The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1905-03-07
SMITH GOES DEEP
into MERIT SYSTEM
Delivers Exhaustive Address
on Subject Before
Principals

In an exhaustive address upon the
merit system in engaging and compen-
sating teachers, Supt. Smith of the
public schools laid before the principals
OF the city schools in their monthly
meeting yesterday afternoon the pIaus
adopted by various cities and plans
which he thought most feasible for use
In the schools OF st. Paul.
Much or his information and many
OF his suggestions were the result of
the general discussion OF the merit sys-
tenn which took place during the meet
ing last week in Milwaukee of the ma
tionaI educational association. where
the superintendent was present. He
said the plan that seemed to attract
the most attention, and upon which the
others were largely founded. belonged
to the city of st. Louis. Its features
are the appointment of teachers be-
cause of proficiency, or promise Of
proficiency; the investment of nominal
lions IN the superintendent; the in
crease of salary with the efficiency of
the teacher, and the security of the
teacher as long as the work is satisfac-
tory. The sources from which the
school draws its teachers are the CITY
training classes and from those uuali-
fed outside, who hold diplomas or GER
utcates, or have passed the required
examination.
Graded on Points
The teachers are graded according to
the following points:
Department in the school room of
teachers and pupils; attention to the
details OF classroom work; scholarship;
professional zeal and interest; ac-
quaintance with those subjects relating
to psychology and pedagogy that are
deemed necessary TO the proper under
standing of the duties and work of an
instructor; personal qualifications.
He dwelt at some length upon the
compensation system employed in KAN
sas City. where teachers are paid a
basal maximum salary of 1920 a year,
but are allowed by professional study
or prescribed subjects to secure an adj
vance in salary of $40 per year. This
rate of increase is kept up indefinitely
as the teacher grows more proficient,
no figure being set for the limit, this
matter being left to the Judgment OF
the superintendent and the principals.
Supt. Smith said that he believed the
Kansas City the best salary system.
In getting down to actual local con-
ditions, Supt. Smith said: THE point
of differentiation at present is deter
mined by responsibility, and in a city
the size of st. Paul the difficulties are
not so much that IL is impossible. with
the aid of our training school and uni
Versity, TO approximate uniformity
among the members of the several
groups. If We could cordially, frankly
and fairly accomplish our whole duty
in this matter. as choice between an
attempt to advance the salaries of a
few by some system OF merit, or at
tempt TO advance the salaries OF the
many by disposing of a few incompe-
tents, the latter seems the better
method, but it involves duties on the
part OF the principal that ought to be
seriously undertaken and courageously
executed. The principal should not, in
confidence, or as a matter that is not to
be spoken of. communicate to the board
or its executive officer, the superin-
tendent facts concerning failure and
success OF the teachers, directly under
his Or her charge. / am not sure but
that the six points mentioned by the
schools of st. Louis offer suggestions
that we might follow wisely and with
satisfaction to all concerned, and upon
this point 1 desire to consult you. I
know the difficulties in the way of the
reforms recommended and the conse-
quences are far from being pleasant
sometimes, but certainly this is included
in the duties prescribed for principals
and there is every reason why they
should fearlessly and faithfully dis
charge this, as other duties intrusted to
them.
ITO summarize then: We need a
higher maximum. 1 am not sure that
the minimum should be increased, but
the schedule should probably be so ar
ranged that it would reach the maxi
mum in five years instead of seven
years. A more definite plan. under
which in the assignment of salaries,
full account of the degree of RESPONSE
bility involved would be taken. The
means of dispensing with the services
of those who no longer grow, or care to
grow, in their profession"