Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1907-10-08
TEACHERS WAGES
ARE INCREASED
in IOWA
REPORTS TO SUPERINTENDENT
RIGGS SHOW GENERAL AID.
vANcEs-SHoRTAGE NOT
AS BAD AS REPORTED.

Des Moines. Oct. 4.-Substantial IN
crease in the wages of Iowa teachers
is shown by the reports from more
than sixty county superintendent to
State Superintendent Riggs in re-
Spouse to series of Inquiries recent
ly promulgated by him.
A very large majority of the coun-
ties report that in most of their dis.
tricts the average rate of wages paid
to teachers has been advanced.
The reports of the county superin-
tendents also show that there is not
such a shortage of the supply Of,
teachers as the people have thought.
Probably 1t is larger than in former
years, but not substantially greater.
Fifteen Questions Asked.
1t was in response to these inquir-
les that the general information rela-
tive to shortage in supply Of teachers
and the increase Of teachers wages,
generally, throughout the state, was
secured, and it is thought entirely
unlikely that the report from the other
thirty or more counties will make a
change in the statistics.
First-How many schools in your
county are at this date (Oct. 1, 1900,
closed because suitable teachers can.
not be secured?
Second-What salaries are offered
in these schools?
Third-How many schools In your
county were closed at this time last
Sear because suitable teachers could
not be secured?
Fourth-How many persons do you
know Of in your county who hold
teachers certificates, but who are not
at present employed?
F4fth-HoW many Of these would
accept schools at good wages?
Sixth-To your knowledge or belief
has any one examined since October
1. 1906, been denied a certificate who
you believe should have received one?
SEVENTH your answer to ques-
ton No. 6 is eyes," how many such
cases, and why do you think the case
or cases have not been fairly deter
mined?
Eighth-What per cent Of your
schools are paying higher wages than
were paid a year ago?
Ninth-About what is the average
increase per month III these schools
Tenth-In how many rural schools
in your county are the teachers con-
tracts made for the entire school
year?
Eleventh-Is this number greater
than year ago? If so, how much
greater?
Twelfth Why, in your opinion. is
there difficulty at present in securing
an inadequate supply of competent
teachers?
~ .
1906 an examination of teachers was
held in each county, either at the
close or Immediately preceding the In
st1tute. What is conservative estl'
mate Of the cost to your institute
fund Of that part Of the services rem
dered by your institute instructors in
assisting in this examination and in
reading and marking answer papers
(New superintendent need not
answer).
Fourteenth-Prior to Oct. 1, 1906,
about how many days per year did
YOU spend in holding teachers exam
nations, reading and marking answer
papers, writing certificates, and mail
ing returns Of examinations? (New
superintendent need not answer.
Fifteenth-Under the new certif.
cate law about how many days per
year will be required Of the county
superintendent in conducting examin-
atoms, in mailing returns and in re.
cording and registering certificates?
Superintendent Riggs expects to be
able to furnish the state with some
very valuable statistical information
relative to the schools, from the com.
pilation of the returns from the coun.
ty superintendent.
In answer to question No. IL rela.
tive to the supply Of teachers and the
shortage alleged, to exist. many In,
teresting replies are being received
by the superintendent. One enthusiasts.
tic and energetic correspondent de
clared that the reason there was diff.
fculty was because the newspaper re
ports as to the new certi1cation law
had been absolutely unfair and un.
just.
All the information received is cou.
fidential as to the source.
NNnrprtH