Ashland tidings. [volume] (Ashland, Or.) 1876-1919, 1914-07-27
Comparison is
Convincing

If we in Oregon think our public
school system is up to date and eff
clent, 1t might be we'll to compare
1t with those of some of the eastern
or mid-western states. Some of the
far eastern states are acknowledged
to be the most advanced. Wisconsin
has an excellent reputation in that
line, while other states of the upper
Mississippi Valley are rated as good
but not notably excelling. Minnesota
is in this class. But compare the
Oregon school requirements with
those of Minnesota, as indicated from
the following, clipped from the Min
neapolis Journal:
III. l.. Harter, county superinten-
dent of schools, today called atten-
tion to law passed by the 1918 leg
islature.
The law provides that after Aug
ust |, 1915, first grade certificates
shall be issued only to those having
had a course of training prescribed
by the state superintendent of educa-
tion or have taught successfully for
eighteen months prior to that date.
This will apply to all teachers of
high schools, grade schools, rural
schools and teachers of special de-
partments.
while anyone of good character
who can successfully pass the exami-
nations and secure a limited certifi-
cate of the second grade will be per-
mitted to teach without this profess
sional training, it becomes more and
more difficult for such persons to
secure schools" said Superintendent
Harter. Besides, the schools en-
ploying such inexperienced persons
are poorly equipped, have only six or
seven months school and usually pay
the teacher $40 or $45 per month.
There are only five or six such
schools in Hennepin county and they
are looking forward to something
! better.
Young women who wish to teach
should first take professional train
ing. This can be done in our normal
schools or in our high school train
ing departments. During the past
year ] have carefully observed the
work OF our normal girls at Hopkins
and st. Louis Park. They are better
equipped for rural school work than
many who have been teaching for
years.
-Four years ago l predicted that
professional training would soon be
required of teachers. 1t will not be
many years before it will be required
| in order to secure any, kind of GER
tificate. 1t certainly is more neces'
sary for beginners and teachers OF
rural schools than for any others
Rural teachers have the most diff
cult tasks to perform of any in the
entire profession and there is where
we need trained teachers.
"The requirements for admission
to all normal schools should be al
least graduation from four-yeaI
high school course or the equivalent
Professional training cannot be given
profitably to those who have not al
least four years of high school work
as a basis of intellectual develop
ment.
"In every normal school arrange
ments should be made so that every
head of a department at least should
have a sabbatical year on full pay to
be devoted to study and travel"
Oregon cannot reach this standard
in one jump, but it can make a splen'
did beginning by providing more nor
NAL schools. In the last analysis the
teacher is the school We can best
improve the schools by supplying
them with teachers trained for theil
work.