_g._ Lack of recreations and amusement 12 4. Recent tendencies toward progress in agricultural pursuits 12 5. The loss of rural population to the cities 13 =The Adjustment of the Rural School to its Problem= 1. Failure in adjustment of the rural school to its problem 17 2. The rudimentary education received by rural children 17 3. Failure of the rural school to participate in recent educational progress 18 4. The rural school inadequate in its scope 19 5. Need of better organization in the rural school 20 6. Inadequacy of rural school buildings and equipment 21 7. The financial support of the rural school 22 8. Summary and suggestions 23 II. THE SOCIAL ORGANIZATION OF THE RURAL SCHOOL =The Rural School and the Community= 1. The fundamental relations of school and community 25 2. Low community standards of education 25 3. The rural community's need of a social center 26 _a._ Its social isolation a serious drawback 27 _b._ Grave moral dangers arising from social isolation 28 _c._ Rural environment more dangerous to youth than city environment 29 _d._ Effects of monotony on adults 30 4. The rural school as a social center 30 5. The ideal rural school building and equipment 32 6. Social activities centering in the school 33 7. Reorganization needed to make the rural school effective as a social and intellectual center 34 =The Consolidation of Rural Schools= 1. Consolidation the first step toward rural school efficiency 35 2. Irrationality of present district system 36 3. Obstacles in the way of consolidation 37 4. The present movement toward consolidation 38 5. Effects of consolidation 40 _a._ On attendance 41 _b._ On expense 41 _c._ On efficiency 42 6. The one-room school yet needed as a part of the rural system 42 =Financial Support of the Rural School= 1. Lack of adequate financial support of rural schools 43 2. Difference in city and rural basis for taxation 44 3. Low school tax characteristic of rural communities 45 4. State aid for rural schools 46