Evening Republican, Volume 22, Number 275, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 14 November 1919 — DISCUSS BETTER RURAL SCHOOLS [ARTICLE]

DISCUSS BETTER RURAL SCHOOLS

AT IMPORTANT EDUCATIONAL , MEETING HELD IN THIS CITY. The county superintendents, trustees and a few .of the principals of i the schools of the tenth congres- ; siOnaT district met in the court room ■at Rensselaer Thursday, November 13, to discuss the problem of better rural schools. State Superintendent of Instruction L. N. Hines was present and acted as chairman of the meeting. i Upon calling the meeting to order, Superintendent Hines stated briefly the problems that faced the people of the United States in regard to = rural education. The average school term in the country is only 137.7 days. 58% per cent of the children in the United States are in the rural communities. Rural teachers are paid low salaries, $414 per year in comparison to $965 paid city ’ teachers. A large number of the ' schools are one room affairs. The teachers -are poorly prepared. Illit--1 eracy is two times as great in the ( country as in the city. The amount of illiteracy is thrqe times-as great among the native born as among ’ the foreign born. Forty states have i supervision by the county superintendent and. 80 per cent of these have, assistants. The county superintendent needs more help. A small per cent of the country children go to high school. There is little relation between the curricula of the country schools and the life the country boy and girl leads. The schools are poorly equipped in grounds, building, etc. I Rural teachers’ salaries must be advanced beyond that; of the city i teachers to hold them.* The teacher 'must be identified with the community. There must be co-opera-tion between the teacher and the patrons.

Z. M. Smith, the state supervisor of agriculture, spoke briefly on the problem of- putting agriculture in the schools. He pointed out that the requirements of entrance to agricultural colleges had been changed so that' foreign language had been almost entirely eliminated. He said further that if a thing was worth spending one’s life at, it was certainly worth while in the schools, hence teach agriculture. Mr. Crow, one of the field examiners of the state board of accounts, answered a few questions in regard to the expenditure of money. Supt. Highway, of Lake county, talked in the afternoon on what the rural schools need most. He listed a few things such as, a .different school house, a different teacher, a longer school term, more men, teachers with a vision of leadership, .and more local self-government in regard to spending money. Mr. Wetherow, the state high school inspector, spoke on an ideal school. The results that had been gained from the rural school had been habits of industry, willingness to learn, and willingness to accept responsibility. These traits had come largely from the farm life rather than from the teaching. A school grounds should have one and one-half acres in it. The school school be organized on the six-six plan, both in building and in curriculum. There should be a community room and a gymnasium. The teachers should be rural minded, they should have the ability to teach and to get the children to want

to do. ■ The discussion of the above talk brought out the point that a teacher with a strong personality is to be desired. Medical examinations are of great benefit. x B. J. Burris, assistant state superintendent of instruction, spoke on giving* 1 the county superintendent a better chance. Increase his salary, remove political election, increase the tenure of his office, give him more help and more power, give him a special course in some state school for one week each year. . / Superintendent Hines, irr closing the day’s work, displayed a set of charts put out by the International Harvester company and called: “America Does Not Trfcat Her Country Boys and Giris Square. This chart showed how the country child was neglected “We have belittled the biggest job m America. , Officers were elected for the ■meeting, or rather organization, which is to hold regular meetings. C. W. Postill, of Jasper county, was elected chairman; John Bell, of Porter, secretary, and the following were elected as members of the advisory board: W. 0. Schanlaub, of Newton; Charles Burge, of Lake, and Z. M. Burke, of Tippecanoe. Resolution*. The tenth district conference on rural conditions, at Rensselaer, this 13th day of November, 1919, having cognizance of the potential worth of the youth in rural environment and realising the great need of bettaring- conditions so that such youth may come into the opportunities and advantages so rightfully theirs, hereby assign ourselves to the promotion of plans and activities which will tend to bring rural education and social life to a higher plane. We heartily endorse the state deIpartment of public instruction in its efforts to institute a better era for rural youth, and pledge to it our earnest support. -- We believe that rural schools should have a length of term equal to that of any village or town school in the immediate vicinity, specifically not less than eight months. We believe that teachers of equal qualify catjons, training and experience should be employed in them at salaries commensurate with the de-

mands made. ' ‘ We plead for a larger interest in public health, the basis of successful effort; for a broader recreative program; for better housing conditions and improved sanitation; and for the wholesome enrichment of social life through music and the arts, community centers, vocational training and similar agencies. We specially invoke the sympathy and .closer harmony of purpose due from parents and, others who should have these things at heart, and pray that with their endorsement and cooperation we may achieve new things, whereunto rural education and rural life may have the dignity they deserve in the economic position and the focus of true Americanization in our commonwealth. (Signed) C. W. POSTAL (Pres.) Jasper county. „ JOHN BELL (Sec’y) * Porter county. W. O. SCHANLAUB, 1 Newton coupty. FRED H. COLE CHAS. BURGE, ’ "• Lake county. • Z. M- SMITH, 'i, 1 . Porter county.