The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1907-01-13
SCHOOL TERMS
ABLY DISCUSSED
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Address OF Examiner E. II. Rus
sell Before Recent Educa-
hI tional Conference.
EXCEPTIONALLY FINE PAPER
EXCEPTIONALLY FINE PAPER
Points Out the Need OF Longer
Terms and Better Pay of
Teachers.


lie school examiners. made the following
very interesting address before the recent
educational conference in this city. On the
subject of Length of School Terms and
I'ay Of Teachers:
Sirginii. people cling to the spirit OF
local self-government. The adherence to
this principle Is due TO strong belief
that 1t is essentially necessary for the
most efficient and satisfactory admins
tration OF public affairs. 1t ls indeed
gratifying that there is no part OF our
civic life moro firmly fixed upon this
idea than our present system Of public
schools. Tho hand OF the Commonwealth
SIS extended only to arouse the Indifferent,
10 strengthen the weak. and to protect
them all: and so far as consistent with
the general good OF the entire State. the
management OF each individual school is
left to the people OF the community which
ii IL intended to serve.
YotI gentlemen, as trustees know the
local conditions OF your respective COM
munitles. and 1t is your wisdom that
must determine the policy of administra-
ton best suited to meet these conditions.
a successful school system is creature
of evolution. and must be sufficiently elias
t!ce to afford wide range for the dis
erection OF the local officials in meeting the
needs and wants Of their people.
/ extend unusual Difference to the faith
full school trustees. because l see him
as one whose service is Largely patriotic
and rendered too frequently under adj
verse criticism: one with whom COLI
scientious performance OF duty often
means dscord to his peace OF mind and
violence to his relations with friends and
neighbors. Slow em to express opinions
on subjects that have received from you
such careful consideration, and indeed I
would not presume TO speak at all. had
] had been for a numbers OF years fav-
ored with the association. experience, and
wise conclusions OF some OF our most
efficient trustees. Since very few gen
eral laws can be enacted that Will uni
formly bring satisfactory results, It lis
wise that great power rest with the local
school trustee.
Particularly does this apply In the mat
ter OF the SALARY paid the teachers and
The length OF the school term. The
teachers salary. TO the extent that tho
funds permit. Is entirely within tho power
pf the trustees: while barring the mini
mum State requirement for the primary
and grammar schools. the Same is true az
TO the length OF the term.
Discretionary Matter.
> II is your privilege to pay tho teacher
as much or as little as you please. and
after observing the State requirement.
keep the schools open as long as you
wish. Again. there Is no law compell-
!ng you to observe any particular rule
in fixing salaries. I am aware OF the
unw!sdom OF suggesting any fixed invio-
Table rule to apply throughout the State.
yet we believe in well-pa!d teachers. and
as nearly as practicable niDe-months'
session. Every life must have an ideal,
every effort a purpose. We may not be
able TO attain our desire. but inability
should not argue the error OF tho ideal
or destroy its stimulating effect upon
tho effort. While all will agree in favor
OF wel-paid teachers. We are not SO con-
fldent OF an endorsement OF nine-
months session.
The opposition however. does not come
from the favor Of a shorter term. but the
recognition. under certain local conditions,
of the difficulty 10 secure the longer one
Before discussing the meagreness Of the
salaries paid our Virginia teachers, II
may be we'll to consider whether they
are In oil cases wisely fixed. There are
certainly two elements that should help
determine teachers salary-the ability
of the teacher and the amount OF work
required.
How to regulate the salary In accord
must be solved by the local trustee. There
is no trouble to agree on tho unwisdom
of paying all teachers the same But is
1t wise to pay all whd hold first
grade. certificate a certain salary, and
all who hold a second-grade certificate a
certain salary, and so on, ACCORDING to
certificate held? This is convenient
plan. and consequently popular; but do
we not in these respective olasstications
discount the value OF successful expert
ence. discriminate In degree against
the efficient teacher, and destroy the in
centive for progress?
Should Have More Pay.
Undoubtedly the holder of tirst-grade
certificate should receive larger salary
than the holder of second-grade. and
IN each case the ADVANTAGE should be
with the holder OF the higher certificate.
But should all holders of the same grade
of certificate receive the same salary?
have In mind lady who taught twenty
years ago on first-grade certificate
for certain salary for certain term.
She taught last session on flrst-grade
certificate for the same salary for the
same term. She Is a good, enthusiastic,
and capable teacher. and I am sure she
Is more efficient than she was when she
hrst received tho first-grade certificate
who are Just beginning with first grade
certificate.
Possibly solution would be for the
State to fix a minimum salary, based upon
tho grade of certificate held. This would
place premium upon higher certificates
and establish comparative uniformity, and
give opportunity for exercise of discre-
ton by the trustees In recognizing ex-
perlence, ability, and service. But. in the
absence of State regulation. the coun-
w or district could adopt the same
course.
After all is said, the equitable method
OF fixing salaries is for tho trustees in
their GOOD Judgment to determine each
Individual case according to Its merit.
Throughout all the history of the world
tho teachers have been considered among
the greatest henefactors of the human
race, Yet by some peculiar, ,nexplainable
attitude OF mind, they have received. and
do to-day receive, less compensation for
their services than any other class of
workmen. There are no people In Viz
Enia who render to their State service
In any degree comparable to that of the
teachers who do not receive far greater
Ito. fIyt.t