The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1921-07-16
IMPROVING
RURAL SCHOOLS
Plan Mapped Out For
Standardizing Vermont's
System
AND STATE BOARD
GIVES APPROVAL
Competent Supervision,
Publicity, Simple Admin
istration, Rewards

At the recent meeting of the Yer
mont state board of education the fol
lowing report was made by the com
mtee delegated to investigate stand
ardizing the rural schools and the re-
port was adopted and the same com
mitee left in charge to put the work
into effect. Miss Rose Lucia of Mont
pelier will have direct supervision over
the work.
To members of the state board of
education;
Your committee desires to present
the following report on standard rural
schools for your consideration
The object to be attained is indi-
Gated by the title to promote the i'm
provement of rural schools in Vermont
until they are placed and maintained
on a high standard of efficiency in
buildings and surroundings of salts
factory character.
The standards to be striven for
should be definitely stated in circular
or booklet, They should be simple, com
prehensive and attainahle. Such cir
cular has been prepared by representa-
tives of the Vermont Women Teach
ers association and has been presented
to the board for its approval. We rec
ommend its adoption as amended by
the board in its conferences on this
u, hot ba stf
financial aid or reimbursement be fur
Their adjusted by the board.
Four Essential Points.
The success of the contemplated
work will depend in large measure
upon:
l. Election of competent inspector
or supervisor
2. A campaign OF publicity to arouse
interest.
3. Effective, simple administration.
4. Sufficient incentives and induce
ments.
/. Inspector or supervisor:
The inspector or supervisor should be
person of energy, good judgment and |
tact, and ability to arouse enthusiasm
and support
His work should be largely in the
field, and should consist TO a large ex
tent of educating the rural public as
to the differences between poor and
good schools, of arousing interest and
desire for better schools and of giving
practical advice and assistance to di-
rectors, superintendent and interested
patrons in improving their schools.
He should know what is required to
make school conditions, instruction, or
ganization, courses of study, commu-
nifty gatherings and the like satisfac-
tory, effective and lasting.
His suggestions should be practical,
sensible, economical and such as TO ere.
ate confidence and favorable reactions
He should know details of administra.
ton, costs of repairs, appliances, sup
plies, etc.
His reports on schools. either OF
those below standard or above should
be accurate, constructive and capable OF ]
practical use, They should be written
and sent TO the various individuals
and copies thereof should be
fled at Montpelier for reference.
3 Publicity:
1
assist in general state publicity.
Frequent and helpful press notices
should be provided, giving attention {
not only to desired ends and to plans {
ior improvement, but also to reports Of
and to lists of schools q
md towns that secure worthy results :
Rural school improvement should be d
featured in the press, in administra. S
ion in educational conventions The o
,lsn should, so TO speak, be effectively c
advertised n
Booklets and circulars should be pre- e
Jared for distribution. Especially we a
issuing pamphlet on rural o
chools as a hand book for the in. q
pector and for school authorities It 5
hould have 20 or 80 pages and contain il
uts and suggestions concerning $
rounds, buildings, apparatus, equip 2
nent, hygienic facilities, stoves, tot e
cts, decorations, lunch equipment, etc. e
Working drawings might be included e
4 improvements that could be made r,
y local carpenters or even citizens and n
upils a
Meetings in local communities
ranges church societies, entertain Il
lents LOT the PUBIC IN the school II
etc.-should be planned for. o.
School exhibits AZ town meetings, a
ublic stores, and at school should be "
ranged. Ia
3. Administration
The administration of the plan in
-ould include sl personal work Of the 81
upervisor; 81 Office and clerical work. n,
his would be done in part by local SUI
erintendents and other school officials. m
nd in part by the clerical force in the A,
office. II would include n,
istribution Of circulars, correspond s,
nee, tabulating results. keeping rec ct
rds of standard and non-standard 81
'hools, awarding and distributing m
ates, buttons, etc. and keeping ac- m
'unt of disbursements and expenses. %
This work could be done without in n,
easing the present Office force in
Rewards Offered. IN
q Incentives and inducements: -
These would be of two kinds. First. ~
onor rewards. Standard and superior -