Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1913-06-14
MANY TEACHERS
WHO CAN'T SPELL

| WhU IAN YtlL
School Inquiry Committee Bears Out
Report Of Professor Elliott Of Wis.
eensin, Whe Has Been Exssninine
Ratings Of New York City School
! Ma'ams-0rastie Reforms urssd.
Many teachers both in the e!euen-
snry and the high schools a. New York
! city are unable to spell correctly aud
are deficient In the proper use vt the
English language. This fact has be-
come known as the result ct an exault-
nation Of the letter files In the Office
Of the city paymaster. made recently
! by committee which has been investi-
eating the schools for the New York
city board Of education.
| The committee searched the flies in
investigating complaint that the
teachers and principals had not receiv-
ed their pay promptly. Representa-
lives of the board of education assert
ed that this was good reason why the
city department should not have con-
troll over the payrolls of the board Of
education. The attention of an examt-
ner was called to several letters ad-
dressed to the city paymaster by school,
teachers now in service and substi-
tutes. which showed illiteracy on the
part Of the writer's.
A collection OF these letters covering
one month was inspected. Out Of 300
letters fled In the month 10 per cent
contained mistakes in spelling and
grammatical construction, and larger
percentage. it was said, showed disre-
gard Of proper form in letter writing.
Elicit Confirms Report.
Professor Elliott Of the University Of
Wisconsin confirms this report In let
ter to the committee after examining
the ratings Of the teachers.
There are today hundreds OF te0eh-
ers in the elementary schools Of New
proved in any progressive school sys-
TEN, primarily on account Of the use
Of broken, highly accented and incor-
rect English"
Tho committee agrees with Profess
sor Elliott in stating that the presence
Of illiterate teachers in the schools is
because 1.-The professional examination
conducted by the board Of examiners
II pure form and all one needs IL to
comply with the letter and not with
the spirit of a thorough understand
ing"
Here are two Of the letters:
Dear Sir I am Teacher at -. I WAS
not at the School yesterday May LIST
whent to the School to dy to ind my
check was sent back to the pay masters
Office. was told to write to you and you
would send me receipt to sign which
believe have to return before you send
check. Trusting this will meet with your
apporuval and will receive a prompt re-
ply. I remain. Sincerity.
Dear Sir: Kindly sent me my June and
July check. am resller teacher. -
In p. 8. No - Queens Borough. -
Respectfully yours.
Letter From q Lecturer.
Another letter written by one Of the
lecturers employed by he board Of
education IS as follows:
Dear Sir. am returning her With receipts
for my lectures fees ha 9 been sur
prised learn Of disguid corrispondence.,
but beg to inform you that did noti-,
ned the Board Of Education Of my change
Of address since September. 1s1l-Since
then will call my mail at my residence.
where me leaving since four years
Also am subscriber to telephone with d.
rector number -. Hoping these infor.
nation will be Of some help In the future.
The committee asserted that these
letters had a direct bearing on the
report prepared BY Professor Edward
G. Elliott Of the University Of Wiscon-
sir The committee said:
"As q result Of his careful analysis
Of district superintendent and princi-
pals rating Of teachers, Professor FL
lott declares that the present inspec.
lions and reports upon teachers are
merely formal and wholly insufficient
and tend to insure their continuance
in service after they are once admit
ted In the system"
The report concludes:
I'm. the light of the incredible ig-
norance on the part Of even q few
public school teachers. careful in.
spection Of the present examination
system 10 indeed urgent This de.
partment Of the board Of education
has not received from the school au.
thorities the serious attention it de.
serves"