The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1921-01-05
GIVES COMPARISON
OF SCHOOL GROWTH


son of the number of schools for
1884, 1888 and 1920 some
significant tendencies are indicated
and emphasized. Five years ago, ac'
cording to the state superintendent
of education, the number of white
schools reporting was 1856. OF
these 1,701 were one teachers, $50
three teachers and 238 more than
three teachers. Four years later the
number of schools reporting was
1926. Of these 1,145 had one teach
er, 5S8 two teachers, 285 three
teachers and 307 more than three
teachers.
Record of Five Years.
Within the five years the net re-
duction in the number of white
schools was 224. Consolidation was
brought about in every case. During
the same five years the number of
one teacher schools decreased by 693.
The reason for this improvement,
according to Mr.. Swearingen, is due
in part to the increase in population
and partly to the prosperity of the
last four years. White enrolment
for 1920 showed 5O,76S more than
in 1914. This is one of the most sig
nhcant accomplishments of the year.
The corresponding figures for ne
gro schools are equally suggestive
and interesting; The report for 1914
showed negro schools as follows: One
teacher, 2,2S4; two teachers, 11S;
three teachers, 80, and more than
three teachers AZ. Four years later
the report for 1919 showed the ne
gro schools as follows: One teacher,
2,120; two teachers, 1877; three
teachers, &c; more than three teach
ers, SO. The report for this year
gives the number of one teacher
schools, 2,144; two teachers, 44;
more than three teachers, 70.
Within five years the negro en-
rollment has increased from 203,372
to 251,90s, a\gain of 4S,596. The
compulsory attendance law brought
into the schools last year 53,335
more negro children than were en-
rolled the year before.
Mr.. Swearingen says that the
work in the most progressive districts
favors one school for whites and one
school for negroes. In populous CEN
ters this number must be increased
to meet local needs. In a few coun-
ties there is an agitation about re-
ducing the minimum area of school
districts. Spartanburg has demanded
six square miles and Greenville advo-
Gates one square mile. According to
Mr.. Swearingen, the adoption of this
policy will disintegrate and disrupt
the schools. There is an inescapable
relation between wealth, taxation
and education. Limited areas with
low tax values are now hard pressed
to maintain efficient schools. Existing
laws provide no definition of school
No minimum enrolment of attend
ance is required. Some of these dis
tricts with low white enrolment
refuse absolutely to vote local
school tax. A number of such COM
nunities pay only a nominal levy.
Units Too Small
The district is the unit of school
state aid, school enrolment
and school administration. According
20 Mr.. Swearingen, this unit is too
small. Separate schools within this
init now depend solely upon the dis
,retion of local trustees. Mr.. Swear
ngen thinks that it would be better
:or the schools if existing restric-
ions and limitations on district
areas could be strengthened rather
han weakened. A school enrolling
fewer than ten pupils is an expensive
luxury. Such schools are decreasing
n number, but they could be proper
y prohibited except when specitical-
y authorized by the state board of
,ducation- SAWS Mr.. SWearinpen.