The Prescott daily news., 1920-06-05
STATE AROUSED
 OVER EDUCATION
AFTER TAGGING BEHIND FOR YEARS, STATE IS TAKING ADJ VANTAGE OF OPPORTUNITY TO IMPROVE FACILITIES.

Educational interests of Arkansas are trending upward as never before. For several years it has been admit ted that the school conditions of the state are not what they should be. No longer do we deceive ourselves with the idea that Arkansas schools are the best in the country. Statistics are against us. Figures prove that as 2 matter of fact, Arkansas is near the bottom of the list. This knowledge was necessary to spur the state on toward an improvement in it's edu- cational methods and policies. The improvement is found in in- creased salaries for teachers, in bet ter buildings and equipment, improved curricula and a general higher ideal entertained not only by the educators themselves, but by the parents. There seems to be no disputing the fact that no other institution in America has made so little progress as has the rural schools. The educa- tion of the rural boy and girl $ fun damental in democracy like ours. The present school conditions in rural communities are very closely related to existing economic conditions. An | important step in the solution of ths vital question s the creation by the legislature of 1919 of the county boards of education, with the provi- sion that each county shall have 2 superintendent, whose duty it will be to devote his entire time to the in terests of the rural schools.
 Many of the best citizens in rural communities have moved into the cit ies to provide educational advantages for their children. Practically every city in the United tates is crowded. The census returns indicate that the urban growth of the last decade has been very great, and the indications are that there is corresponding de- crease in the rural population. This condition must be overcome if the balance is to be restored between the producing and the consuming classes. Those who have given the question most careful study believe that it can be most effectively done through the educational influences.
 Many houses on the farms are va cant, and it is impossible for the az ricultural people to secure enough la borers to cultivateborers to cultivate the crops. Today too many people are consumers and too few are producers. This is the report that comes from all sections, of Arkansas as we'll as the country at large. It is the duty of the city and the business interests in the city to provide educational op- portunites for the rural communities. The rural school teacher should be paid as much as, and in most cases, more than the teacher in the city. These facts are also causing city boosters to realize that there is some thing more important than an in- creased urban population. When the city grows at the expense of the country, both must suffer. Conse- quently it should not be deemed a source of regret and disappointment that the population of city shows little or no increase. When the people begin to return to the farms, then will come true prosperity for both the farm and city.
 The proper education of the future citizens of this country is imperative. We have before us the problem of re- habilitating the teaching profession and retaining in the profession those who are prepared for efficient ser vice. At a recent conference of citi- zens and educators held in Washing ton upon call of P. P. Claxon, Com missioner of Education, the follow ing suggestions were adopted as means toward the recruiting of teach CTS:
 Salaries hust be raised to reason able living wage.
 Better housing conditions for the teachers and social recognition of the service.
 Make the profession attractive for more men teachers.
 Furnish employment for twelve months in the year.