Milford chronicle., 1923-04-06
RURAL SCHOOLS NEWS LETTER
(NO. q
From the Division Of Rural Education,
United States Bureau of Education,
Washington, d. G., March, 1928


school for country children and have
enacted laws providing State aid tC
encourage communities to centraliZe
their schools. These 19 States are:
Delaware, Georgia, Iowa, Maine, Mich
igan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska
North Dakota, Oklahoma, Pennsylva-
mia. Rhode Island, South Carolina,
South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Yer
mont, West Virginia, and Wisconsin.
The laws usually provide that consol-
| idation school districts receive aid
from the State if they meet certain
prescribed standards relating to
school terms, qualified teachers, ade-
quate buildings and equipment. State
| aid for transportation of pupils seems
to be the most popular way of encOur-
aging consolidation of schools. That
the idea of State aid for consolidation
of schools is popular with the people
is evinced by the fact that most of the
laws in the 19 States have been en-
acted within the last ten years and
that there has been a tendency to in
crease the appropriations in the
States where it has been tried.
It's Matter of Chance - Chance
plays a large part in determining the
kind of education that an Indiana
child receives If he is an average
child and attends a One-teacher school
when he reaches the fifth grade he
will be more than a year behind city
pupils in the same grade. When he
reaches the eighth grade he will be
two years behind. These statements
are based upon the report of a survey
that has recently been made OF the
schools in that State. The conclusion
was arrived at by comparing the
achievements in the common branches
as measured by standard tests of chill
dren in corresponding grades and OF
the same age in city and in one-tea-
cher rural schools. According TO the
Indiana school survey report the chleI
reasons why the children in the one
teacher schools are behind the chill
dren in the city schools are because OF
immature and poorly trained teachers,
short terms, irregular attendance,
poor buildings and lack of equip
ment.
Pointing out ways in which the sit
nation can be remedied the survey
recommends the county instead OF the
township as the unit of school admin
istration with county board of edu-
cation to select a superintendent IN
the same manner that a city board Sc
lects it's superintendent. FUNDS re-
uuired should be raised by a general
school tax levied by the county board
of education on FL the property out
side of the cities; school grounds,
school buildings and equipment should
he standardized; a uniform salary
schedule for all teachers should De
adopted based upon preparation,
length of service and efficiency ana
the county superintendent should pc
given a staff of supervisors, according
to the report.
High School DOTmitOrieS-In sever
al States having large sparsely settled !
areas in which the consolidation oI
rural schools is impracticable, dor
mitories are maintained in connection
with public high schools. Among these
States are California, Colorado, Mon
tana. Nevada, Nebraska, Utah and
West Virginia. Montana reports
larger number located in remote sec
tions than any other State. In 1920 the
State Department of Education in that
State reported that Is dormitorles
housed 365 boys and girls, most OF |
whom would have been unable to at
fend high school had it not been for
the dormitory privileges furnished. |
from which the students
came ranged from three to 95 miles.
In the States mentioned the dorml-
.ories are maintained at cost Matrons
are in charge of the girls dormitories
md one or more men teacher live in
he bows dormitories and are respon-
;ible for the discipline. Student coop
,ration is sought in dormitOry man
lgement through such organization as
;tudents' courts and ethical clubs.
The schools generally assume some
for the social and re-
igiOus welfare of the students. Lee
ure courses, school parties, literary
,ocieties and athletic clubs are en-
Students are urged to attend
he churches of their choice on Sun
ays.
Laws Concerning Transportation Of
u. S. Bureau of Educa-
ion in a leafet concerning transpor-
alton of pupils shows that every
tate transports school children at
ublic expense. Forty-three States
ave specific legal provisions for
transportation. In the remaining five
tates it is made possible by broad
of the powers and du-
es of school authorities. Transporta-
on is considered a necessary char
,teristic of consolidation.
Usually the laws authorize the
,hool authorities to make such rules :
nd regulations as they think neces- II
lry concerning the conveyance, the
,ute and the driver. Some States,
)wever, have enacted laws regarding
em. Twelve States make certain
atements concerning the character
i'd duties of drivers. Seventeen States
WIS specify the minimum distance
tween school and home beyond
hich pupils shall be transported.
lese distances vary anywhere from
Ie-half mile to two and One-half
lies. Seven States provide by law
at parents may receive compensa-
IN for either a whole or part of IIH
e distance for transporting their
IN children. Seven States authorize
hool boards to pay the board of,
ildren in lieu of transportation
len it is more economical. The State
sists in paying the transportation in
States either by means of special
ate aid or by certain provisions re-
ing to the distribution of State
lds.
Leaders in rural education who at