The evening herald. [volume] (Albuquerque, New Mexico) 1914-1922, 1918-06-22

DRlOR to admission into the Union, New Mex
L ico's progress in education was slow. The adj
vances made in the years since statehood was ac-
complished exceed the whole growth of the pre-
vious twenty years. This is not a generalization but
is proven by statistics available in the Department
of Education.
The Territorial revenues for school purposes were small, and
tue Territorial government had ma means Tor increasing them
III" present large and growing revenues from the state lands
were not then available. There was uu aid from the Federal GOV.
now with hose Of Territorial days is. therefore, of little value
Comparison of educational conditions now with fhosc cNisiiup in
l9l2 viii show the growth that has been accomplished.
In 1912 the states expenditure tor public elementary and
high schools was SOL, Ioi73, and for other schools NiSO,7l}0o,
a Total school expenditure Tor the year Ell Si.E}5l20O
IN l9ltlG the total cNp"ndimr' for education Was S2.lI3,
od2l2, Of which 81 ,Hi2,59l9l WAS Tor elementary and high
schools, and S151 .f2O;39 for other educational institutions, with
an additional s53,liGSs tor the Blind aud Deaf and Dumb
schools.
In 1917 1913 the school revenues FROM taxation alone total
S|,9iiTf2l, and from other sources. SN5l,l55, the bulk of the lat
ter being from The state lands. This total of s., 79i, 40 does not
include capital expenditures for new buildings and campus i'm
plovrmcnlN, ana rh" total estimated school expenditure for the
present fiscal year will approximate S300o,O00.
in 1912 more than onc.hnlf Of the school districts in New
Mexico had five months of school or less. In l9l519l6 400 dis.
WictS had from l2l to lA0 days of school, 80 districts had more
than $50 days and in only seven districts were The school terms
less than III DAYS. in those being from iOl to ~ davs
Ia 1917 1918 all school districts had a compulsory seven
months ,crm, and the average school term Of all districts in the
state was 81 months.
of women teachers SlS0S5. In 1917 1918 he average salary N
men teachers is SOTO aud 10 women teachers SI}l, the average Of
dl. I'Hi ~ I'lIE "
In 1919 only TS of The school districts owned their own
buildings, the remainder renting quarters which were generally
inadequate. illliehlcd aud msanitary.
In 1918 l,32j districts own their own buildings, the average
OF the equipment being high, and representing an approximate
total invest mcut ia buildings and grounds of 81 0OO,OOO.
The school enumeration for 1918 shows u total of l2l 800, of
whom there are G2,5ll boys aud 59.3lS girls Of school age. The
actual enrolment of The public schools ia 1918 was 79,lsl, au in.
crease Of >. 100 over The previous year.
In 1912 here were ,l9S teachers employed.
in 1918 the total of teachers employed in New Mexico is
3,15S. of whom 2,J2l are employed IN public elementary and high
schools. lS4 in the states higher educational institutions, 225 in
church and private schools, and $50 in Indian schools.
has more than doubled and the average efficiency of the indiyid
uMl. teacher has advanced in even greater measure. In 1872 the
average grade teacher held q third grade certificate. At present
u large majority hold first grade and professional certificates.
The standard is being advanced with every wear.
The day of he incompetent tcachcr IN the public schools Of
New McNico is ended. Every teacher who obtains 4 position now,
even in The most remote aud he poorest school district, is re-
qmrcd To prove competency in crrtihcatim aud i'm practical work.
Industrial and agricultural clucutim. school Fairgrounds,
social ccutcrs, night schools aud other features ot progrc>iy" mod
cu education are reaching not ouly he children hmt the parents,
and are carving the states public educational equipment aud
service into The homes of The people. The system Is reaching and
actively combating illitcracy, and IL rapidly overcoming It, The
advance has hecu sufficient 10 prove conNinriuglN The efficiency Of
the system and 10 indicate what may be- expected IN results with
continuance Of efficient direction Of The states public schools.