The San Francisco call., 1904-12-18

salaries of the public school
teachers of California 1t is a
measure that is fraught with
consequence to the entire school sys-
tenn and hence. as education ls the
foundation of the State, Is Of univer-
sal interest.
From the standpoint of justice to
the teachers the plan merits the most
careful consideration. Though the
cost of living has largely increased
within the last five years. teachers sal
aries have not in this State, with the
exception of few cities, been al
vanced. Wages and salaries In nearly
all other pursuits in life have been IN
creased, while the compensation or the
I teacher has remained practically sta
tionary. The mere statement Of this
fact proves the contention or the
teachers that they are entitled to equal
i recognition. A circumstance which
! has an important bearing upon this
question of salary advance, from an
equitable point of view, is that the
teaching standard is quietly but con-
stantly rising. Such is the insistent
+ demand of this age for the best in
struction obtainable, SO great are the
opportunities afforded for gaining
knowledge in the fields of science.
history, the languages and literature
that the great body of teachers is real
izing as never before the Importance
of their own individual growth Helps
of every kind abound in the nature OF
professional journals and books, prt-
vate instruction, university extension
courses, institutes, State associations
and summer schools. All these have
their value in raising the ideals Of an
instructors life and in molding that
important element of a teachers In
fiuence, but too often underrated In
the selection of teacher-the ele-
ment of a strong, sincere character.
1t should not be forgotten that the ac-
QUESTION of these rich essentials Of
power involves not only expenditures
of much time and strength, but an un-
ceasing outlay Of money.
TEACHING STANDARDS.
Before answering the query. What
are the teaching standards now re-
quired in progressive regions?" it will
not be amiss to look for a moment at
those of an older time. AS late as 1910
the district schools of New England
had in their winter term the sole term
of the year for scholars Of all ages.
The teachers were generally men who
were working their way through the
academy or college. They were paid
$40 or $12 per month and boarded
round in the different families OF the
district. The qualifications required
were mainly those that Lincoln de-
81 In
writin' and cypherin' TO the Rule Of
Three"
What are the teaching standards Of
to-day? In brief, compared with
those of 1S40, the difference is almost
immeasurable. In no uncertain man.
ner the leading and even the lesser
cities are demanding that their teach
ers must have obtained professional
training Normal school training for
the grade teacher and collegiate edu-
cation for the high school instructor
are rapidly becoming the requisites to
employment in the best cities through
out the land. Scholarship that is both
broad and deep, close professional
touch with current events and techni-
cal knowledge for particular positions
are assuming greater Importance in
every successive year with boards of
education in all parts Of the country.
Increase of teachers salaries Is not
only demanded by sense of justice to
the profession, but also by that senti-
ment which is said to know no law
the sentiment of necessity. The expe-
rience of the last three years shows
that it is impossible to retain the serv-
ices of the best men teachers on exist
ing salaries, for the simple reason that
other pursuits will afford a larger in
come.
FEWER MEN TEACHERS.
Not only are the ablest men leaving
the schools, but. as must necessarily
follow, few are preparing to teach. 1t
would be grievous misfortune to the
public schools of the United States If
the teaching force was composed
wholly of either one of the sexes. 1t
can hardly be questioned that in what
is sought as the ultimate products of
the schools. the foundation Of citizen
ship and the formation of character,
both masculine and feminine influences
should be blended. Women are in
comparably the best teachers for
young children and for others till they
reach the age Of adolescence. Con-
ceding that some women are so COM
pletely endowed that they are emil
nently successful as sole teachers of
youth and as principals, it holds as a
general truth that when the stormy
period of adolescence is reached there
is vital need of a power which will not
only supplement but will be the com
plement of woman's grace and per-
suasiveness. The virile influence of
strong, forceful manhood is then re-
quired, absolutely so with boys and
but little less with girls.
In admirable words recent writer.
Richard l.. Sandwich in the Popular
Science Monthly has stated the atti-
tude of boy nature at this stage of life.
Mr.. Sandwich says: AT this age bows
begin to notice differences of sex. They
are proud of their masculinity. The
voice changes; they are conscious of
superior strength and they love to
show their muscle. They cultivate