The Lubbock avalanche. (Lubbock, Tex.) 1909-1922, 1921-12-23
OUR TEXAS SCHOOLS

For years and years Texas has blowed about
its free school system. This in past years has been
a great thing for the people of the State but
in the past few years our schools have ceased to
be free and it costs and costs to send children TO
school In fact the demands becoming great
that poor children longer attend the schools
especially the city schools without being embar
raised many times during the term, and caused TO
feel ashamed because of their inability to keep up
the gait set by their class in matters that require
money. 1t that this condition is growing
every year. and if halt is not called soon,
Texas schools will not any longer be entitled to
the name of free schools Many things ocine up
during the term that might be mentioned in this
connection and that surely should be remeded
and that at once
Too many calls are being made
for money from the pupils From the very be-
ginning OF their school days to the finish of the
senior class year the demands come and each year
they grow and the pupil ad-
vances the expense becomes much greater till they
compelled through the sense of pride to drop
out entirely before they have reached the time for
graduation. II has come to the point that only
ONE CERTAIN KIND of paper with rules JUST
SO be used in the schools and the pupil is
punished if they do not obtain this certain kind of
paper Of this special kind of color Of ruling They
have scissors and a certain kind OF crayons.
they must have paste and they must have this and
that. which account OF it being special kind
and a certain manufacturer has special privilege
twice much as it should otherwise
Free text books are furnished but they are re-
quired to be covered with certain kind OF cover.
cut just and so. and this costs some more. Then
the numerous calls for all the children to bring
quarter dime a nickel for this. that the
other thing and If all the pupils do not come
across they subject criticism by their school
mates and some times have heard of them be
ing threatened by their teachers If they did not
do this OF that (the latter may Just be report
however, These demands even requests should
be kept down to the minimum If allowed at all
IN the schools be sause of the fact that hundreds
OF children cannot pay Then go up
through the grades and reach the organized
classes get to where every pupil is supposed to
have class pins and penants and caps etc. all
costing several dollars each perhaps and many
pupils not able to afford it. but they must
either make the rifle or be odd and feel the EN-
barrassment OF knowing that they conspicuous
for that reason and the grades grow higher
the cost increases and by the time the High School
work IS completed the cost OF sending children to
our fREE SCHOOL is almost great send
ing them to college There is charges for ball
saines, and for entertainments and for plays and
tor costumes and Tor every many different
things that when all summed up amounts 10 more
than large per cent Of the patrons OF the school
can stand and told that this very same
condition has caused two pupils to quit school at
this place. because they could not 90 the gait
their class going in financial way. They /
as we have it. girls who trying to work
their way through school, and rather than be hui
inflated by not being able to carry their part Of
the program outlined. c.nt and will probably
never reenter school. We hope this is true. but
there is possibility OF such a thing happening
and We dare say it is probability. We believe
that halt should be called on such as this and
a change in conditions in the schools be brought
about before they 90 too far We believe the
present rate We going will wreck schools
and cause many young people to drop out Of
school long before they have finished the high
school courses. Let US encourage them to stay in
school. rather than to them away by taxing
them beyond their ability to reach This is merely |
a friendly discussion. and a warning thrown out to
prevent disastrous results from too many monetary
requirements from the pupils From a standpoint
OF intellect the poor child has chance with any
OF them, and often proves the bright mind Of their
class but there Is limit to many Of the pupil |
finances and these things should have the serious
consideration OF the patrons OF the schools through
out the State OF Texas