largely carried out along lines laid down by Mir, Torreyson in 1907.
 Rural school development and the outlook for their future are covered i in statements by J. R. Grant on ele- mentary education, w. F. Halbrook, rural school agent for mountain coun- ties, and J. A. Presson, negro supervi- sor MT. Halbrook reports intensive school work at Bass, Newton county; 1 Rosebud, White county, where a popu- lar subscription of $10,000 was made to supplement taxation revenue; King
 ston, where a domestic science and
 agriculture free school is being main i tained; Poughkeepsie, in Sharp coun- ty, where the same thing hsa been