Sequachee Valley news. (Sequachee [Sequatchie], Tenn.) 1896-1952, 1908-12-24

grade. Beyond that the columns un-
der higher grades are blank. Last year
the enrolment according to grades
stood thus: First grade, lob; second,
,l62; third, 1903; fourth, 1905; fifth.
1854; sixth, 1857; seventh, 1894; eighth
1856 Evidently there is something
wrong with this grading, yet ii is
sufficiently correct to make it clear
that something is radically wrong Ell
Their with the schools, the teacher, the
parent, or the officials in charge-like-
ly all. OF the total enrolment of the
state little less than percent. reach
the eighth grade, and of the total en-
rollment of Marion county little less
than 3 per cent. reach the eighth
grade
A little United States History, a lit
tie geography, a little arithmetic,
little writing. virtually no grammar,
a little algebra that is ALL and then
the student has all that he can get in
the public schools of Marion County.
Seriously, reader, what manner of peo-
pie are we to sit complacently by and
suffer such condition.
A little algebra, half a dozen theor-
ems in geometry, a hazy conception OF
rhetoric-these constitute the best ed
ucational menu our schools offer, serv-
ed, at most. only 81 times year-last
years average school term being only
81 days. What goes with the othey 100
days which every student is justly en-
titled to- And how shall we excuse
ourselves in face of the fact that less
than half of the 8, 7e2 (white) scholas-
tic popula tion is not in regular attend
ance each year; that 70 per cent. OF
those in regular attendance lose over
90 per cent. of the ninety one days
which the county so graciously gives
them; that fully IS per cent. of those
enrolling in first grade, leave before
they reach the seventh grade; that the
children in Marion county are getting,
on an average less than 2y91 years of
300 days each of schooling in a life
time; that Last year only twenty seven
were enrolled in the elements of Agt
riculture,. 80 in the elements of Book
keeping, "a in the elements of Geome-
try and SO, om Think, reader, of what
this-means, iundustrially! We are turn
ing out hua6reds of children every
year into the worlds activities, the
factories, the trades. the industries. as
Ignorant and almost as helpless as kit
tens. They are turned out into world
of fierce competition utterly unfit to
compete, into world of splendid OPP
portunity and possibility without; the
training or intellectual powers to see
the opportunities, much less to- take
advantage of them. And so whenIthe
tidal wave Off hard times comes, we, OF
Marion County, contribute large
quota of our boys and girls to- the
swelling armies of helpless men and
women. In simple truth and sincerity,
it seems that If less than five percent.
of our boys and girls are leaving the
schools befbms they complete theirsec-
ondary, courses, it is high Time thai
the people of Marion county, should
face the problem squarely and honestly
and find its solution.
Count 4. THE DIGNITY OFF A
TEACHERS CALLING I'M OUR
COUNTY,, MEASURED I'M DOL
LARS AND is BEIlOWPAR
Marion county paid to her teachers
an average salary of 1916. 80 lastt veal
fora, term of four months,aasd.a half
The teachers themselves paid oRtr IL
order to enjoy this distinction. ab0u
twenty dollars on a average, ihelud
ing board att Monteagle, railroad fare
primary slhsepskin, chewing gnm. g
cetera ad Observation-Disclosures ant
average pnufit of six or eight d1llar
per month These profitable position
Ewnuld non attract some oftour' effcien
booze-fghters and benefactprs,. VIII
during eAection, distribute mon6y ant
rum, frasly, and draw $500 or $1,000
plus, pen, in the Interim
Now, the question is up to, the pee
pie. off Marion county. Every advance
and. advancing state-or nation of th
world is advancing the dignitp of tn
teachers position hypsging him sa
any commensurate with the work h
does and the Importance of his pos
ton. Is it any wonder thar we hav
not, q corps of efficient teachers an
thoroughly qualiaiedH The wonder
that we have Dmany excellent tea0f
, ems as we do have. Theme, doubtlas
is not teacher in the comnty but VIZ
: is not worth lauch none than the sal
!, | IT he is getting What inducenDsl
+ are we holdiag out t@s really ednci
: ted, practical and efficient tesGhir
= forceG Absolutely none We cam
o get them for we aae not paying Il
: price that it takes TO get them. The
is no NEGATIVE to the teachers Of Il
{ county to go to the expense OF bett
preparing themselves for this wor
u Teaching in MsrhN@ county hiss alwa
d been looked upon rs means 10 an 81
r and not, as it should, an end with
d itself. So long rs this condition O
a tains. just 80 long will we have sy
n tenn of public education which is
l. shame and reproach to any poop
J. Teachers Of New York State recei
- o,,aro1a salaru of kQA M Da, yro,,