Milford chronicle., 1923-03-02

UNDER THE SURFACE OF Public School Education
there very strong feeling that the prob
lem must be solved by the people from the standpoint
and welfare of free school education. Th
Carnegie Foundation within the past few days. criticised
system policies adopted by educators 1t
general condemnation of higher education vocationa
education; but rather calling for careful scrutiny
plans proposed by the greatest frnds of public
school education Educators have devoted to study
the ideal in education until they have evolved what the
Carnegie people term condition, where the educational
system has far ability of the schools impart
the children and their parents to absorb Be this
may is certain that legislators have to meet this prob
lem from the light of understanding they may have,
those who advisors to how to legisate
for free school education
Here in Delaware evidence of this condition of the
public crops out frequently but yet there has not
been statement in understandable FORM to how
the problem should be solved. Last week James H.
Hughes who be the editorial writer in
the Dover Index devoted to discussion of school
problems incidentally paid his respects to the State
Superintendent of Education and in part said:
1--WE have very high regard for Mr.. Holloway and his
ability and are always interested in his views but fear
he is inclined like so-called educators to view school
matters the professional rather than the practical
standpoint believes that the all important thing in the
State is the and that whether we afford it or
not we must as he says try to afford the present school
system whatever cost and whatever resources We
can go with him this far We believe the public school
one of the important things in the State We believe
it even more important roads which con-
WINGED many of our people lost their heads We be-
ieve it more important than several other things that the
Legislature called to appropriate money for We be-
eve we should have the best public schools that we can
afford but we do not believe should try to afford every
thing connected with present public school system
What are the things to be cut out? What should De
put in or eliminated from the budget?
The demand for rural consolidation of schools anu
hauling children to and from such consolidated schools
the Index editorial writer claims the ideal condition for
free school education in rural communities and he is not
so far out of the way that deduction That however,
one of the accepted problems by all educators and many
of the state systems of public school management
eve want the State to provide for real need OF
our public schools though something else must ge
for want the funds used for the real
things the essentials and not for unnecessary things how
desirable they may from the professional stand
point.
be Superintendent of Public instruction in his com
muncation says of the school system the high scnoos
are the most expensive part and asks why we do not cut
out high schools or some Of them We agree with this ana
If vve cou1d do it we would cut out many of the high
schools and we would not deferred from doing so be-
of the kick of high schools districts We understand
that the average cost high school pupil IS $SO Inc
1921 law limited cost to $780, but the so-caed DudgeI
provided an extra appropriation of 100000 to make up
deficits in high schools have said before and we re-
noo+ II now that Delaware cannot afford high schools at
cost of $13O per pupil The essential thing IN our scnool
system is the elementary school, Most OF our chdren are
educated there Some time people Will realize thaC
of our high schools must and that in Kent county
Or instance two OF three high schools will take care Of all
Dur high school pupils. Along the line we might say
while we cannot afford the high schools at present cost
much less can we afford to help give our children col
ege education The high school is essential but the COST
can be reduced We asked to give the University Oh
Delaware large appropriation to help educate cur chill
lren in college. To mind this is inexcusabie stu
,iditv At present we will not be able to get away from
he local feelings in favor of maintaining high schools IN
most every district represented by members OF the Leg
aure but we should get away from the folly OF continuing
appropriate large sums to maintain the University OF
This serves to point to the working of minds of those
Who have been saunch supporters Of free school educa
ion There will have to be a ground for settle
nent of the problems which bulkng large
n the public mind.
We must not permit popular clamor to mslead the
who will have to finally the plans for keep
ng efficient progressive education for all of Delaware
Keep going keep thinking how the best results can be
lad without wrecking education.