The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1902-04-11
MUST FACE IT SOON
IMPROVEMENT OF RURAL SCHOOLS
DISCUSSED BY ASSISTANT ST.
PERINTENDENT SCHULZ
BETTER SALARIES NECESSARY
of MinaesOta's School
Population Hampered by Con-
ditions Which Need ITnmc-
diate Attention.

Assistant State Superintendent c. Cr.
Schulz, in speaking OF the agitation
among educators for better rural schools,
says:
1.-The total public school population Of
Minnesota today is 100000, and Of this
number three-fOurths are enrolled in the
rural schools The average length or
school terms in rural districts is seven
and two-tenths months for each year. The
average length of time which each pupil
has attended during the year is four
months. The total number of teachers
employed in the rural schools is 5000, and
our statistics show that of this number
less than one-twelfth have been engaged
to teach in the same district continuously
for three years or more. Four ffths OF
these teachers were employed for a single
year only. The average salary Of female
teachers in these schools was $3l and for
male teachers $3S per month.
In the graded. schools of the state the
average length Ct the school year is nine
months and the average length Of time
each pupil attends is six and one-half
months. The total number of teachers in
these schools Is 4,000 of which number
one-third have held their positions con-
tinuously for three years, and over one
sixth for two years. showing a small frae-
ton of the total have been retained for
one year only. The average salary Of
teachers in these schools has been S57 fer
male and $42 for female teachers.
Comparing the statistics showing the
professional preparation Of the teacher in
the two different schools we find that OF
those employed in rural schools less than
one-fifth are graduates of normal schools,
or have at any time attended normal
schools; one-half are high school grad
yates, or have at some time attended high
schools; while in the graded schools one
half are either normal school graduates
or have attended normal school, and a
considerable number are either college
graduates or have had college training.
AT "a Disadvantage.
''These facts clearly indicate that in re-
spect to school attendance length Of
school term and the professional qualifica-
ton and preparation of teachers and sal
aries paid, the school in the rural COM
munity is placed at a decided disadvan-
tage when compared with schools in more
thickly settled communities.
How to change these conditions and
to give the boy and girl on the farm
the same opportunities and advantages
for school attendance and to offer them
instruction by equally competent and pro-
fessionally trained teacher is the problem
which the school men in Minnesota are
called upon to solve and to which their
most eacnest attention must be most i'm
mediately directed.
I'VE need more permanency in the en-
ployment Of rural school teachers. A
great many school officers have the mis-
taken idea that it will not be we'll to
engage teacher for more than a very
limited term. Under such a discouraging
system the best kind of work cannot and
will not be obtained.
Then again it is necessary for school
officers to consider that if they would Sc
cure well qualified teachers, and expect
to retain them for more than a temporary
engagement they must pay larger sal
aries. Our rural schools can afford to
pay higher salaries than the majority CT
them are now doing for able, well quail
flied and progressive teachers"