FIFTH ANNUAL YEAR BOOK — PART VI. 605 



CONSOLIDATION OF SCHOOLS. 



Consolidation means the uniting of two or more schools, or contiguous 

 districts. Centralization dififers from consolidation in degree only, that is in 

 extent of territory included. Some districts are so located that they may be 

 united (coDsolidated) without involving the necessity for providing convey- 

 ance for pupils, but in most cases it would be necessary to furnish free 

 transportation. The term central school, as generally understood, is a 

 school located at or near the geographical center of a school township. 

 Pupils are conveyed to and from the school at the expense of the district. 

 The number of rooms determines the number of teachers required, as well 

 as the gradation and classification of the school. The school is in charge 

 of a principal, who has, besides supervision of the entire school, charge of 

 the advanced classes. 



At this stage it becomes necessary to examine the advantages claimed for 

 this system over the system of isolated schools. 



THE ADVANTAGES. 



The advantages should also be noted. 



1. That the consolidated and central districts will be furnished with 

 better buildings, is almost beyond dispute. The rooms will be properly 

 lighted, heated, ventilated, and furnished with the necessary apparatus. 

 The seats will be adapted to the pupils, not the pupils to the seats. The 

 seating in a few of our schools is a cruelty to the younger pupils. 



2. The health of pupils and teachers will be promoted. This is true dur- 

 ing the time they are at school, barring the possible spreading of disease by 

 the association of large numbers but carrying a large number of children in 

 open wagons over long distances every morning and evening during incle- 

 ment weather, or carrying them in closed and heated conveyances in which 

 the air would soon be vitiated would be detrimental to their health. 



3. No tardiness and fewer cases of absence, and a better opportunity to 

 enforce the compulsory attendance law. 



4. Better Supervision — In a central school the principal has the direction 

 of all the work of the grades; there is a unity of purpose, and therefore less 

 waste of energy and time of both pupils and teachers. The work of the 

 entire school is systematic. The county superintendent can exercise better 

 supervision over the rural schools. 



BETTER TEACHERS NEEDED. 



5. Better Teachers— This, I believe, should be read, "better teaching." 

 The same teacher will achieve better results in a consolidated or in a central 

 school, where she has fewer grades and classes. She has ample time to 

 prepare for the different recitations. Each class has more time for recita- 

 tions. Since the number of teachers will be greatly reduced, it will be pos- 

 sible to increase salaries without an increase of expenditures. The tendency 



