Every evening, Wilmington daily commercial., 1922-03-17
SCHOOL ATTENDANCE
IN STATE IMPROVES
Has Made Phenomenal Growth
During Course OF Last
Four Years.

All agencies working for educa-
tional progress In Delaware are In
terestcd in better school attendance.
During the last four years. the state
has made phenomenal growth In
school attendance. During the school
year OF l9l7-l9lS, the school boys and
girls attended on the average OF only
20 days; the year OF 19lS-i919, %
days: tho year 19le-192o. 100 days:
the year le2o-l92l, 1S4 days. With
In four years time. ~ days Cor two
school months) were added to the
time attended school by our boys and
girls. What will this years record
be-
II children are not in school, the
teachers cannot teach them. The
home. In many cases. has abdicated
In favor OF the schools: but, II the
children fall 10 attend school regular
~. they cannot expect to progress
in their school work. A pupil who at
tends school 100 or even 100 days can
not compete with . pupil who attends
school 100 TO $50 days.
For the sake OF the children and for
the cake Of the future OF the State.
parents. guardians. and friends Of ed
ucation. are asked 10 help to secure
the best school attendance possible.
Tho school attenda nee law requires
that all children between the ages of
seven and fourteen shall attend
school. each day OF the minimum
school year OF one hundred and sixty
days.
Children between the ages Of four
-.
pleted the work Of the eighth grade
should attend school not loss than
one hundred (l0o) days. as nearly
consecutive rs possible. beginning not
later than November first: "unless II
can be shown and witnessed by writ
ten endorsement that each child Is
elsewhere receiving regular and
thorough instruction during the said
minimum school year In the subjects
prescribed for the elementary school
OF the State"
I, ~ urged that visiting be arranged
for week ends when the children viii
not have 10 lose time from business
FOR going to school IL the child's
business Just the same as going e
work is tho Quits business.
Cooperation n asked In this matter
for the sake Of the child.
The following reasons are regarded
as sufficient 90 excuse absence: l. thu
Illness OF the child who IL absent
tho quarantine OF the home OF III,
child: q death in tho family; a storm
80 severe that the child cannot Sc
60 school; n certificate from regu
lar physician 90 the effect that th'
child is physically or mentally unable
20 attend: working at agriculture
pursuits for children under Ia years
provided they enter by october LIST
and attend nj least 40 days.
II child Is out Of school for an,
OF the above reasons, the parent q
guardian should notify the teache
Immediately.
II the child u out Of school for 9th
.easons than those mentioned. par
ents or guardian should arrange q
have the child return 10 school a
once.
In this day Of progress and develop
mcnt. when the benefits OF educa
tion are SO apparent. II seems idle q
argue either for or against educa
ton ne a most powerful means for IN
promotion % the general welfare o
the people. Ignorance ever has bee
the everlasting enemy Of freedom 4
a democracy. Thomas jefferson said
"If nation expects to be ignoran
and free. IN state OF Civilization,
expects what never was and neve
VIII be-" Education OF al classes c
people is the best means OF promot
Ing the prosperity OF Delaware.
Every child is entitled 10 an educs
ton. II y quite unfair 10 tax a ma
90 educate his neighbours child an
then permit the neighbor to keep ths
child out OF school.
The visiting teachers in the thre
counties are cooperating with teach
ers. parents. and guardians in slim
ulating public opinion and sentimer
for better school attendance. Henr
Ward Beecher said: Private opinio
r. weak. but public opinion is a
most omnipotent." Public senti,ner
will count for 90 much in the admir-
Mtration OF the compulsory School Al
tendance Law in Delaware. The Der
efts OF this democratic measure az
crue 20 the masses.
Service Citizens have been co-or