Lexington gazette. [volume] (Lexington, Va.) 1871-1962, 1905-05-03
Discussion of Our Educational
Policy

Discussion of Our Educational
Policy
EDITOR GAZETTE Among the
State offices soon to be filled by pop
ular election is that of Superintendent
of Public Instruction. Mr.. j. A. Nc
Gilvray, for twenty years chief clerk in
the Department of Education, is
candidate for State Superintendent.
He favors: Increased school funds.
local and State; a nine months school
term; high school accessible to every
child; well-trained teachers; closer
supervision; library for every public
school; introduction of agricultural
andindustrial training; Improvement in
school houses ard grounds; organiza-
ton of Citizens Education Associa-
tions after the plan OF the Richmond
Education Association and Others"
There can be no doubt that this is
an admirable policy. But let us have
some practical suggestions as to the
means by which 1t is to be put into
execution. For instance, take the
subject of "well-tralned teachers"
We already have several institutions
which exist for the purpose of train
ing teachers. but their graduates are
not sufficiently numerous to supply
the demand for capable teachers.
One of the questions that teachers
answer when applying for certificate
or license to teach Is. ''Do you expect
to make teaching your profession for
lifef' The answer is almost invari-
ably in the negative. The young men
teach until something more lucrative
offers itself; the young ladies teach
until they get married. or, failing In
this, they take up some other Of the
numerous employments which are now
open to women and which pay better
than teaching. II the majority OF our
teachers could be induced to serve for
ten or twenty years before retiring
from the profession, the normal col
leges could then furnish graduates in
sufficient number to fill vacancies
caused by death or resignation.
The pay OF teachers should depend
upon the length of their successful ex-
perience. AS to scholarship tested by
examinations, all should be required
to attain certain standard OF ex-
cellence. The examination includes
questions regarding the theory and
practice OF neutrality-suspicious. call
ed pedagogics-but skill in applying
the principles of pedagogics to the
actual work of the school room can be
acquired only by expsrience-with an
exception in favor Of those rarely
found teachers who succeed by reason
OF an Unborn fitness for the professor.
Mr.. McGilyray favors nine motnhs
school term. would rather have it
ten months, This, without increasing
the monthly stipend, would double
the teachers yearly income. The
effect would be, in some cases, to re-
tain the teachers permanently in the
profession. In other cases, 1t would
hasten the time when the business
Of teaching could be abandoned for a
more profitable one. Except in the
case ofsuperintendents and principals,
1t is impossible to offer male teachers
salaries that will compete with the
inducements held out by other profess
sions.
At present the rural school is gen.
orally assigned to some inexperienced
Young woman, WHO, notwithstanding
the "Rrst grade certificate" she holds,
fails to give Satisfaction to the patrons
of the school. Next year she teAches
in another locality-with the same
result. Disheartened, she makes no
further attempt to teach. The reason
Of her failure Is not want Of prepara
ton. She is a good scholar. Per
thaps wltl efficient supervision during
her first years experience. she would
have acquired the practical skill that
would have made her services valu-
able. How to secure this efficient
supervisioH--or HeIoser supervision
rs Mr.. McGilyray calls It's not the
subject | am now discussing. The
question to which wish to direct at
tention is, How shall we maintain a
corps OF experienced teachers In the
rural districtsf
! would suggest that the contract
with an inexperienced teacher should
be for three years-subj sct. OF course.
to cancellation by the trustees (for
cause) at any tine. TIE GALAXY should
DO $50 per month, but part Of it should
be contingent upon the teachers
success. Let US say that the school
term is ten months. The first years
salary should be paid monthly. In in
stallments of $50, leaving 800 due at
the end of the term. This balance
would be forfeited il the trustees see
fit 70 CANCEL the contract. On the
other hand, If they are pleased with
the way in which the school has been
conducted, the teacher should receive
a lump sum Of $50 at the end Of the
term; the payment of the remaining
$50 of the 6rst years salary should be
deferred to the end of the three years.
engagement, II the teacher resigns
before the three years are out, she
loses this reserved payment. During
the second year the monthly pay.
ments should be $25, leaving $50 due
OF the end Of the term, payment OF
hi oI cl, n no dofa hnf f<