Evening journal., 1916-11-18
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 1s, 1916.
RuRAL TEACHERs ANp EFFICIENCY.


MKOsT persons will agree we feel sure with the
IVA sertion made by j. L. McBren, School Extension
Agent for the United States Bureau Of Education. that
many Of the rural schools in the United States
in need Of teachers who better qualified TO do the
work than those employed. According TO
Mr. McBrien, one-third OF the rural teachers
for the country at large have professional training
The average scholarship OF this class OF unframed
teachers is little than eighth grade educa-
ton.
There $4,000 one-teacher rural schools in the
United States. Il is conservative. therefore TO say
that there 10000 rural teachers in this country
with only elementary education and professional
training There is one State in the Union that has
1000 teachers with only seventh grade educa-
ton and professional training, in charge OF its
rural schools this year There several states that
number their rural teachers in this class by the thou
sand and there States that count their rural
teachers in this class by the hundred.
Another third OF the rural teachers Of the United
States have only limited amount. Of professional
training and average their scholarship is not
above the grade. that is two-year high schSpl
education beyond the eighth grade. There are at
least 10000 teachers in this class. Mr.. McBren says
majority Of the remaining one-third OF the rural
teachers Of country have the average only a
fouryear high school education which includes from
one to two years attendance State normal school
the professional work given In the junior and
ior years in Misunderstanding Oh schools several
summer terms at schools for teachers.
These the conditions that face in the quah
cations our teachers. The problem that
fronts us he says is how to improve these conditions.
It is the purpose Of the Bureau OF Education to issue
series OF talks in effort TO show the country how
10 solve this most important problem in American
education today. The fact that have 10000
teachers without adequate preparation for their work
is enough TO the public mind this question
10 such a degree that within the decade shall
have a sufficient number Of teachers with adequate
training every rural school in the United States
Here n Delaware Dr. Charles A. Wagner. State
Commissioner OF Education, and the County Supern-
tendents are making determined effort to improve
the quality OF the teaching in the rural schools One
OF the chief obstacles they have encountered. how
ever has the poor salaries paid TO teachers in
many OF the rural districts In view OF the money
paid for service such districts It is surprising that
they good service they do at present and
as they have received in the past
II those rural districts which now have inefficient
teachers really desire efficient ones, they must pay
salaries that will attract them. In these days eff
cheney not only expects but II has right 10 demand.
proper compensation. While there many efficient
teachers in Delaware who work faithfully for grossly
inadequate pay that does alter the general
proposition that suficiency OF salary makes for EN-
cheney OF teaching because Il stimulates those whose
efficiency is being starved and eliminates those who
have no efficiency to offer in return for the money
pad by district