Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1916-02-10
rom rural school IeaCner.

from political faint. But In general po-
iitical and personal considerations I'M
pair the vigor. independence, thorough
ness and efficiency Of the school sy+-
tenn The public does not begin to real
lie the seriousness of the political III
lection or the damage 1t does.
The report of the survey says that:
"RNltimore County must he singled
out for especial commentator. Inc
County Superintendent is a man of ex'
perience and modern training: ana ne
is aided by corps Of supervisors, In
Guiding an assistant superintendent.
primary supervisor with an assistant
a grammar grade supervisor with an
assistant. manual training supervis
or, a domestic science supervisor, and'
finally. a supervisor Of rural schools.
but every county in Maryland could
I'D to the limits Of its financial ability
do the kind Of thing that Baltimore
County does. At bottom It depends on
the competency Of the County Super
intendent."
Training Of Teachers.
In discussing the weaknesses or tins
school situation in most OF the coun
ties, the Report points out that the
teaching force of the state'is IN mgr
degree miscellaneous. On this funda
mental point the Report states:
"Regardng the training OF these
teachers. no general statement can pe
made at all. There are the widest pos
sible variations In the training OF teach
ers doing the same grade Of work-iR
conceivable confusion and lack of se
quence and order In their preparation.
"Of over 1900 white elementary
teachers in the state outside OF Baltt
more. 391 n2.7 per cent? have had only
an elementary school education; GA
co., per cent? have spent one or two
years In high school: 1901 1897 per
cent? have completed 4 fouryear high
school curse: only l48-less than >
per cent. Of the whole--have received
standard normal school training.
one.third Of Teachers Unframed.
"Of the rest, some have spent q little
ceived an irregular normal schooling:
a few have been TO college and still
fewer through college. Grouping to-
gether standard normal school. part
college and college graduates. about III
per cent on the elementary teachers OF
Maryland-not more-may he called
we'll trainel: not quite one-third could
on a stretch he called fairly well train
ed; at least one-third are practically
unframed. The body as whole Is
thus heteros eneous to the last degree"
OF the highSchOol teachers. 1t Is
declared that not over two-ffths are
adequately trained.
A revision of the law dealing with
the certifcation of teachers Is therefore
recommended Ms the first step towar,
realizing improved conditions.
Teachers Salaries Too Small.
Salaries are too low 10 obtain well
trained teachers: they range from HI
average Of S271 n year IN st. Mnry's,
to $662 a year In Baltimore County.
Three counties pay an average OF less
than $500; four less than $3.50: seven
less than 800: seven less than $3.50:
and only two. Allegany and Baltimore.
pay in excess Of $3.50"
School Attendance.
The attendance of school children Is
so irregular and uncertain that even
good teachers could not teach success
fnllv 4 thn 81 RI 10 v-ifbnIf m All
tive compulsory attendance law. many
children remain away from school al
together-large numbers begin to go to
school too late or attend irregularly.
The precise extent of this evil cannot
be stated, for there Is no correct school
census.
1t is recommended, therefore, that
the state enact a statewide compulsory
education law including proper provi-
sions for attendance officers and what
ever else is required to make it effec-
tive
Organization.
The schools of Maryland are support
ed In part by county, In part by state
taxation. Some of the counties, nOta-
bly, Baltimore, Allegany, Queen Anne
and Worcester, support their schools
literally; the rest do less and some of
the most prosperous do much less than
they can and should
Help Those Who Help Themselves.
1t is recommended by the Report.
therefore. that the state contribution
should in future be paid to no county
which does not levy for educational
purposes a minimum tax fixed by the
Legislature. The more progressive
counties will, of course. continue to
levy more as they now do.
Again, the state and county organi-
only. The State Department OF Edu-
cation, which should guide, study and
report upon the educational activities
of the entire state. consists Of a super
intendent. his assistant and a clerk.
Nothing Is simpler" says the Re
port than to authorize or require the
State Superintendent to supervise.
inspect, examine or pass upon. But
neither inspection, supervision, nor ex-
animation can avail. unless an ade-
quate trained organization is provided
through which he can work. The
force now at the superintendent dis
pOsal is utterly insufficient. He has
single assistant appointed with the APP
proval of the State Board at salary
Of $1,000 and one clerk at salary not
to exceed $1,000 In addition to his
own salary, he has an expense allow
ance Of five hundred dollars, and one
thousand dollars more for furniture,
supplies and printing. Three persons
thus constitute the entire staff ut the