The Washington herald., 1907-08-05
American School System.
Some Radical Defects

as high as that of the professional men.
But is il? Theoretically il is, without
question; but practically it falls far be-
low the professions, because II does not
pay enough in the beginning, and very
little more in the end, when the teacher
has reached the highest rung of the lad
der. In other words there is no future
in store for the teacher.
This unsatisfactory condition brings
about a constantly changing personnel in
the teaching force, and causes more in
jury 10 the school system than any
other of its defects The only remedy
is, Of course, to make the pay Of the
teacher In keeping with his attainments
and the dignity of his calling. Then per-
manent teachers will be the rule, rather
than the exception, and permanent teach
eTS will also be the best teachers-and
the best are only good enough for our
children. the future citizens Of this re-
public
Now, I wish by no means to be under
stood as eriticising the body Of teachers
IN the country. 1t is the condition that
needs criticism, rather than the person.
Our young men and women who graduate
from the normal schools and assume tenn
porarily the duties of the teacher do
their duty conscientiously. no doubt, and
certainly earn the p;tiful compensation
that is offered But they do not enter
the schOolroom as the young lawyer en-
ters his Office. He begins his career with
the determination to stick TO his profes-
sion. 10 rise in II, and 10 win for HIM
self honor, fortune, and fame. They be-
gin their school life with, the resolve
10 get out Of IL at the first favorable Op-
portunity.
Politics.
The influences OF politics upon the
school system are an evil which is hard
to eradicate in a country where almost
all questions have a political sice. To
remove the schools from political lnhJ-
ences means to remove them, to an ex-
tent. from the people. Whether this
would be TO their advantage or disad-
vantage Is not easy to decide Still. it
is difficult to imagine why the citizens
should want TO meddle with something
they know nothing about. This, how
ever, is one Of the features OF our re-
public Boards, committees. commits
sions, associations, societies, clubs, and
other organizations without end are a
large factor in the management Of our
public affairs In a sense, this interest
shown by the citizen Is an indication Of
a healthy condition Of the public mind
and should not be discouraged alto
gether
It is the opinion Of many school men
with whom I talked over this subject,
that. while politics can never be elimi-
mated from the schools. a higher order
of politics is superseding the lower and
that this Improvement IS noted all over
the country. There are, Of course. many
instances still, where incompetent teach
ers, totally unfit for the schOOlroOm, and
charged with ineficiency by the superin-
tendent. are retained through political
influence. I know of an especially glar-
ing case, where a notoriously Inefficient
teacher, and a bad grammarian IN the
bargain, was appointed superintendent Of
the schools of State when the polit-
ical party with which he was affiliated
happened to come temporarily into DOW
er. Still, in spite Of all such happen
ings, the evil effects of politics upon
the schools are not as Injurious as the
defects before mentioned, because they
are not so all-peTvading.
Incidental Evils.
The selection Of school books by the
school boards is quite a common prac-
tice in our school system. True. the su-
perintendent is supposed to recommend
and advise but the school board has the
final decision, and frequently decides
over the head Of the superintendent, or
without consulting him at all
If we examine the qualifications neces-
ssry to make a proper choice Of text
books, it will become at once evident
that the school board is a useless ap-
penGix, which. If not removed, will cause
the school system to die of appendicitis.
The textbook must be adapted to the
age Of the pupil in its diction; the words
used must not be too far beyond the
limits Of the child's vocabulary: the
subject matter must be in harmony with
the course of study and must be free
from complexlty.
Only those who have dealt with the
mental development Of children for years
are capable OF selecting the proper text
books. and It goes without saying that
any activity in this direction on the part
Of school boards, as now constituted falls
nothing short of impertinent interference.
1t is beyond my comprehension how men
who deal in butter and eggs, or doctor
a case Of measles, or defend a prisoner
charged with stealing chickens. or sell
calico by the yard or bolt, can have the
assurance TO meet as a school board at
night and coolly buy a lot OF books.
which their own children will probably
have to use, and which they know them
selves to be incompetent to examine,
criticise, and pass upon.
This reckless purchase Of school books
has been the cause of another evil.
which, at times, becomes almost epidemic
in the country, ] refer to the constant
change Of school books. This is not
alone expensive financially to the tax
payer, but also mentally to the child