Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1919-11-23
HOW To IMP ROVE
STATE SCHOOLS
ABLY DISCUSSED
Prof. w. O. Hall Makes Six
Recommendations for Bet
tering Present System; Sal
aries of Teachers Discussed

What will undoubtedly be the larg-
est convention of teachers ever held
in the southwest, got down to busi-
ness without blare of trumpets and
so quietly that most people were not
aware that in the Albuquerque high
school yesterday forenoon at o'clock,
Superintendent ]. l.. G.. Swnney of
Gallup, as president, called to order
the educational council of the New
Mexico Educational association, and
that this important body, in way the
most important of the association, got
down to business without the formal
ity of a welcome address or introduce
tory remarks, the president simply
asking Mrs. Josie Lockard of Ration,
the secretary to read the minutes of
two years ago. Some sixty educators
were present, the entire membership
of the council being siXty-siX, consist
ing of six members elected by the gem
eral association and sixty members
elected by the sections, each section
electing three to serve one, two and
three years, respectively. E. w. Bow
yer of Clovis is the vice president.
Prof Roscoe Hill of the university,
Superintendent w. A. Poore of Carls-
bad and j. NJ. Buckley of Clovis were
appointed a committee to draft reso-
buttons, and DR.. Frank II. II. Roberts
of the normal university, Superintend-
ent John Milne of Albuquerque, and
Superintendent L. c. Rhoades, a COM
mittee to. draft a proposed amend
ment to the constitution of the educa
tional association, providing that the
executive committee of the education
al council have power to declare and
fill vacancies.
Professor Halls Mastery Paper.
The first paper of the forenoon was
read by President w. o. Hall of the
state normal school at Silver City on
What Should Be Our Next Step in
Providing a Better Teacher for New
Mexieo?" The paper evoked real en-
elguDilta11 and sy,,s III ftfceG h very
thoughtful, coherent mastery presen-
tation of the subject. After citing
statistics that are really startling as to
the shortage in competent teachers,
and as to the 80 per cent decline in at
tendance at normal schools through
out the United States in the past four
years, President Hall discussed in
detail the following six recommended
tions and thoughts.
1. Remove the maximum salary
limit now placed on teachers of GER
tain grades of certificates and instead
make only a minimum salary schedule !
with provision for payment by the
calendar month throughout the year.
2. Amend the state constitution so
that the state superintendent can be |
chosen as often as the people may de-
sire. Place his election in the spring, |
so that the office may be removed as
far as possible from politics, and |
when school people may have more to !
say as to who shall head the forces
of the state.
3. Secure a county board of edu-
cation, elected by the people, who
shall have power to elect the county |
superintendent for as many years as
they desire. Also a board which shall |
have power to fill all vacancies
4. Make conditions for teachers |
better in the school by consolidation
and providing good supervisors. Also
providing better living conditions out
side.
5. BY change in certificates of |
teachers, so as to demand bet
ter academic and professional |
preparation before certificate be
issued. That examination for certifi-
eating of teachers be dispensed with
as much as possible and in place of
examination that credits from accred
tied institutions accepted.
6. That permits be issued only
through the state department after all
available teachers have been placed.
Raise Professional Standards.
President Hall made it plain that he
does not expect much advance or per-
manent advance in salaries paid teach
ers unless at the same time profess
sional standards are raised.
An interesting discussion of certifi-
cation of teachers ensued, especially in
reference to reciprocal relations with
other states. 1t was brought out, for
instance, that while California, 1lli-
nois, Michigan and most other states
accept New Mexico certification, the
neighboring state Of Texas does not.
Chief Clerk George Lougee of the
state department of education took oc-
casion to rub" it in, as New Mexico
employs considerable number OF
teachers but lately arrived from Texas.
He explained how the department OF
education is gradually and consistently
raising standards of certification and
also went into the details Of the re-
ciprocal relations with other states.
The idea is to encourage scholarship
apJ caIf- on6 m diSpOllr-