River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1920-06-10

AS IN other occupations, so IN ed
vocational work, there are times when
things move more rapidly; and in
such periods it is good to be alive
and to be part of that work. The
| present is one of those times. Re-
Gently interest has conferred espec-
tally upon rural education.
A number of factors should stimu-
late us in this state to greater act
ivity. First, Wisconsin has recently
bene ranked educationally as the
thirtieth state. This comes to many
as surprise, since we in this state
have been inclined to pride ourselves
! upon our educational system. The
low ranking is due to the small ex-
penditure per capita on children Of
school age, to the fact that many
children counted are in parochial rath-
err than public schools, and to the
fact that because of lack of men,
money, and the necessary machinery,
compulsory attendance at school has
been farce. Another disturbing fact
is that Wisconsin was this last year
short thirteen hundred properly quail
flied teachers for the rural schools.
OF course the result has been intense
educational suffering. A third factor
that should arouse the public is the
decrease in the quality of mentality
..~ H. x.aoarflxy hnayl
ing into the teaching profession. In
telligence tests given throughout the
state prove conclusively that the ten
dency of the young people with the
keener minds is to prepare for other
occupations. Furthermore, county
superintendent are resigning in num-
bers because of the low salaries. Their
successors must be more actively
organized group if they are able to
demand proper remuneration for their
services. Finally, people in Wiscon-
sin are already grooming under tax
alton.
The result of these disturbing con-
ditions is that school people from now
on must justify their existence. There
has been a really marvellous increase
in salaries of teachers in all schools
from the state university to the rur-
al school, and teachers must prove
themselves worthy of their hire.
Where the average salary for the ru-
raj teacher last year was $3.50, it is
estimated that for next year it will
be $4,000. Several agents have as
sisted in bringing about these chang
es: The National Educational Associ-
alton has investigated and carried on
definite campaign; the State Teach
ers' association through publicity
committee, has been active; and the
State Department has done much.
AS a consequence, then, of the re-
alization by the public of the dis
tressing conditions now existing and
of the efforts of the educational bod
les just mentioned, the press and ev-
en- the politicians have concerned
themselves Will liiS PAOoASio "a
teachers salaries.
The question that must be answered
by the people already in this work is,
"What shall we do?" There are two
possible answers. They may say,
"The public is to blame. Well get
out and let them pay the penalty" OF
they may be wiser and admit, Things
never improve unless people who
know and understand conditions stay
on and assume responsibility" The
trained teacher must demonstrate how
much better she can do than the UNI
trained, to justify a sufficient salary
to compensate for the needed train
ing. Moreover, teachers must not
underbid each other. They must de-
mand and secure decent living con-
ditions. Consolidation of schools
must be recommended and extended.
One or two facts must be remember
ed: first, people do not care especial
" about the teachers sufferings, but
CDeY w care dDOuI tISil NAiioASiA %
welfare; secondly, it is wise to avoid
Just now the argument that educa-
ton has a money value; in other
words, emphasis must be placed on
the necessity for good teachers and
good salaries to be paid to them.
DIR. Alexander concluded with the
words, $50 this is fine time to be
alive and to be working for rural ed
ucation. We may not see great re-
suits, but it viii be our fault if we
don't"
The second speaker was DIR. Macy
Campbell, director of rural education
in Iowa Normal College, who talked
on Equal Educational Opportunity
for AL" His address was inspiration
al rather than analytical.
He stated that the most important