Pocahontas star herald., 1925-06-11
Consolidation Growing

1
tricts into county units is growing ir-
resistibly. There is still opposition in
some quarters but those who are max
ing a close study Of the educational
situation realize that the county unit
is inevitable. This means that the one
room school, taught by poorly equipped
teachers, must soon disappear DR.. j.
c. Walker Of Columbia County has set
forth 21 reasons why the county unit
is desirable. Among these may be men
toned the following:
The teacher has to teach so many
grades, so many subjects, so many
classes and look af,. so many odds
and ends that thorough work is i'm
possible.
The enrolment is small, the attend
ance irregular, the term short, and the
recitations do not average more than
eleven minutes in length.
The program of studies is narrow
and inadequate. Special teachers Of
music, manual training, domestic sci
ence, physical culture and drawing are
impossible
The teacher is usually young and get
ting experience by practicing on inno-
cent children. Yet she is asked to be
superintendent, principal sometimes
janitor, art teacher, science teacher,
and all the special teachers provided
in good consolidated school
The work is so hard, the hours so
long, the pay so inadequate, and the
sympathy and cooperation Of patrons
so meager, that good teachers accept
the first opportunity to teach in large,
well organized schools even at a less
salary.
The small district is not able to put
up a building. equip it well, keep in
good condition, and employ a teacher
for a long term. The population, tax
able area and wealth Of the district
are too small to furnish either pupils
or taxes necessary to a good school.
Individual instruction and superyis-
ed study in a one room school are i'm
possible. The weakness Of the one
room school causes pupils to leave
school too soon. No high school work
is possible in a one room school Only
10 per cent of the children from one
room schools ever reach high school
Many of the best families are leav-
ing the rural communities to find bet
\ ter schools. Consolidation not only
helps to hold the best people in the
community. but attracts other desir-
able families 1t makes possible p
social life. the lack Of which is driv-
ing many young people from the coun-
try. Better community leaders are
available and others can be more easi-
Ely developed.
1t makes it possible for athletics to
he well organized and supervised. It
makes for efficient graduation claSsif-
cation Of pupils. It puts a good rural
high school within reach Of every
home. The course Of study is broader
more vital therefore more interesting,
land because Of this condition pupils
are glad to remain longer in schools.
Better teachers can be employed be-
cause the work is more pleasant, the
term longer, the supervision better,
and the social life more satisfactory.
II enables a teacher to have only one
or two grades, thus making it possible
to secure teachers who are trained for
their special work. The enrolment is
larger and the attendance better than
in all the separate schools combined.
1t not only keeps the children in the
grades longer, but it causes many more
to go to high school II enables boys
and girls TO get good high school
education at a place and in a way that
will not divorce them from rural life
and rural people. 1t gives pupils all
the advantages Of a city school without
exposing them to the glare and tempta.
tions Of city life.
1t enables the county superintendent
10 visit the teachers more often and t.
render them greater service.
In union there is strength The
united districts can build better build
ing. heat it better and equip it better
with better books seats, libraries, pie
lures. globes, maps, charts and labor.
atorieS.
1t makes it possible 10 transport
pupils To and from school. enabling
them to arrive on time dry and warm
Transportation also helps to solve
many of the personal difficulties that
arise on the road to and from school
A larger taxing area is better for all
concerned. II enables a community "a
secure free the services Of a Smith.
Hughes agricultural teacher.
The consolidated school costs No