Brownsville herald. [volume] (Brownsville, Tex.) 1910-current, 1924-09-06
SCHOOLS need
NOT FEAR new
STATE LEADER
Supt. Marrs Tells Of
Progress Made in Ed
ucation in Talks Here
Yesterday

81 do not believe the schools Of Tex
as have anything to fear from the in
coming administration, said State
Superintendent s. NJ n. Marrs, in adj
dressing an audience Of teachers and
Brownsville residents at the high
school building last night. The sdper-
intendent declared that Ferguson had
learned his lesson. and that both he and
his wife had expressed themselves as
being in favor Of aiding the schools in
every respect.
In an address devoted principally TO
school organization and support. Super
intendcnt Marrs pointed out the ad'
varce that has been made in the
handling of school funds and finances.
this being proved forcihly in the great
er aid given schools bv the state. He
stressed the fact that this has been a
business mans administration through
out. Last year for the first time in the
history Of the state, the total per capi
"a was paid before the year was up.
This year. for the first time in the
history of the state. the schools have
already received So per capita cash.
and another 81 per capita will be sent
in November. Due to a more efficient
handling Of the school funds. rarticul-
arly in the handling of the textbook
funds. the state department Of educa.
tion has been able to raise the per cspi-
tn from $l2 to Sli. The one-fourth of
one cent gas tax is helping to make this
possible. Mr.. Marrs said.
Nneglcct High Schools
THE high school-the connecting link
between the colleges and elementary
schools-is the neglected unit in our
school system" Mr.. Marrs said. "The
state has always made provision for
schooling Of elementary children. and
for the colleges and university; il has
taken care Of education az both ends Of
the line. but has not cared for the high
school. connecting these two units.
Il propose az the next legislature to
introduce a bill which should help in
one respect" lie outlined his proposed
bill As one which will provide that
where there are children Of high school
are and standing in community where
there is no high school. the state shall
pay their Triton to another high school
nearby, and pay their board and room
while they are attending that high
school. III, gave specific examples Of
where this Is being carried out.
Mania for Credit
Superintendent Marrs discussed the
mania that school men have Of trying
70 run up credits Of affiliation with
the University OF Texas. The course Of
fr h., a. I
hy the demands of that community. he
said. What he advocated stopping Is
the mad race for mtrc credits of ar.
filiation. An increase IN She number
Of credits Of affiliation requires more
teachers-more teachers i'm the high
schools limits the number in the grade
schools. and reacts 10 the disadvantage
Of the elementary grades. he rointed
out. Tine real index TO the character
~ work done AZ 2 school or the stand
ing Of the school il not the number ~
credits Of affiliation.
Superintendent Mars spoke briefly
Of the educational survey of the schools
Of Texas which has recently been COM
pleted. expressing himself in favor ot
ths suggestions Of those who made the
their recommendation.
Speaks at Institute
In a talk az the closing session Of the
Lower Rio Grande Valley Teachers IN
etituts in Brownsville yesterday after
room Superintendent Mars explained
the provisions Of his proposed rural aid
bill. which will necessitate lcgisla-
tive appropriation Of S500.O00. "Thc
rural aid bill will make il possible for
us 70 help keep our boys and girls on
the farms and so alleviate what bids
fair to be one Of our most serious 50.
Geological problems--thc influx ~ coun-
~ boys and girls to the cities"
Ony two possible objections could
ever be offered TO the free text books.
Mr.. Marrs declared. and both have been
overcome One is the additional labor