Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-04-20
COUNTY TEACHERS
OPEN CONFERENCE
Plea Made for Rural School
Improvement at Lees
burg Meeting.
special pispatch 70 The star.

Special Dispatch to The Star.
LEESBURG, Va, April 20.--Harri!
Hart, State superintendent Of publ.
instruction, was the principal speaker
at the opening session of the annua
conference Of District H Education As
ISOLATION held in the high school audi.
forum at Leesburg yesterday and today
Approximately 400 teachers of thu
counties comprising this district were
In attendance.
Wilbur C. Hall, member Virginia
House Of Delegates, in welcoming the
teachers and other visitors said in part
Modern education has taken new
meaning. The education of the future
must teach the youth not only to dc
but to belt must make Of them citi-
zens with an aroused civic conscious
ness. Such will assure the continued
progress OF our growing common.
wealth."
Mrs. s. p. vanderslice, principal
Washington-Lee High School, responded
to the welcome.
Importance Stressed.
Mr.. Hart stressed the Importance OF
the rural elementary school. He said
in part: Virginia is yet rural and
agricultural State and no great i'm
provement can be made in the common
school system without longer terms
more efficient teaching and sanitary
and convenient schoolhouses for the
rural schools" He said that rural
school conditions have improved greatly
during recent years-that approximately
so per cent of the rural white enroll
ment. or ~ per cent Of the total rural
elementary enrolment are coming to
school under approximately standard
conditions"
Mr.. Hart stated the handicaps in de-
veloping rural schools in this and other
States. I'm the first place there Is a
rather different concept In rural COM
munities as compared to urban COM
munities as to what constitutes good
school. The city school must be nine
month session, taught by thoroughly
trained teacher and in well equipped
building, while often in rural communi-
ties 1t Is more desirable to reduce the
local rates of taxation and curtail the
capacity Of the school board to pay
reasonable salaries. It Is a curious
tendency to note that whereas reason
able standards for high schools In rural
communities are not only accepted. but
arc l1OW DCAi6 dlliAOSb QkAAAOAAily bCNs,
the lesser standards for the elementary
schools are not so happily received"
1T Is difficult for the county board
and superintendent to improve facilities
without the cooperation Of the patrons
concerned" he said.
Travel Improvements Factor.
Mr.. Hart spoke of the improved
highways and the great increase in
travel, which acquainted one with con-
ditions elsewhere, which will greatly
improve rural schools. He would have
the rural schools consolidated to make
larger rural units and to pay teachers
more, thus employing better trained
teachers for the rural schools. Mr..
Hart favors an itinerant teacher where
small groups Of pupils are found in
isolated sections, also the advantage
of expert rural school supervision.
In closing Mr.. Hart said, Given rural
school supervision in detailed fashion
and direction in their daily work, given
means of adequately paying the
teachers In the rural. schools and sup
plementing that with a well devised
plan for itinerant teaching Of small
isolated groups, the rural school situa-
ton will show immediate and lasting
improvement"