The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1919-12-21

SufdnCc DuSlnSSS. anu lot lhe idSb
ten years has been connected with
the company he has left.
would come here: strong. efficient
teachers who would be willing to
drop their other work which they
arc now doing only because it pays
a living wage.
Board Estimate Too Low.
The Board Of Education has al
ready approved minimum salary
of 81 200 a year. but this is believed
to be too small to attract the kind
of teachers which the local system
will need.
There are weeks now when there Is
not a single eligible for appointment
to the local teaching force. The Gues-
tfon Of higher salaries is believed by
both officials OF the schools and local
business men TO be n very vital one
in the school situation today. aside
from the matter of more and larger
buildings. Take care of the teacher
problem now before 1t it too late ana
other matters will soon adjust them
selves. they hold.
mere VIII ne N-lldllOu lH Niit
ing force until proper salary scale
is reached. This, according TO Sup
crintendent Thurston, is born out by
the fact that small increases made
in the salaries of local teachers has
not relieved the situation and will
not stop the present alarming out
flow of teachers. Aside from the
exodus Of teachers already in the
r. nHriaIa n fara1
with the difficulty of getting any new
blood to come into the. schools at
the very small entrance salaries Of
fered.
Herein lies very serious danger"
said Mr.. Thurston. for it is the
trained force which has given stam-
ina. standard and morale to the entire
teaching army. The reduction in the
Of professionally trained
tea cheers is a very serious factor. and
means undoubtedly reduction in
teaching efficiency. At the present
time it is estimated that the national
demand for trained teachers for re-
placement and new positions is four
and onc-half times the available
newly trained supply. The number of
people under professional training mas
markedly decreased in every locality.
and this decrease cannot be checked
until the general conditions affecting
the teaching force are materially bat
tered.
Used Only as stepping Stone.
Low salaries not only drive teach
ers from tho work. but also weaken
efficiency by unrest and uncertainty.
Low salaries mean temporary service
"a
stone to something else. They mean
for thoS" who renal "a financial stress
which is destructive OF peace Of mad
They mean too often inability 10 PITT
tect the teachers health. or to give
her the recreation and relaxation
which such stressful occupation re-
Quircs. They mean tho forcing OF
teachers to overtime and vacation
work. often in other distinctive fields
in order to secure the funds to make
ends meet. They mean the loss of o -
pOrtunity for travel and study which
worthwhile teachers desire in order
TO retain their efficiency at IL high
level. Especially is there danger of
lowering professional standards and
ideals"
Evidence OF the fact that the
local school system will not be able
to furnish teachers of it's own train
ing is found in the local normal
school situation. the institution
where young men and women are
trained for the work of teaching.
Only 30 In Training.
This school now has a capacity
for ESQ students. but at the present
time. there are only 80 students in
attendance there. There has been
noticeable falling Off in the num-
ber willing to take up the work
during the past few years. and there
probably will continue to be de-
creases in the number of enroll
mrntS there until the salaries Of
teachers here arc raised tn the point
which would make il attractive to
those young men and women who
would like to take up teaching for
life's work
When the seui-annuaI transfers are
made Of pupils in February there will
be a further crowding of Glasses re-
TuirinS additional teachers. Superin-
tendent Thurston says that 10 addi-
iiOnal teachers will he needed to prop
erly handle the situation. Request
has been made in the urgent deficiency
estimates for money enough TO en-
ploy these teachers. But the school
officials are already wondering
whether or not they will be able to
get them and at the same time keep
up the standard of teachers in the
schools.
Even with this number most OF the
teachers will continue to teach over
sized classes. Only increased salaries
and more buildings can in any way
relieve the crowded conditions now
prevailing here.