Evening High School - Owl Yearbook (Reading, PA)

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THE OWL burden from real estate and insure to each community in the State at least a minimum program of education. 4. Instruction in the school must be vitalized and courses and classes offered which will prepare boys and girls to assume their responsibilities as citizens, giving them civic, social and vocational competency. With these steps accomplished the second century of free public education will be launched into a career of pub- lic service far beyond the fondest hopes of its founders. In this centennial celebration let us pay a tribute to the memory of George Wolf, The Father of Free Public Schools in Pennsylvaniaf' to Thaddeus Stevens, whose noble defense saved the school law at a critical timeg to Samuel- Breck, chairman of the legislative committee charged with drawing up the law of 18345 to Thomas Burrowes, early Superintendent of Common Schools, and the thousands of faithful teachers, statesmen and citizens who have made public education a successful part of the life of the Commonwealth. JAMES L. RULE Superintendent of Public Instruction.

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THE OWL ONE HUNDRED YEARS The history of public education in Pennsylvania dates back to the first settlers. In the early days of our Commonwealth, Penn's frame of Government definitely considered education as a public function. The Provincial Council of 251 years ago enacted legislation To the end that poor as well as rich .may be instructed in good and commendable learning, which is to be preferred before Wealth. The ground-Work of a sound system of education was Hrmly established in these early days and led finally to the passing of the Common Schools Law in 1834. Subse- quent attacks on the free public school system re-enforced the determination of the people to insure an education for for all the boys and girls of the Commonwealth. The Constitution of 1873 made mandatory a system of public education wherein all of the children above the age of six years might be educated. In the one hundred years which are just being com- pleted, Pennsylvania has rounded out a significant mile- stone in her educational history. Pennsylvania's Educa- tional Charter, which has been adopted by the schools of the State, sets forth a bill of rights for the development of education for the citizens of the Commonwealth. Changing social and economic conditions make neces- sary changes in the organization and administration of education if a square deal is to be guaranteed to all. There are four problems which are particularly significant at the present time: 1. Efficient administration of schools requires a unit sufficiently large to support a meaningful educational program. 2. Good schools cannot be had Without good teachers. It is extremely important that proper personnel be select- ed for training, be trained, placed, guided, and adequately protected .in their rights. 3. A square deal can be had only when there can be an equalization of support which will remove the heavy

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THE OWL EDUCATION These quotations are carved over doorways of the Education Building at Harrisburg : Let our schools teach the nobility of labor and the beauty of human service. - Peter Cooper. No man can leave a richer legacy to the world than a well educated family. - Thomas Scott. Ignorance is the curse of God. Knowledge the wing wherewith we fly to heaven. - Shakespeare. The teacher, whether mother, priest, or schoolmaster, is the real maker of history.-H. G. Wells , Learn some useful art that you may be independent of the caprice of fortune. - Cato Education for all the people is AH16TlC3,S noblest con. tribution to civilization. He who will not answer to the rudder must answer to the rock. Culture is the power of appreciating life and making life worth appreciating. The world is upheld by the veracity of good men. They make the earth Wholesome. Democratic government can be predicated only by universal education. It is not in ignorance but in enlightenment that con' tentment will be found. fArchitects are unable to provide sources for the quotations list. ed here without credit. If anyone can supply the information, please address the Editorzj