New Ideals in Rural Schools

The monograph analyzes rural education's shortcomings and proposes practical reforms: increased and fairly distributed funding, stronger state supervision coupled with local responsibility, and consolidation of small districts when appropriate. It recommends curricula and teaching methods rooted in local life and agriculture, improved teacher preparation and school equipment, and designing school buildings to serve as neighborhood social centers. Emphasis falls on cooperative relations among patrons, educators, and administrations to make schools vital community institutions and on concrete organizational steps for implementing these changes.