LA 1922 Lf ORui,-- '--'^■'^"-A \IL/X' t-i u c /-\- r I N\u -•■ -) IJ P, V/; ^ ^ ■■ V t_: i-'M-L-i/-.:, C Class _ i^, /^ ^ (o ^ 1^ p. X Educational Survey -ol- Stephens County Georgia By M. L. DUGGAN, Rural School Agent AND EURI BELLE BOLTON, Extension Dept., G. N. L College No. 36 Under Direction of State DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION M. L. BRITTAIN State Superintendent of Schools 1922 Educational Survey -ol- Stephens County Georgia By M. L. DTJGGAN, Rural School Agent AND EURI BELLE BOLTON, Extension Dept., G. N, L College No. 36 Under Direction ofStak II DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION M. L. BRITTAIN State Superintendent of Schools 1922 1 l^^ I STEPHENS COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS Hon. Thos, G, Walters, County Superintendent, Toccoa, Ga. County Beard of Education Hon. J. S. Crawford, R. F. D. 2.. - Toccoa, Ga. Hon. Sloan Bruce, R. F. D. 2 Avalon, Ga. Hon. Arthur Andrews - Toccoa, Ga. Hon. W. P. Farr, R. F. D. l... .Toccoa, Ga. Hon. J. M. Farmer, R. F. D. 1 Ayersville, Ga. LIBJ^RT OF CONGRiss" DOCUMENT* DIVISION TO PUBLIC SCHOOL OFFICIALS AND CITIZENS OF STEPHENS COUNTY: From illustrations and descriptions and reports of the schools of Stephens county as given herein it will be seen that the public school situation isnot such as to excite the pride of the citizens or afford a fair opportunity to the children, and it is very clear that the entire county school system must be reorganized before a basis can be laid for adequate educational facilities for the children of the county. The problem, which is the most important one confronting the people, shculd be considered as a whole rather than from the standpoint of any one school or locality. It is a county- wide problem of far-reaching importance, and well deserves the most serious consideration of all good citizens. It is not even second in importance to permanent good roads or streets or court houses. No school in the county can ever attain its highest effic- iency or render its greatest service until every school in the county is made a good school. Each one is more or less de- pendent upon and influenced by every other one, and all should be organized into a harmonious educational system with the purpose of providing for every child in the county equal and adequate opportunities for a thorough education. This can only be done by a business-like organization well indicated by experience and opinions of public school admin- istrators, and the unselfish cooperation of all the citizens of the county. Such reorganization will first involve abolishing the legal wall of separation in educational matters set up by special legislation around the towns of Toccoa and Martin, and mak- ing one cause with the rest of their county for a thoroughly efficient educational system. This can be done as it has been done in many other Georgia counties, without any sacrifices, financial or educational, to either of these Stephens county towns. On the contrary, there is much to be gained by both towns from cooperating in such proposed reorganization. Still more would be the gain to rural sections of the county ; and no good fortune can come to any part of the county with- out being shared by the county seat. The public schools at Toccoa and Martin have probably about reached their full growth and development already until they can render bet- ter service and receive better support for their county, and to perpetuate their limitations would be selfish, non-progres- sive, and suicidal policy. A PROPOSED COUNTY EDUCATIONAL SYSTEM An efficient county educational system should contem- plate r 1. ONE COUNTY SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL of eleven or twelve grades well provided with suitable libraries, labora- ♦'ories, etc., and free in its high school grades to all the chil- dren of the county. No system can be expected to produce satisfactory results without including some n^o asions for professional training of its teachers, and therefore this school should offer an approved Tescher Training Course from which most of the teachers for the county would come. 2. ONE COUNTY YOCATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL, well equipped for vocational education, and free to all the children of the county who desire vocational training. This school would contribute greatly to the material progress and prosperity of the county, and for this reason should be liberally supported by the county. 3. TWO OR THREE JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOLS should be provided. (Later on this number would be increased to four or five.) Senior high school subjects cannot be taught well without reference libraries and laboratories and in schools of more than five teachers. Conveniently located junior high schools can do good preparatory work at less cost to the county and without taking young pupils away from their family influences and control. 4. Where for lack of sufficient support and patronage Junior high schools can not be justified there should be pro- vided primary and elementary schools of one and two teach- ers each. These should never be nearer than four miles of other schools (See Ga. School Laws, Art. 6; Sec. 117.) They should be well housed and equipped, and provided with capable teachers. For the sake of thoroughness in the fundamentals of education it is most important that they be limited to four or five grades at one-teachers schools, and seven grades at the two-teacher schools. More grades al- lowed will result in such lack of thoroughness as will hinder the normal progress of pupils as they are advanced. Pupils above such grades should attend the nearest Junior high schools or one of the Senior high schools. Transportation should be provided if distances are too great. (See Ga. School Laws, Art. 5; Sec. 93). LARGER SCHOOL DISTRICTS AND SCHOOL LOCATIONS Practically all of the school Distrcts are smaller in area than is contemplated by law. (See Ga. School Laws, Art. 6; Sec. 117). In order to comply with the law, and for the best interests of the cause, we recommend t^at the Board of Education lay off the county into larger school districts wherever possible. In the upper portions of the county this is not practicable, except in a few instances, on account of the mountains and dangerous streams. In a map sub- mitted we have indicated approximately where it seemed desirable to enlarge the Districts. It would not be p'^actica- ble for us to indicate more definitely without a much better knowledge of land lots, land lines, public roads, streams, etc., but it will not be difficult for the county school authori- ties to indicate such exact descr'ptions as the law requires. Their good judgment may also suggest some changes in the tentative map submitted. Laying off larger schoo' districts does not necessarily mean immediate changes in school locations, or that only one school can be permitted in a district by the Board. However, the permanent loca- tions of the schools in every district is an important matter deserving serious consideration. Generally accessibility will be the determining factor, although there are apt to be other important local considerations in each case. In cases of Junior high schools such considerrtio s ?s prospects of patronage in the higher grades, the rumbe; of te?.chers that can be provided, etc., will usually determine pro^oer locations. As to the proper locations for the COUNTY SENiOR HIGH SCHOOL and the COUNTY VOCATIONAL HIGin SCHOOL there can be no doubt. These could rot become debatable questions in the mind of any thinking citizen. A BUILDING PROGRAM Any wise reorganization policy must contemplate a build- ing program far beyond any immediate realization. All buildings should be carefully planned with reference to their use and future demands. There would be immediate need for a well equipped Senior High School building at the county seat adequate to the constantly increasing educa- tional demands of the county. For equally important coun- ty-wide service more room and very much better equipment should be added to the County Vocational High School. Entirely new buildings will be necessary for all the Junior High Schools. New buildings 'or completely remodelled buildings should be provided for all the primary and elemen- tary schools, exvept at Fairview, which will before long require additional rcoms and teachers. This school will later most probably become a junior high school. Important permanent public improvements are nowhere rndertaken now except by bond issues. Ga. laws provide for issuing bonds for building school houses by c::unties or by school districts. The latter plan would probably be most satisfactory in Stephens county, as each school dis- trict would thus incur obligations only for its own buildings. ADMINISTRATION AND SUPERVISION No public school system such as is proposed for Stephens county could not be thought of without adequate admin- istration and professional supervision. Full time with prop- er compensation should be required of a superintendent, and constant professional supervision should be provided. The business of educating and training the children of the county is a very serious undertaking, but nothing pays bet- ter. Education comes high, but ignorance costs vastly more. Upon the educational policy of the county depends largely its future prosperity. The responsibility of determining that policy is placed upon the county Board of Educatioon, and they deserve the sympathy and cooperation of all good citizens — men and women. The public school funds of the county received from the State and collected from the people are partly wasted be- cause the public schools are failing to educate the children. The time has come when the people will not complain at a high rate of school tax provided it is so administered as to give their children a good education. Like any other "big business" this can only be accomplished through proper or- ganizati:n and efficient administration. Given the best and most progressive county public school system in the State and Stephens county would soon stand at the head of the list in material prosperity. No other public enterprise could so greatly cr so universally benefit every citizen or" property owner in the county. There is no good reason for further delay. The State Department of Education stands ready to render every possible asistance. (NOTE— Free and frank discussions and criticisms of these re- commendations by all interested citizens of the county most cordially invited, and their active combined eftorts toward ci'eating an improved public school system for the county confidently expected. — M. L. Duggan, Rural School Agent for State Department of Education). 6 SCHOOL CONDITIONS IN STEPHENS COUNTY Buildings and Equipment All of the one-room school buildings and all of the two- room buildings except the one at the Fairview School have been poorly planned or built without any plan and are wholly unsuited to school purposes. (See pictures and descriptions for details). As a general rule the one-teacher school buildings consist of one rather small room. There are no cloak rooms nor halls nor rooms for industrial work of any kind. The classrooms of the one and two-teacher buildings, with one or two exceptions, are lighted by 6 or 8 small win- dows placed on two, three, and in some cases four sides of the building. In many of the buildings the amount of win- dow space is insufficient; and the windows are placed at long distances apart causing shadows and cross lights, which are injurious to the eyes of the pupils. There is not a jack- eted stove nor a correct system of heating in any school in the county. Most of the buildings are unpainted. Many of those which have been painted are colored on the inside in dark grey, dull green, or bright blue. These colors are not pretty and they have a very bad effect on the lighting of a classroom. Even the larger school buildings at the Avalon and the Martin Schools are just as poorly planned and as unsuited to school purposes as smaller school buildings. One of the worst conditions exist at Merritt's School where two teachers are trying to teach 75 pupils in one small room. The pupils are crowded together three on a seat. In many of the small schools there are no good black- boards, and in many others the amount of blackboard space is insufficient. Teachers cannot teach writing and number work without good blackboards. In many of the one- teacher schools there are no desks. The children sit for long hours on long uncomfortable homemade benches. As a result of leaning over in order to read their books, which are usually held in the lap, the children develop stooped should- ers and in some cases curvature of the spine. This lack of comfortable desks not only impairs the health of the pupils, but makes the school work more difficult. There are very few charts, maps, globes, or pictures in any of the schools. The buildings at the Fairview School stands out in sharp contrast to the buildings described above. This building is according to a State approved plan drawn by one who under- stands the principles of school architecture. The two class- rooms are of standard size and are correctly lighted — the light coming from the east and from only one side of the building. There is a long hall in which individual lockers will be built so as to provide a place for each child to keep his wrap and lunch. In addition to the classrooms, there are two rooms providing space for a school kitchen and for a dining room and library combined. The school has a good library consisting of 175 well selected books. The classrooms are seated with single patent desks and other school equipment is being added as rapidly as the funds can be raised. The teachers and people are consulting school experts about the colors to be used in painting the building, about sanitary toilets and the best plan for improving the school grounds. As a result of their co-operation with the county and state educational officials there will soon be de- veloped a modern school plant efficient in every detail and capable of rendering the best service to the boys and girls who are to be trained there. The Toccoa Lake School build- ing was built without any plan and even though it is new, it is as unsuited to school purposes as the dilapidated build- ing at the Merritt's School. This is a natural result of a lack of professional direction and supervision. Country boys and girls deserve as good, comfortable, attractive and well equipped school buildings as do the boys and girls in any community. SHORT SCHOOL YEAR AND SHORT RECITATION PERIODS For the past ten years the country schools of Stephens County have had an average school year of 5 months. The Toccoa School and other good schools in the state have a nine months term. Children in the country schools have no more ability than the children in Toccoa or the other systems. Can they do the same amount of school work in five months that the children in the other systems do in nine months? Added to the inequality in the length of the school term is the inequality of teaching time per grade in the small schools as compared with that in the larger schools. The teachers were asked to send in daily schedules of work show- ing the number of minutes given to each recitation. Only a few schedules were sent in, but they reveal some interest- ing facts. The teachers in the one-teacher schools have an average of 36 recitations per day and the average length of each recitation period is 10.6 minutes; the teachers in the three-teacher schools have an average of 18 recitations per day and the length of each recitation is 20.8 minutes. In one one-teacher school only 60 minutes during the entire day are devoted to two sections of the first grade ; in another 8 85 minutes are devoted to three sections of the first grade; while in one of the three-teacher schools 220 minutes per day are devoted to two sections of the first grade. From these figures it is cjle.^rly evident that the primary children in the small schools are receiving very little of the tescher's time. There are not so many pupils in the upper grades in the small schools as there are in the lower grades, but these few upper grade pupils have two or three more recitations per day and about twice as much of the teachers' time as do the small children in the lower grades. And yet children in the lower grades are practically helpless and stand in greater need of help and direction from the teacher than the older children who have learned how to study. The teachers in the small schools can not do their best work because they have too many grades to teach. If a teacher can give only 10 minutes to each recitation, she can not possibly do her work as thoroughly as a teacher who has 20 minute recita- tion periods. QUALIFICATIONS OF TEACHERS The teachers in the one and two-teacher schools of Ste- phens County are not so well prepared for their work as the teachers in the larger schools. Three of the 22 teachers in the small schools have had a normal training; 11 are high school graduates and 8 have had less than high school schol- arship. Eighteen of the 23 teachers in the larger schools (the schools having three or more teachers) have had either normal or college training; 3 are high school graduates and 2 have had less than high school scholarship. The teachers of Stephens County, on the whole, are better trained than the teachers in many Georgia Counties, but from the figures given above it is quite evident that the professional strength of the teachers, especially in the small schools, is far below standard. A large number of the teachers in the county are graduates of the Toccoa High School. If the high school at Tcccoa would offer a Teacher Training Course as an elec- tive for those seniors who wish to become teachers, it would render a much greater service to the county than it is now doing. In order to improve the present conditions of the schools it will be necessary to have a better trained corps of teachers. The teachers could do much better work if they served for a longer time at the same school. Of the 45 teachers whose qualifications were studied, 27 were teaching at their present school for the first time. It takes a teacher at least a year to learn her puipls, patrons, and community and their various needs and problems. If she goes on to another school at the end of the year she has no opportunity to do any constructive community work. The Board of Education could encourage the teachers to overcome this handicap by offering- a graduated bonus for length of service. CLASSROOM WORK In order to get some idea of the quality of classroom work being done in the schools, educational tests were given to the fourth and the seventh grades in each school. The time for making the survey was so limited that it was im- possible to give the tests to all of the grades. These two were selected so that some study might be made of the primary work and the upper grammar grade work. These educational tests have been given under the same condi- tions to thousands of pupils in representative schools in all parts of the United States. The median or average scores have been found and are called Standard Scores. The Stand- ards for each test, therefore, represent what average chil- dren should be able to do in each subject if they have been well taught. The results of the tests are not tabulated in this report, but the scores made by the pupils in the various types of schools have been compared with the standard scores and from the comparisons some definite conclusions may be drawn. 1. In all of the schools in the county the work in read- ing, writing, language, and arithmetic shows a serious lack of thoroughness. The scores made in comprehension in reading by the fourth grades in all of the schools are more than a year and a half below standard and the rate scores are more than a year below standard. (The comprehen- sion score in reading represents ability to get thought from paragraphs read. The rate score represents the number of words per minute.) The scores made in comprehension in reading by the seventh grades in all of the schools are nearly two years belcw standard in comprehension and are more than three years below standard in rate. Pupils who read so poorly as these scores indicate can not do thorough work in history, geography and the other school subjects, for ability to learn any subject depends upon ability to readi understandingiy the lessons assigned in that subject. The scores made in arithmetic by the fourth grade in all of the schools are below the standard score for the third grade; the scores made by the seventh grade are below the stand- ard score for the fifth grade. The work in writing and com- position is correspondingly below standard. It is absolutely necessary that children have some degree of mastery in 10 handling these tool subjects of learning if they are to pro- gress through the grades satisfactorily. It is also impor- tant that they master the work outlined for each lower grade before they are advanced to the higher grade. If pupils attempt work for which they are not prepared the work becomes a burden, and their lack of thoroughness in- creases as they advance. As school work becomes increas- ingly irksome because of their not being able to do it well, they lose interest and then drop out of school before they reach the upper grades. We must see that our children are well taught in the lower grades if we expect them to stay in school and secure a high school education. 2. The upper grades are further^ below standards than the lower grades in all of the subjects in which the tests were given. In spite of the short school term, irregular attendance, and short recitation periods, all of which make it difficult for pupils to complete the work outlined for each grade, they are promoted at the end of the term. As they are promoted from year to year their lack of thoroughness increases. 3. The work being done in the one and two-teacher schools is not so thorough as th^ work done in the larger schools of the county. The poor quality of work being done in the small schools is due to conditions fairly shown in this^ Bulletins. i n EDUCATION DAY IN STEPHENS COUNTY, DECEMBR HTI Two Thousand Children from the Schools of the County. 1: Toccoa High School, Prof. Edmund Wroe, Superintendent. 2: One End of the Line of March. 3: Indian Pageant on Court House Lawns. 4: Grand Stand, Toccoa High School Athletic Grounds. ESTANOLLEE SCHOOL Teachers: A. H. Johnson, Miss Alberta Wright, Miss Daisy Hayes* Mrs. A. H. Johnson, Mi^s Jewel Hayes, Mrs. L. T. McLain, Miss Dona Wiley. Location: R. R. Station ond Toccoa and Elhe.tori Ry., Nine miles South of Toccoa. Grounds: Area 10 acres; titles in County Board; Wooded except one acre; two pumps and buckets; a school garden; supervised play; sanitary toilets. Building: Value $20 000. CO; eight rooms; good condition; four cloak rooms; good ventilation. Also Domestic Science building, shops, teacliers home, etc., value $3,000.00. Equipment: Patent desks; homemade blackboard; 1 globe; Some agricultural charts; some maps; a few pictures; a library; no reference dictionary; laboratory equipment for agricul- tui'e, domestic science, etc. Organization: Seven teachers; 11 grades; 2c 5 enrolled; programs posted; vocational agricultu.e; domestic science provided for; nine months school year. Maintenance: 13 MARTIN SCHOOL Teachers: Pi'of. W. R. Eskew; Miss Ruth Dean; Miss Mai'y Sadie Isbell; Miss Lucille Roark, Legation: Avalon li/4 miles northwest; Line 2 miles southeast (Franklin Co.); Tom's creek 3 miles southwest. Grounds: Area 2 acres; titles in Board of Trustees; partly impi-oved; some play equipment; supervised play; no gardens; two san- itary toilets; a covered well. Building: Value $4,5CO.0C; 4 rooms; lighting bad; insufficient win- dow space; needing repairs; well kept; no cloak I'ooms; plastered iniide; brick outside. Equipment: Double and single patent desks; poor black boards; a few maps; no charts; one globe; no pictures; a very small library; no reference dictionary; a piano. Ofganizatiort: 4 teachers; ten grades; 115 enrolled; no probrams posted; no industrial work; a literary society; a Woman's Club; eight months schools year. Maintenance: i?3,000.00 per annum from City and state. 14 f>- \ i AVALON SCHOOL Teachers: Prof. J. M. Skelton, Miss Bessie Collins^ Miss Oma H. Thomas. Location: Martin 1 mile southeast; Eastonollee 3 miles northwest. Grounds: Area one and one-half acres; titles in County Board; some play equipment; supervised play; no gardens; sxi surface toilets in poor condition. Building: Value $1,250.00; three rooms; very bad lighting-; good condition; well kept; no cloak rooms; painted inside and out- side. Equipment: Double patent des^:s; one teachers' desk; two tables; insufficient amount of blackboard; one map; some primary charts; one globe; a few pictures; no library; a reference dictionary. Organization: Three teachers; ten grades; 130 enrolled; no programs posted; no industrial work; a Canning Club; a Literary Society; Seven months school term. Maintenance: 15 FAIRVIEW SCHOOL Teachers: Mrs. Frank Simpson, Miss Caroline Stovall. Lccaticn: Rock Creek 4 miles northwest; Eastanollee 6 miles west; Avalon 4 miles southwest. Gccunds: Area 12 acres; titles in County Board; well kept; spacious play grounds; no equipment; supervised play; vegetable and flower gardens; two surface toilets in fail- condition. Building: Value $3,500.00; properly lighted; new; well kept; cloak rooms; painted outside. A modern building buUt by State approved plans. Equipment: Single patent desks; good hyloplate blackboards; three good maps; a globe; no pictures; a library; two sets of refer- ence books; no reference dictionary. Ofgaitizaticn: Two teachers; seven grades; 58 enrolled; programs posted; a Parent-Teacher Asociation. Seven inonths school year. Maintenace: $973.00 per annum from county. 16 BIG A SCHOOL Teachers: Prof. T. G. Walters, Miss Ora Belle Kesler, Miss Nellie Walters. Location: Rock Creek 4 miles; Eastonelle 5 miles southeast. Grounds: Area 2% acres; titles in County Board; well kept; flower gardens; supervised play; some play equipment; two surface toilets. Building: Value $2,000.00; three rooms; good condition; no cloak rooms; painted outside and inside. Equipment: Double patent desks; teacher's tables; good hyloplate blackboards; no sand tables; no charts; no globes; a few pictures; a small library; a reference dictionary; a covered water cooler. Organization: Three teachers; nine grades; 145 pupils; programs posted; no clubs; seven months term. Maintenance: $1,487.50 per annum from County. 17 UNION HILL SCHOOL Teachers: Prof. C. F. Fisher, Miss Leone Collins, Miss Lula PuUiani, Location: Three and one-half miles northeast to Tom's creek; 4 miles to Eastonollee; 5 miles southwest to New Hope. Grounds: Area 1^^ acres; titles in Trustees; unimp-oved; no school gardens; supervised play; one sui'face tcilet in good condi- tion. Building: Value $2,500.00; three rooms; very well lightad; well kept; two cloak rooms; painted outside. Equipment: Double patent desks; hyloplate blackboard; four maps; no sharts; no pictures; a globe; a bookcase and a few books; no i-eference dictionary; a teachers' desk. Organization: Three teachers; nine grades; 91 enrolled; no program posted; no industrial work; no clubs; GVa months school year. Mdintenace: $1,5.57.50 per annum. 18 NEW HOPE SCHOOL Teachers: R. N. Dover, Miss Ruth Kirk, Miss Hortense Pulliam, Mize, Georgia. Location: 4V2 miles west to Cannon School. Grounds: Area V2 acre; titles in Trustees; wooded; small play grounds; no school garden; surface toilets in very good con- dition. Building: Value $1,700.00; three rooms; lighting from west; insuf- ficient window space; two cloak rooms; ventilation very good; painted inside and outside; well kept. Equipment: Double patent desks; good blackboard; no maps; no charts; no globes; a few pictures; a reference dictionary; no library. Organization: Three teachers; nine grades; HI enrolled; program posted; corn and pig clubs; parent-teacher club; School year 28 weeks. Maintenance: $1,331.75 per annum from County. 19 ROCK CREEK SCHOOL Teachers: Miss Eva Camp, Mrs. G. W. Thompson. Location: Big A four miles west; Eastanollee 4 miles southwest. Grounds: Area, one and one-fourth acres; titles in local trustees; no equipment; no gardens; water secured from open spring; one surface toilet in fairly good condition. Building: Value $1,200.00; improperly and insufficiently lighted; ceiled; well kept; no cloak rooms; unpainted inside; painted outside. Equipment: Double patent desks; no teachers's desks; good black- board, but an insufficient amount in primary room; no charts; no library; one picture; globes. Organization: Two teachers; 8 grades; 88 enrolled; no program posted; no industrial work; no clubs; seven months school year. Maintenance: $891.50 per annum from County. 20 CARNTIS CREEK Teachers: Mr. Eart Tliomas, Mrs. Carrie Hurst. Location: 2 miles no.tlnvest to Merritts .Acad