Brownsville herald. [volume] (Brownsville, Tex.) 1910-current, 1927-11-13
l-ROOMSCHOOL
THING OF PAST
IN THE VALLEY
Consolidation of Rural
Schools Has Given
Valley Students Ev-
cry Facility

The day Of the little one-room
school house has passed in the Lower
Rio Grande Valley. In its place the
consolidated rural school has been
established, giving the children Of
the rural sections educational facii-
tiles such as few sections Of the
North can boast, and creating IN the
rural communities Of the valley an
educational system which Tor ef-
ficicncy has no peer.
During the past five years texas
has made wonderful strides IN ecuca-
tional progress, but the valley mas
led. Educators concede that the Val
lev schools, both urban and rural,
have been bu.if t8 a degree OF ell
ficiency which hrs outstripped those
Of most sections Of the South and they
have proved a very important factor
in attracting 70 the Valley the more
progressive elements from the North
and East.
The early history OF Valley schools
WIS very similar to that Of prac-
tically al other sections Of the
South. Forty-eight years ago the
frs. public school was opened IN
Brownsville, and as the Valley slowly
develored during those early days
prior 70 the construction Of a rail-
road, educational advancement was
slow. Then came the beginning OF
the new era-tha construction Of irri-
vafioa canals, and, with the influx
of thousands Of new settlers, the de-
mand for more and better schools
was created.
II - go ve.r. ago nracticallv ev-
erv rural district in the Valley
ties had its little one-room school
house buried amid q jungle Of mes
quite and cactus. The demand for
better educational facilities became
more and more insistent. Districts
were consolidated, brick and con-
crete structures gradually replaced
the wooden shacks, and the CONSOLE
dated rural schools took their place
in the life Of the Valley.
Rivalry Brings Achievement
In the towns and cities the same
revolution took place. New school
houses have been built in every VAL
ley city and town in the past three
years. and in practically all cities
school plants have been established
that are far superior TO those Of
cities of similar size In the North and
East. And with the building Of these
plants has come the gradual improve
ment Of the schools, extensions Of
the course Of study. faculties Of the
highest quality and the establishment
Of the school systems upon q basis
of highest efficiency.
Friendly rivalry has resulted
In the securing Of faculties which
rank with the best in the South, and
their work has been supplemented by
the purchase Of equipment and furni-
ture tending 70 secure maximum re-
suits in ali branches Of educational
work. To secure faculties OF the
highest class they have paid good
salaries. and IN many OF the towns
and citias teacheragcs have been es-
t~ablished, assuring faculty members
every convenience during hours Of
study and leisure as the well
equipped school buildings provide cv-
cry possible convenience during their
hours OF work.
Though the development Of Valley
educational facilities has been rapid.
il has merely kept pace with the gen
ernl development Of all Of
the Valley. As fast as new school
buildings have been erected newly ar
rived families have provided the pu-
pills 70 utilize them. In fact, many Of
the towns and rural communities,
where magnificent schools have been
erected In the past three years, are
agnin facing the problem Of providing
additional facilities. There IS but
ono solntion-additional buildings
and the various districts show no
h%csitancy in applying the solution.
Many Consolidated Districts
Consolidation OF rural school dis
tricts and the erection Of large build.
ings. giving the rural pupils the same
facilities ms those in the towns ard
cities, has made more rapid prog