Excerpt from Country Life and the Country School: A Study of the Agencies of Rural Progress and of the Social Relationship of the School, to the Country Community

This book is for farmers and country teachers, written not about them, but to them. It takes form as the direct outgrowth and personal need of eight years' work in country teaching and the training of country teachers. Many of its pages were written within the walls of a country schoolroom, and practically all of its suggestions have been tried with success in average country communities.

The fundamental line of thought here maintained unfolds as follows:

First, that the chief relief for the present undesirable conditions of country life is to be realized through the cooperative endeavor of farmers and the upbuilding of local country communities.

Second, that the country school of all rural social institutions makes the best and most available center for upbuilding the rural community, and bears at present the greatest responsibility for socializing country life.

Third, that to realize this social service of the country school country teachers must become local community leaders.

And fourth, that to fulfill this office of leadership efficiently country teachers must be afforded special training through state normal schools and other institutions of learning. The discussion thus presented views the country school as an immediate agency for rural progress, and to this end seeks especially to stimulate and assist country teachers to local leadership. In realizing this purpose a twofold task has presented itself.

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