New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1918-06-23


NAL College of Georgia was unable te
fill seventy-five vacancies. The problem
in New York is merely part of nation
wide problem, but unless protective
measures are adopted the public schools
of tour state will be supplied with those
who are inefficient and unqualified to
give high grade of instruction. At
tendance at New York City's three
training schools within the last few
years shows a reduction of approx
mately so per cent.
Why Teaching Is
Under Cloud
Meanwhile, many are turning from
teaching to other professions. "Any-
thing but teaching" is the slogan among
the ablest high school and college men
and women. The causes for the swift
decline in willingness to adopt teach
ing as a profession are not hard to find.
It is said the idealism that once illumi-
mated the work Of teaching has become
attenuated. The training schools are
devoid of the JOY of living. The teach
ing of psychology is separated from the
practice. There is tendency to make
teacher ga mere cog in a soulless
educational factory, rather than man
among men,"
sNon-helpful supervision is given as
another potent factor in causing both
men and women to leave the force. In
some cases district supervisors are said
to attach unwarranted Importance to
questions of mere form; repression is
forced upon the teacher; expression
and self-development are discouraged.
There has been change in the social
status of the teacher. The general at
titude is one of liberation, rather than
regard. Only the other day one of the
oldest schools in this city celebrated its
Tooth anniversary, but no one of civic
or social prominence could be induced
to recognize the event.
"The stigma of effeminacy clings to
teaching" said William McAndrew, AS
'sociate City Superintendent of Schools,
speaking of the shortage of men teach
ers. "1f a young woman asked me to
describe stranger and l said, He is
a typical school teacher is it likely
that she would express an immediate
wish to meet him, to spend an after
noon or dance with him?
"Of the papers that have criticised
or praised President Wilson MANY said,
That's what comes of having school
teacher for a President This is an
illustration in a nutshell of the aver.
age attitude toward teachers"
The Money Lure of
Other Professions
The rule against married women al
teachers, which has been temporarily
barred in some places, permanently If
others, has also acted as means Of
reducing the teaching forces of this
country. But beneath all these causes
for shortage is that of inadequate re
Enumeration, which results in the com
petitive lure of other professions.
Men and women are leaving the force
because they can find more lucrative
positions in other occupations. Tine
government is urging young men anc
women to go to Washington as stenog
raphers at hundreds of dollars above
the maximum for able teachers, while
on government "cost plus 10 per cent
contracts" seventeen-year-ol boy.
may earn more than an experienced
teachers maximum salary
The teachers attention is constantly
called by rapidly changing social and
economic conditions to the serious
problem of making his relatively sta.
tionary salary equal his steadily in
creasing expenses. Those who see a
necessity in an immediate financial
adjustment of the scale Of salaries
point to the fact that in nine cases
out Of ten the money will not "go
rouud"-the salary is insufficient.
Teachers say they are not presenting
an i'll considered or hastily Endorsed
matter. They simply claim that, try
as they will, save as they will, deny
themselves as they will, their remu-
neration is not adequate to the present
cost of living.
Irving Fisher, of Yale University
states that the price level in the United
States has increased 20 per cent in the
last three years.
The Teachers Pay
AL H. A ~%;..s.