Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1920-01-06
For. IOWA
UvRgAU OF EDUCATION Picks
srArg ron NETTING
Conferences On Rural Schools % De
Held In Cedar Falls Feb. " 20 To-
Problem o. What 70 DO Tor One.
Teacher Country Schools 70 Bs civ.
~ Consideration.

fsa ~ -------- E,
Washington. Jan. s.--In cooperation
with tho Iowa state department Of
education and the Iowa State Teach
ers' College. the bureau OF education
has called = national conference on
rural school consolidation to be held
at the Iowa state Teachers College,
Cedar Falls. Feb. II to 10. inclusive. It
Is desired to make the proceedings OF
this conference the last word on rural
school consolidation up to that time.
Hence, every state. every county. ev-
cry township, every community, and
every institution in the United States
that has done anything worth while
In the work Of rural schoo, consolida-
ton u most earnestly requested to be
represented either in person or by a
written report. and to make the best
exhibit possible of its good work by
charts. maps. pictures, ETC., in large
hall set aside for this purpose by the
college.
Conference Topic.
While arguments win be made at
this conference for rural school con-
solidation where consolidation is prac-
tlcable, the one-teacher rural school
where consolidation Is rmpracticable
viii not be overlooked. Experts win
speak from an actual and successful
experience in both fields OF work
diagnose the case and prescribe the
remedy IN open court.
There are in round numbers about
30, 900 one-room rural schools in the
United States. 1t Is claimed by some
who have made a careful study of this
question that probably two-thirds of
these schools. that is, 100000, can
and should be consolidated on ten
year nationwide campaign If suf-
ficient amount of financial aid were
provided therefor.
This would leave 10000 of these
schools beyond the realm of practic-
able consolidation. 1t is also claimed
by some who have made a careful
study OF the question that 1t Is posi-
BILE to eliminate 10000 OF the 10000
schools by uniting two or more of
these weaker schools In various parts
Of the country into a stronger one
teacher school than now exists in
many places.
This would leave us $4,000 one
teacher rural schools. These schools
must not be neglected. They must
not be boycotted. They must not be
starved. But they must be made the
best schools that 1t is possible for
money and qualified teachers TO make
them. Place the best qualified teach
ers In the whole public school system
IN these schools II you are going to
place the best qualified teachers any
where: for, here Is where the Hercu-
lean task IL. It II not the place for
amateur adyenturers or Juvenile pre-
tenderA Wherever the nation and the
state permit man TO 30 with his
family in an honest effort TO earn an
honest living. 1t IL the duty OF the
nation and the state to follow that
family and to provide the children
thereof with adequate school privf-
leses. This Is not done now IN at
least 100. 900 rural schools OF the I'm
tied States.
The Rural High School.
The rural high school In connection
with and independent Of. consolidation
viii be one Of the big questions at
the Cedar Falls Conference. The
Etownship and community high school
movement In Illinois. the, county agrt-
cultural high schools Of Mississippi,
and Wisconsin. the farm life schools
OF North Carolina and the associated
farm life schools Of Minnesota, the
consolidation high schools OF Colorado
Arkansas. Louisiana, Oklahoma, Indi-
ana, Iowa, North Dakota, Tennessee
Utah, Kentucky Florida Missouri
Kansas. Nebraska, South Dakota,
Washington, and other states and
the oentraiized high schools OF Ohio
arc among the types Of rural high
SCHOOLS TO b given consideration at
Cedar Falls.
Plan o. Attack
It q planned to attack the problems
Of the rural school at this conference
in tho main thru the committee plan
There arc now SIX committees
with from five to fifteen members on
each committee working on the prob
lens of consolidation a. follows:
Tho advantages and disadvantages
Of the various units Of taxation and
administration az related to rural
school consolidation,
Ths problem Of transportation and
good roads az related 10 rural school
consolidation.
What tho course Of study should be
and do for consolidated rural schools,
The preparation Of teachers Cor con-
soiidated rural schools.
Teachers salaries In consolidated
rural schools.
The need Of moro money IN ne oon-
solIdatiou Of rural schools,
Iowa 10 probably doing more In the
consolidation Of rural schools right
now than any other state In the union.
This siyes an opportunity to study tho
probism a. II Ia being solved there.
Governors 30 AttSnd,
Governor Harding, OF Iowa, n plan
ming TO be present 1T the conference
from Jtts opening to it, dosing session.
Governor McKeiyia Of Nsbraska.
has accepted an invitation to deliver
an sAdrsas at the conference Several
other governors arc expected to. attend
And taAs part m thu program.
I largo number Of hearers IN rural
sAuoat1on and country Nfe work from
n parts Of the country. hays already
made plans 10 attend. the conference.
oSsts Banks Must Nspert
Special ia Times Republican.
DEG Moines, Jan, es-The stats
banking department has issued call
tor 8 statement from state ana saw
inEs banks and trust oompanies undeS
10 control On the condition Of BUSH.
ness Dec, o. This u tho NTH and last
oali issued during ~ twslvs month"; I.