Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1911-06-20

aries; In view or the importance OF thelr
work, the teachers are not sufficiently
well paid, but there is. nevertheless,
gradual Improvement"
EDUCATIONAL NEEDS.
Detailing the educational needs in
Georgia, he says:
1.-THE first of these in my judgment is
the harm resulting from the lack of
promptness in paying the salaries Of the
majority of the teachers of the state.
The injury is felt primarily by the ru-
raj teachers BY May OF this year the
state was able to pay only one-tenth or
the sum appropriated for 1911.
In most counties six-tenths OF the
school term was completed during this
period. For the work already done,
therefore, 1t will be seen that the teach
ers must suffer the loss in interest
where the county boards borrowed funds,
discount their salaries where this plan
was not fo4owed, or wait six or eig.-
months until the fall taxes are received
This delay Is caused by the fact that
other departments are given precedence.
and will continue just as long as the
legislature permits this discrimination.
He suggests the Following remedy:
1T would seem. however, that the
state should adopt the usual business
method of meeting obligations monthly.
If this simple plan is pursued with i'm
of next year, am informed by the treas
ury officials that all debts can be paid
promptly and with no more borrowing
than at present"
He deplores the popular election of
county school commissioners:
Instead of dragging the head of the
county schools into politics IS was done
Through the recent law requiring the
election of county school commission
Eers by popular vote, the child in the
country has all along needed just one
thing-the right to get the best county
school superintendent possible from any
source whatever
There should be county board OF
education elected by the people or APP
pointed by the state board of education
on recommendation. This board should
elect the county superintendent just as
is now done by the cities from the best
material available. The minimum sal
airy should be $1,000 In all except few
smaller counties and the entire time of
this official should be devoted TO the
supervision and direction of the schools
This plan could be made effective upon
the expiration of the term of OFFICE ror
which the present school commissioners
were recently elected"
In regard to teachers institutes ne
says fI
while these meetings have been pro-
ductive Of good, the time has come FOR
change in their management and oper-
alton. Give the department of education
three teach er-raining supervisors and
this institute work can De done with lit
tie, if any more expense than at pres
80 EXAMS OUT OF DATE
He, says of certification:
THE present method of examining and
licensing teachers was perhaps adequate
50 years ago. Today this Is by no means
the case. Besides the elementary and
temporary county certificates at present
granted, professional certificate higher
in rank should be possible for those who
pass a creditable examination in high
school studies.
He says of consolidation;
"A recent decision of the supreme
| court expresses the opinion that the
county school districts under our laws
have the element of permanency.' The
effect of the decision is to hinder and
prevent the consolidation of weak. one
room buildings into strong central
schools. Give two-thirds or even ma
iority of the patrons affected the right
at any time to consolidate weak schools
and to provide transportation when nee
essary7"
He says Of the state board of educa-
ton:
For three years the educational organ
izations of the state have asked for an
increase in the power and duties OF the
stale board of education. This request
will in all probability be presented to
you again this year for your considera-
ton"
He then outlines the condition of the
state boards of education in other states.
COMPULSORY EDUCATION.
He says of compulsory education:
until within recent years the educa-
ton of the child has been considered as
largely atmatter dependent upon the IN
clination Or within of the parent. Public
opinion has changed upon this question
and we have come to believe that the
safety as well as the prosperity of the
state and nation require the proper train
ing of the citizen and the Punishment OF
illiteracy.
''The figures of the census department
show there are 5000 illiterate children
in Georgia Every year there are $4,000
white children from to II who attend no
school.
The state is not able to enforce rigid
compulsory law at the outset, perhaps,
but with proper discretionary power
placed in the hands of the school off
Gals such a measure in the opinion OF
many, would mark distinct step Tor
ward in educational advancement. III II
is not deemed wise 10 pass q SloeS-" WHO
law now, at least we should have the
right TO a local option measure through
which communities and counties already
prepared by public opinion could edu-
cate all their children. 1t Is doubt
full, however, If this concession would be
effective, for it would not for years reach
the evil in its worst form 1t has been
the tendency OF illiteracy to perpetuate
itself These illiterates are the children
and grandchildren of illiterates and the
strong arm of the state seems to be their
only hope for relief. No matter how des-
! perate our efforts. we shall never edu-
cate the children who are not In our
schools"
He concludes his recommendations by
discussion Of the county unit sys-
tenn.
"A defect in our Georgia schools" he
says, mot always clearly apprehended,
but serious in its results. has been the
1 49,