The Delta independent., 1924-11-21
WHAT'S RIGHT WITH
THE SCHOOLS?


ing:
In 1884 Thomas w. Bickwell quot
ed from a newspaper the following
statement: "Our present educational
system unfits young people to deal
with actual necessities, it takes away
self-reliance, begets conceit and draws
attention to what is ornamental rath-
er than what is fundamental" Long
before 1884, beginning back in Colon
ial days when first attempts at public
education were made, criticism and
censure were present, and at times
bore so heavily upon the shoulders OF
educators and friends of the public
school system that only those who
saw visions and dreamed dreams of
more perfect system of universal edu-
cation were willing to fight back to-
ward a goal which was too distant for
them to realize, but which we are
beneficiaries of.
Criticising the public schools, as
one writer states, has become one of
Americas most popular indoor sports.
Criticism in reasonable doses is
wholesome for any institution, and es-.
pecially 10 II the complaints are
well founded. Friction is essential
for growth, but at the same time
those who are victims of rebuke re-
sent it, and especially if the facts
have been misrepresented or mis-
understood
Anyone connected with our educa-
tional system will readily agree, il he
is honest in the matter. that the pub
lie schools cannot and should not
health. To the contrary, school peo-
pie more than the laymen are aware
Of the great short comings and defects
that exist today in our educational
systems
This week set aside as Education
al Week, provides special opportunity
for bringing before the public some
OF the facts about the great AMER
ICAN institution, the public school,
which provides free public education
Of the same brand for all of Ameri-
cas- youths.
Many people educated in the public
schools have been surprised to find
after going out into the world that
the schools were so bad. We must
remember that in America We have a
system Of education which is unique
we offer similar training for all. and
entirely free Of cost-without regard
to race, creed. color. birth, or social
position. Schools are supported by
taxing all the people thus making the
man without children help to educate
the children Of the community, this
being quite just when we realize
that educating people tends to make
life and property more secure, besides
when one helps to educate his
neighbor's child he is making the
world a better place in which TO live
Our public school system has
brought hopes Of liberal education
to many homes. where the children
could never have under any condi,
tions, expected an education II they
were to pay for Il themselves.
The schools are growing by leaps
and bounds. In 1870. six children ont
Of every ten from five to eighteen
years Of age were enrolled in the pub
lie schools. In 1922 eight ont Of
every ten from five to eighteen years
Of age were enrolled in the public
schools The Council of Research Of
the National Education association is
the authority for the statistics quoted
in this paper. Not only has attendance
increased but those in attendance are
going more regularly. In 1870 ele-
mentary and secondary schools pro
vided 5S9. 600 900 days OF schooling In
1922 they provided 5000. 600 600 days
Of schooling. II the general popula
tion had increased as rapidly as the
school attendance between lS7O-1922
we would have more than 216,OOO.Oo0
persons in the United States at the
present time. or cours, the com
pulsory education laws are partly
responsible for this great Increase In
attendance. but the laws were Great
ed hy the American people. thereby
proving their faith in the educational
system. The rapid growth In size
has been even more phenomenal I'm
our high schools In 1890 100000
students were enrolled: in 1900.
100000 were enrolled; in 1910, 600
900, and in 1929. 1900. 600 were going
to the public high schools II the
population Of the United States had
increased as rapidly as its high school
enrolment from 1890. its general pop
luation would now he 7O0.OOo.OOO
The public school has been the
chief agent In lifting the general level
Of education in the United States I'm
1890. one person In every six was
without schooling. In that year we
had 6,2S9, 900 illiterates. In 1920. with
the great increase IN population. this
clnas of nennln Mna rnhnrnl IN