The courier-index., 1920-06-04
IITTLE ROCK
7 NEWSLETTER
DETERMINED THAT
Fos ,,oors SHALL BE PLACED
- SOUND BAsIs-INTEREsT
INCREASES.
nv Clio Harper)

(By Clio harper! s,,
Educa ,d;ng upward as never De-
are trenun Several years it has been
fore 1rs;tted that the school Gondit tSaE
sdm ISe state are not what tney
Of the 10 No longer do we de-
should -. with the idea that
ceive ou schools are the best IN
Arkansas 4rv Statistics are against
the c T;anres prove that as a matter
Us foct Arkansas is near tne ooetoml
Of i sss list. This knowledge was
Of tne INV TO spur the state on TO-
necessa a. Improvement in its educa-
vara M Methods and policies.
'lV ~sa Improvement is found in In
Inc Salaries for teachers, In
ere esss bindings and equipment, i'm
DeIsela cnrrioia, and a general high
prOV:eaL aol entertained not only by
e. e. educators themselves, but by
the parents l;s.,,+;,,o
in saet that no other institution
ms r" has made so little pro-
u nA as has the rural schools. The
s lSeation of the rural boy and girl
us."ndamental in democracy like
srs The present school conditions
Su, rnral communities are very closely
a.lsted TO existing economic condl-
eaus An important step in the So
, ssi,, Of this vital question is the
s ,ss by the legislature of 1919,
~ county boards of education, with
~ ~ nroyision that each county shall
..ve q superintendent, whose duty
!. ' will he to devote his entire time
y the interest of the rural schools.
Many of the best citizens in rural
.,mmunities have moved into the
.;,iss to provide educational advan-
t.ces for their children. Practical
every city in the United States
crowded. The census returns in
lcate that the urban growth of the
Al decade has been very great and
the indications are that there is a
Corresponding decrease in the rural
bOuulation. This condition must be
overcome if the balance is to be re-
ored between the producing and
he consuming classes. Those who
lave given the question the most
lsreful study believe that it can be
host effectively done through ed
cational influences.
Many houses on the farms are
acant and it is impossible for the
grcultural people to secure enough
bborers to cultivate the crops. To-
lay too many people are consumers
ind too few are producers. This is
be report that comes from all Sec
ions Of Arkansas as. well as the
ountry at large. 1t is the duty of
be city and business interests of
be city to provide educational OPP
orunities for the rural commu-
bites. The rural school teacher
hould be paid as much as, and in
post cases, more, than the teacher
the city. These facts are also
Rusng city boosters to realize that
here is something more important
han an increased urban population.
hen the city grows at the ex-
Fnse of the country, both must
pifer' Consequently it should not
deemed source of regret and
appointment that the population
a city shows little or no in
ease. When the people begin to
'urn to the farms, then will come
ae prosperity for both the farm
d the city.
The proper education of the fu-
e citizens of this country is i'm
iative We have before us the
00lem of rehabitilating the teach
profession and retaining in the
WESTON those who are prepared
efficient service. At a recent
inference of citizens and educators
u IN Washington upon call of
: Claxon, commissioner of edu-
sNn, the following suggestions
= adopted as a means toward the
osutmg of teachers:
sIafies must be raised to a rea-
l D,e living wage.
Osuer housing conditions for the
uelS and social recognition of
service.
make the profession attractive for
y men teachers.
MI, anlsn employment for twelve
0nIns in the year.
yusllflcations of teachers raised
Rerence. '" hs anu
S'e OF service should be Sc