The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1909-02-11
l, 1909, unless renewed, and 60 of these

l, 1909, unless renewed, and 60 of these
have been thus renewed and reissued.
The aggregate results of these exami-
have been held, as shown by the records
are as follows: Whole number of candi-
dates examined, 4,3O8; whole number Of
certificates awarded, 3, 1856; number lap
sing and not reissued, 1881; number in
force January l, 1909, 1904. Making
allowance for teachers holding valid GER
tifcates who are at work in other States
or have ceased to teach for any reason,
there are probably 1,500 State certificate
teachers now at work in the schools.
QUALIFICATIONS AND SALARIES.
AS to qualifications and salaries of
teachers Supt. Smith says: "The most
pressing needs of Maine schools are
higher standard of qualifications and
higher rate of teachers salary. These
are in reality two parts of single prob
lem, since neither can be secured alone.
Recent agitation for higher salaries has
met with response in nearly all of the
cities and some of the larger towns.
Even with these gains the average sal
airy of Maine teachers is still lower than
that of any of the neighboring States
and it is still so low as to make teaching
unattractive in comparison with other
occupations.
ga second measure for securing
higher standard of teaching qualifca-
tons would be the adoption of method
of requiring State certification in place
of the present method of local certifca-
ton combined with optional State exam
nation. The former method is often
1a1,t to y,,ofbc6 of oil
are often engaged to teach before they
are certified as teachers.
''Only four States permit local certif-
cation Of teachers. These are Maine,
New Hampshire, Massachusetts and Con-
necticut. All other States make uniform
minimum requirements for the various
classes and grades Of schools"
The number of unorganiZed townships
reporting to the State school superin-
tendent during the year was 81; number
of townships in which schools were main
tanned, 46; number in which children were
schooled in other townships, II; number
of different schools maintained, S. num-
Der of children of school age, 1885, num-
Der of children schooled, 566; number in
home schools, $50; number schooled else
where, SO; average daily attendance, 1862;
number of different teachers employed,
60; average weekly wages including
board, $7.75; amount paid for wages and
board of teachers, 81, 7O6; amount paid
for transportation of scholars, $500;
amount paid for tuition, 1898; amount
paid for board of children, $546; amount
paid for fuel and janitors, $494; amount
paid for agents, services, ETC., $3.50;
amount paid for books and supplies,
$3.50; total expenditure for the year,
$1O,9
RECOMMENDATIONS.
Mr.. Smiths recommendations regard
ing legislation are as follows: ''That pro-
vision be made for the required certifca-
ton by the State of all persons employed
as teachers in schools supported in whole
or in part by public funds.
''That the minimum number of weeks
required in the school year be raised from
20 to not less than 26.
''That in the cases of all school build
ings to be hereafter constructed or re-
modelled provision be made whereby
plans and specifications are to be sub
mitted for approval to the State Board
of Health and to the State superintend-
emit Of schools.
'"That the law relating to schools in
unorganized townships be so amended as
to provide method for requiring the
payment of the per capita assessment;
also that the provisions of this law be
made to apply to the tuition of pupils
who are qualified to pursue secondary
school courses.
''That provision be made for the re-
quired or optional physical examination
of school children with medical inspec-
ton of the schools.
''That to the present compulsory edu-
cational law an amendment be added
which shall allow school authorities to
compel school attendance after the 18th
birthday in the case of persons who are
unable to meet minimum educational
test.
''That the requirement regarding the
reports of municipal and school authori-
ties be changed SO that the financial re-
turns may be based upon the fiscal years
of the several towns, with separate re-
turns for financial and educational sta
tistics, the latter conforming to the year
ending July LIST.
''That the law relating to the payment
of tuition in schools having approved Sec
ondary school courses be amended so as
to permit the approval of such courses
for period of one, two, three or four
years; that more specific provision be
made for determining the qualifications
Of students to pursue such courses and