The Little River news., 1920-06-09
EDUCATION IS COMING TO
 THE FRONT RAPIDLY
Interests of Arkansas Are Trending Upward as Never Before. Will
 Soon be on the Top Round.


 Little Rock, June S.--(SpeciaD - Educational interests of Arkansas are trending upward as never before. For several years it has been admitted 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 a matter of fact Arkansas is near the bottom of the list. This knowledge was necessary to spur the state on toward an inn provement in it's educational methods and policies
 The improvement is found in in- creased salaries for teachers, in better buildings and equipment, improved equipment and general higher ideal entertained not only by the educators themselves but by the parents.
 Many of the best citizens in rural communities have moved into the citi- es to provide educational advantages for their children Practically every city in the United States is crowded The census returns indicate that the growth of the last decade has been very great, and the indications are that there is corresponding decrease in the rural population. This condi- tion must be overcome if the balance is to be restored between the producing and the consuming classes, Those who have gwen the question the most careful study believe that it can be most effectively done through educa- tional influences.
 Too Many Leave Farms.
 Many houses on the farms are vacant and it is impossible for the agricultur- al people to secure enough laborers 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 well as the country at large. It is the duty of the city and the business interests in the city to provide educa- u0nal opportunities for the rural com 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 rea.ize that there is more important than an in- creased urban population When the city grows at the expense of the coun- try, both must suffer. Consequently it not be deemed source of re- gret and. disappointment that the pop uIation Of city shows little or no in- crease. When the people begin to re- turn to the farms, then will come true prosperity for both the farm and city.
 The following suggestions were adopted as a means toward the re- cruitlng of teachers:
 Salaries must be raised to a reason able living wage.
 Better housing conditions for teach CTS and social recognition of the ser vice,
 Make the profession attractive for more men teachers.
 Furnish employment for twelve months in the year,
 Qualifications of teachers raised and salaries rated on training and exper- fence.
 Tenure of service should be secure for those who are qualified for their work.
 Support for schools should be equalized and should assure a specific amount for each ch:;d
 A subsidy should be arranged for teachers taking Normal training.
 Provisions should be made for the training of teachers in service.
 Compulsory school attendance laws should be enforced
 Teachers should be permitted to in the affairs of school ad-