The Washington times., 1922-11-05
RURAL SCHOOL
CONSOLIDATION
GAINS SINFAVOR
Secretary Of State Board OF
Education in Virginia
Tells of Progress.

RICHMOND, Va, Nov. ~ H.
ginia is making rapid strides, in the
consolidation of schools. In discuss
ing this important consideration
Dr. W. 4. Sanger, secretary state
Board of Education, explained, "Ob'
viOusly there are isolated communi'
ties in Virginia WHICH for a number
OF years will not be able to support
the consolidated school. Small
standardized one and two-teacher
schools will serve these communi.
ties effectively, as better housing
better equipment, and better teach
ing can be secured. Again. there
are sparsely populated areas pro
vided with fairly good roads which
may not be able TO support consOl-
idated schools of the usual type,
but the movement in Virginia is to.
ward iudicious consolidation.
CONSOLIDATED schools" Secretary
Sanger continued. naturally involve
the transportation OF pupils. In the
older days transportation was effect,
ed by the use OF horse-drawn school
wagons. These are rapidly being
replaced by motor trucks with
well constructed and comfortably
equipped school bus bodies.
This form of transportation il nj.
most az comfortable as the railway
coach The State Board OF Educa
tiOn last year began the appropra.
ton OF 800 toward the support OF
school wagons maintained in Nir.
ginia. Three hundred and forty.
eight such wagons last year oper,
ated under this plan. This aid is
offered again this year.
Many Advantages.
"One is often asked for a brief
statement of the advantages OF the
consolidated school az over and
against the one and two.teacher
schools. To my mind, Secretary San
ger stated. these are some of the out.
standing advantages of the consoli.
dated school. There is a better build.
ing and equipment. with a janitor to
care for the building less tardinCss
because of transportation of pupils
stronger school organization: longer
school term; better qualified teach
ers and superior instruction; NOR"
adequate grading OF pupils: sufficient
teachers to give proper instruction
better playground facilities, with or.
ganizpd athletics: less sickness
through better school supervision; i'm.
proved sanitation, and transportation
Of pupils without exposure to the
weather; often there are high school
privileges stimulating children Of IN,
grades to prolonP their schooling
about the same opportunities provided
a. for children living in towns; larger
classes, contributing 10 superior class
spirit: supervision of play; improved
attendance and strengthened school
morale: stimulating school atmos
pherc. greater Tx k"lihOod of dcvel
upinG community leadership beCaus,
o. stronger school leadership; tn,
cost Is ordinarily less than similar
advantages provided IN the city; a
greater likelihood OF scGrcgating the
backward pupil for special irstru"'
ton: better living conditions may he
provided teachers through a teacher
age: an enriched course of study can
be provided. with vocational instruC
ton in agriculture and home eco
nomics.
"In addition to these advantages
accruing from a consolidated school
there are several other noteworthy
ADVANTAGES. for example, farm values
are increased through the develop
ment of the consolidated school.