The Denison review. [volume] (Denison, Iowa) 1867-current, 1906-02-01
CRAWFORD COUNTY SCHOOLS.

Inc present general shortage OF
teachers over the state of Iowa and es-
pecially in Crawford county,is Great
ing no little thought and discussion
among our people as to just what is
the best thing to do. A month ago
we sent requests to about thirty five
of our leading school officers, patrons
and teachers asking them for their
opinion on the following proposition
What is the best remedy for the pres
ent shortage of teachers? l, raise
of salary, 2 lowering of the stand
ard, 3, township consolidation of
schools, 4, in closing the small schools
and transporting the pupils to the
others.
The answers sent in are very inter-
esting since they represent the ideas
of all classes concerned about this
school question. Following is sum-
mary of the replies we received:
l. Something must be done, as it
is manifestly unjust to deprive the
children of any district of school priv
ileges simply because a teacher can
not be had when there are number
of remedies at hand.
2 About three-fourths of those
interviewed favored raising teachers
wages. Following are quotations !:
"The teacher is but wage Garner.
She brings her ability to the highest
mark as farmer brings his hogs. >"
"The present shortage of teachers is
due to the lack of sufficient compensa-
tion. "Raise the teachers wages
and keep up the grades on the certifi-
Gates. By doing this Crawford coun-
ty can have the best there is to be
had for her schools 81 believe as
teacher, that teachers wages are
about commensurate with other con-
ditions and relations. Many of our
schools are so low in attendance that
the cost per month for tuition is from
Sc to $12. From this it would seem
that consolidation of schools is at least
essential to economy" 81 would
say wages for the school teacher in
some cases seems small but when they
take into consideration they work only
120 hours in month for about $50 to
$35 per month and | know of one girl
in town that works 800 hours in a
month and gets only $35 per month. ;"
Note-A teacher who saw the last
quotation made this explanation.
The true teacher works 1870 hours in
month instead of 100. The deep sea
diver works only couple of hours a
day and gets fabulous wages. The
nerve-racking, health destroying quail
tiles of the work should be
considered as we'll as the time used in
qualifying for it. -
= 3. Not single person advocates
lowering the standard-a number
urge that it be raised. GAS to re-
ducing the standard of the teacher let
that be the last resort. - "Under no
circumstances would I lower the
grades of certificates. F" AS to the
alternative of lowering the standard,
let me say, .'no, !" with as much
emphasis as | can command. That
course would be backward and hence
untenable. Considering the num-
Der of pupils 10 to II years ago who
drop out of school mainly because of
lack of ability in book learning and
mental development on the part of
teachers to hold them in school. l
would say by no means lower the
standard and add to this evil. -
4. The advanced grade of teachers
and many of the school officers and
patrons interviewed, urged township
consolidation as the real and permanent
remedy for many of the present short
comings of our school scheme.
Consolidation is the best remedy
for shortage of teachers, as teaching
seems to be going out of fashion,
81 would heartily recommend con-
solidation where possible 1t would be
hard matter to do in Bower town