Page:American Journal of Sociology Volume 11.djvu/677

INCREASED USE OF PUBLIC SCHOOL PROPERTY 661 and value of the proposed extension, before the latter will recommend the increased levy, or the former support it. In some cities the school board has not the authority to appropriate funds for most of these forms of extension.

For the evening schools it has been found that a specially qualified list of teachers is demanded, that special kinds of courses and methods must be devised. All this means increased equipment. There are other difficulties, such as irregular attendance, fatigue, and short terms. Most of the things that are in the way can be overcome by a wise campaign of education of and by public-spirited men and women, public-spirited clubs and associations, school officials and tax-payers. In this educational role is found the work of some of the most important clubs and associations in the large cities, while the social settlements are accomplishing much in this same direction. There are thus united a large number of people in providing for the foreigners whom we welcome, and the boys and girls whose school days have been foreshortened by industrial demands, the opportunities of a free public-school system; united in an effort to discover for the industrial shut-ins of our crowded quarters some place for social life under wholesome conditions. They are characterized by a commendable zeal, believing their work is the logical implication of a free public-school system, recognizing it as necessitated by and natural to the changed industrial life of the age and our people, inspired by the educational ideal of a complete manhood and womanhood, and fearless to go the full length of democracy. They are in earnest, for, in addition to opening summer schools for the children of the street, giving a new chance to young people who have had to leave school too early, encouraging the ambitious foreigners who desire to learn the English language, and providing a social center for the neighborhood, these promoters of the increased use of public-school property have ambitions that through these efforts they may bring parents and children closer together, promote local and racial assimilation, overcome opposition to our public-school system on the part of some foreigners and certain religionists, provide classes and studies in civic relations and duties; and thus further the