New-York tribune., 1920-02-10
Mayor Orders Bill
Drawn to Suppress
Ettinger's Board
Blames Local Examiners for
Shortage i'm Teachers; De-
nounces Required Test as
unfair to Young Women

The responsibility for the prevail
ing shortage Of teachers in the public
schools was placed yesterday by Mayor
Hylan upon the board Of examiners Of
the Department of Education. In a let
ter to Corporation Counsel Burr. the
Mayor instructed him to prepare a bill
to be presented to the Legislature
which will eliminate the board of
examiners. The Mayor declared that
there was no good reason for the re-
quirement that teachers, before they
can receive certificate to teach in the
public schools Of the city, must pass
a final examination by this board.
The Mayors letter follows:
Last year during the time the Leg
lsiature was in session and again this
year there has been a great deal of
agitation about the shortage of teach
ers. This has for It's purpose, of course,
the question of increased salaries for
ehose who have received their diplomas
unfair to Girls"
THE method pursued under our edu
catlonal system calls for a prospective
teacher going through high school and
then entering the Teachers Training
School. After receiving her various din.
Tomas and passing her high school and
training school examinations, before
she can teach in the City of New York
she must take another examination bv
the board of examiners. No matter
now we'll she may be equipped by the
special training she receives as q high
school and training school graduate and
hav!ng every reason to believe she is
qualified to take up teaching, she is
then compelled to take an additional
examination, depending upon the pass
ing OF that examination as to whether
sho shall receive her diploma,
1T is unfair to the girl who ha.
successfully passed her high school
unfair to her parents, Who in most
cases have stinted themselves in the
necessities of life in order to equip
their daughter*fo for her chosen profes
sion. Hundreds of young women,
although fully qualified to teach by
their long years Of study, are denied
their final certificates by this Board
OF Examiners. Does not common sense
seem to indicate that any girl after
si1 years. intensive training for her
chosen profession, should be permitted
out further examination at the hands
OF specially constituted board?
.,"Will you take this matter up care
fully with the President Of the Board
OF Education and have a bill prepared
which will meet this situation? I feel
that If this added examination we're
eliminated, there would be no question
as to full complement of teachers
for our schools"
Elementary Teachers Protest
Tho Board of Examiners consists Of
William L. Ettinger, City Superinten-
dent Of Schools, who is chairman ex
officio, and four other members. Mayor
Hylan has INDUCED in spirited con
troversy almost continually since he
took office with Superintendent Et-
finger over school matters.
Teachers attending meeting of the
New York City Professional Elemen-
tary Teachers Association last night
at Public School 27, 2O6 East Forty
second Street, decided unanimously to
lodge a protest against the unjust
representation" methods prevailing, it
is charged, In the meetings Of the To-
cal Federation Of Teachers Organiza-
tions.