The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1930-01-18
Editorial Comment
Schools for Farm Children
(Griggs County Sentinel COURIER

One Of the most far -sighted and far-reaching cduca-
tiorsl proposals ever sponsored by a group of any in
dividuals in the state comes from two groups of Farm
Union members. one embodied in resolutions adopted by
the county convention in Williams county and the other
by the state convention recently held at Bismarck, when
they urged the establishment of county agricultural and
training schools. The action of these two Farm Union
groups is in line with the trend in educational circles
for more practical training. and they are to be COM
nended for their vision in sponsoring this forward move
ment as a body. It marks them as men of broad vision.
The ultimate aim of education is, or should be, the
better fitting of the student to carry on his life work.
To better fulfill that aim. schools have been passing
through a period of evolution in which we have witnessed
a departure from the old stereotyped. impractical courses
to teaching which enables the young men and women to
leave the school room with better understanding of the
practical and theoretical problems of their trade or pro-
fession which they are to follow in their future life.
To some extent, this evolution has changed the course
Of study in local high schools. but as yet, it is only be-
ginning.
Each wear secs an increased enrolment in North Da-
kota high schools Of rural children, who come to the city
to attend high school as the finishing of their education,
or else to prepare them for higher education. With the
great majority. high school is the completion of their
schooling. Following it. they return to the farm. bu.
little better equipped to carry on their work than when
they entered.
Practical education fitted to the needs Of the scores
Of eighth grade graduates who yearly leave the rura,
schools of this and other North Dakota counties is the
impending step in educational circles, and the state and
pairing for it by having available appropriations for the
aid of agricultural Smith Hughes high schools. Two Of
River and the other at Maddox. where both are writing
educational history.
The Sentinel-C Courier has no intention to criticize the
local high schools or the courses of study which they
offer to students today. As college preparatory courses.
they leave little to be desired and Griggs county has
every reason to be proud of the accomplishments of the
local institution.
The demand Of the day is becoming more and more
for a better and more practical training for the students
whose schooling ceases with graduation from high school,
however. In this class is included a preponderant num-
Der Of farm children. in whose education the farm pco-
pie themselves should take the initiative. In our ideal
educational institution 101 Of the ITO students enrolled
in the high school are tuition-paying students. and with
few exceptions all come from the farms Of the vicinity.
Only a small percentage will pursue education after grad
uation from the local school.
The present high school course is particularly designed
to prepare these young people for their advanced educa-
ton. while little consideration is given to the actual needs
of the larger group who will leave school forever after
their graduation here.
In the face Of the preponderancc of farm children at
tending the local school, and these figures can no doubt
be taken as general over the state. it is not unreasonable
to suggest that more attention be given to the needs Ut
the greatest number.
The county agricultural and training school Is UNI
doubleday the. solution Of the problem and the Farm
Union groups who hayS called attention to the need have
tua1y mean Improvement In educational methods where
farm children are involved. And that affects students in
every high school in the state.
County agricultural and training schools offer the OPP
portunity to complete the regular nine months course
In seven months, they have q full home economics de-
partment. q full Smith Hughes agricultural department,
q commercial department. manual training. shop work.
q complete agricultural course. Is well Is . complete
academic course, for those who desire the latter training
Education and the proper preparing Of the young Of
the city and farm for their future life work Is the great
charge. How to do that most effectively and efficiently
is the problem Of the taxpayers and citizens as . whole
4 Two groups OF the Farm Union have expressed their
views on the proposition. The problem is well worth
the farm people, whose children would be the beneflc-
iareis.