North Dakota Oil Boom Crowding Schools

This is the VOA Learning English Education Report.

The oil industry is growing fast in the American States of North Dakota and Montana. Removing oil from the ground has made a lot of money for the area and provided many jobs. The industry also has brought thousands of people to rural towns that once has small populations. Williston, North Dakota is a good example.

The United States Census Bureau says the Williston area was the fastest growing place of its size and description from July 1, 2011 to July 1, 2012. It said the population growth was 9.3 percent. Adding many people means increased demand for roads, emergency services and other systems, like electricity, heating and water. And more children attending schools can mean crowding in the community’s classrooms.

John Monger was born and raised in Williston. He is taught at the city’s Hagan elementary school for 24 years. For the last three years he is taught in a temporary structure called a trailer, the classrooms are smaller than usual. He started the year with 16 students. Now Mr. Monger has 18 in the small space.

Viola LaFontaine is the leader of Williston public schools, that area of schools is the smallest in North Dakota, but it is also growing the fastest. She says the schools increased their population by more than 1000 students during the past four to five years. The majority are elementary school children. In addition, she says the students come from all over the world.

"I believe its seven different languages that we have spoken in school now. A majority are Spanish, but we have Cantonese, we have French," LaFontaine said.

Ms LaFontaine says it’s difficult to deal with the continuing changes in student population.

"The greatest challenge is the students coming in and out and throughout the entire school year, which something different as well as students leaving throughout the entire school year," LaFontaine said.

The official says it is also hard to hire qualified teachers and to pay for larger and more modern schools. She notes that the state is receiving a lot of money from oil. She has asked the North Dakota government for education assistance.

"North Dakota’s always been conservative. I don’t think that’s a bad thing. But now that you’ve got ample resources, let us have some of it. Whether it’s grants or loans or preferably grants that you could use to really support your schools," LaFontaine said.

Voters in Williston District 1 recently approved a measure to build a new high school. The measure will increase property taxes. But education activists say Williston's taxes are less than those in similar North Dakota communities.

And that’s the Education Report from VOA Learning English. You can listen to our reports at our website or download them. You can follow us on Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter and on our YouTube Channel, all at VOA Learning English. I’m Jerilyn Watson.

词汇解析

debate

难度：4星核心词汇，属常用3000词

英汉解释

n.辩论;讨论

vt.争论;思考

vi.辩论

参考例句

用作名词 (n.)

We had a long debate as to whether we should spend so much money on space technology.

至于我们要否花那么多钱在太空技术上,我们辩论了很久。

用作及物动词 (vt.)

He debated buying a new car, but didn't in the end.

他思量很久是否买辆新汽车,但最后还是没买。

用作不及物动词 (vi.)

This is a question that they have often debated.

这是个他们常讨论的问题。

approve

难度：4星核心词汇，属常用3000词

英汉解释

v.批准;赞成;同意;称许

参考例句

用作动词 (v.)

I approve of your trying to earn some money, but please don't neglect your studies.

我同意你去挣一些钱，可是请不要误了功课。

No teacher can approve of cheating in exams.

任何教师都不能允许考试作弊。

settle

难度：4星核心词汇，属常用3000词

英汉解释

v.解决;定居;安顿;平静;结算

n.背长椅，座位;定居，安顿

参考例句

用作动词 (v.)

They moved the local people and settle them in another place.

他们把当地人迁移到别处定居。

The thunderstorm may settle the weather.

这场雷暴过后天气可能反而好些。

provided

难度：5星基本词汇，属常用1000词

英汉解释

conj.假如;若是

adj.预备好的;提供的

动词provide的过去式和过去分词.

参考例句

用作连词 (conj.)

Provided that circumstances permit, we shall hold the meeting next week.

只要情况允许，我们下周将举行会议。

用作形容词 (adj.)

To get these features working you first have to install the software provided.

获得这些功能的工作,你首先必须安装该软件提供的。

rural

难度：4星核心词汇，属常用3000词

英汉解释

adj.农村的，乡村的，田园的

参考例句

用作形容词 (adj.)

The rural scenery was so beautiful that he decided to stay one more week.

乡村风光太美了，以致于他决定再多呆一星期。

In rural Nepal, owning a book is something many women and children only dream about.

在尼泊尔的乡下,拥有一本书是许多妇女儿童只能梦想的事情。

demand

难度：4星核心词汇，属常用3000词

英汉解释

n.要求;需求

v.要求;查问;需要

参考例句

用作名词 (n.)

The demand for coal begins to slacken off in the spring.

煤的需求在春天开始减少。

用作动词 (v.)

All these questions demand careful and detailed study.

这些都需要认真具体的研究。

mankind

难度：3星常用词汇，属常用6000词

英汉解释

n.人类;男人

参考例句

用作名词 (n.)

Mankind learns its first language in early childhood.

人类是在幼年开始学习第一种语言的。

Genetic engineering will have revolutionary consequences for mankind.

遗传工程将对人类产生深远的影响。

elementary

难度：3星常用词汇，属常用6000词

英汉解释

adj.基本的;初级的;元素的

参考例句

用作形容词 (adj.)

He is ignorant of even the most elementary facts.

他连最基本的事实都不知道。

This elementary school is affiliated to a university.

这所小学附属于一所大学。