New-York tribune., 1920-03-16
Summer Camps
Urged Obtain
More Teachers
plat,sburg Idea Suggested
10 Relieve Shortage;
Would Train College and
High School Graduates
2OO Educators Conf e r
sawr.;sing of Vacancies
and Other Methods of
Relief Are Discussed

yore than 200 educators of nine
v.s.ern states in an all-dsy meeting
-.s.erday in the Chamber of Com
r.e heard suggestions for relief of
.,s teacher shortage. Among the
-smedies discussed we're:
promulgation of the Plattsburg
raining camp idea in summer normal
..,sols and other training schools, to
,roviae intensive training of college
.-.anates in courses Of from eight to
zen weeks. that sufficient number Of
...cbers might be had at least for the
''S Stimulation Of interest in teaching
.srourh newspaper, poster and maga-
.;ns Advertising by boards of educa-
.;on--the advertising of positions va
.sn. opportunities for cultural and
occnnational advancement through
.ssch;ne and in general the applca
ton Of business principles IN the en-
ire administration of school systems
Granting Of scholarships in all state
normal schools, free tuition and dorml-
,ory provisions to reduce the costs of
students living
payment of teachers. during illness
or during absence from any other un-
svoidable cause,
characterization of educational sys-
tens to provide for the encouragement
o, initiative on the part of all teachers
and giving them representation
through teachers councils at meetings
Of boards of superintendents and
boards of education.
Voluntary Salary Increases
Increasing of salaries when the
economic situation requires il, without
forcing the teachers 10 demand ade-
cuate pay for themselves.
Enactment Of permanent legislation,
rather than emergency measures, which
afford only temp porary encouragement.
The Plattsburg idea was advanced
By State Commissioner Finley. who
said it could be expected that an ap-
propriation Of s35. .oO0-already ap-
proved by the State Finance Committee
would be approved by the Legislature
and the plan instituted in five state
normal colleges this summerf Temper
sry licenses would be given to gradu
ates Of colleges upon completion of the
intensive summer course, whether the
candidate was d recent or old gradu-
ate High school graduates holding
merit certificates also would be ad-
mitted. For the most part the can
didates would be assigned to clemen-
tary grades in the state and city schools
the grades in which the scarcity is
sorely felt.
To Get Money From Legislature
~ have discussed this plan with var
ious state officials,' said Commissioner
Finley, "and am reasonably certain
that it viii be CARED out There are
good prospects of getting the money
from the Legislature, ard the impor-
tance Of carrying it through to success
is the identification to the public of
the teaching profession as patriotic
service, second only 10 the problem
q peace
"The need for such a course may be
compared to the military situation the
country found itself in at the declara-
ton Of war. When it is realized thar
womens colleges are producing virtu-
ally no teaching material-Vassar alone
graduating but seven girls this year
who say they are inclined to enter the
profession-any one can understand
the true significance of the schools
plight
State Commissioner Calvin Kendall
OF New Jersey at the afternoon session
stressed three steps which he decla red
: we're absolutely necessary in restoring
normal conditions in the work of pub
nc education. These were: Imme-
gate and permanent increases in pay;
Keep politics. out of the educational
systems, and prevent overcrowding in
c!assrooms
Must Have Opportunities
NO self-respecting person will be at
lracted to the honorable old profession
OF teaching ii he or she feels that op-
po!tunity is lacking by reason of ap-
lo'h'ments based on other than merit
and individual ability" Commissioner
neAas!i asserted. And we have got to set
ourselves against giving teachers too
@no se IS required TO instruct more than
..i,i'y pupils at a class does not instruct
sAem--tney are not taught.'
IN predicting the consolida ton of all
.ouhtry schools as a measure of educa-
,oaal eihciency, as has been done to e
.afge extent in New Jersey, the Com
missioner said there should be a COM
HHli'tee formed in every township whose
luhe1ion 1T would be to see that the
.ta! .ufa! teacher has a good time When
s"e country minister chooses to go
sso.tnewnere. he said by way of analogy,
htneS mitch up the horses and take
~ sS.m; nut the teacher-what do they
40 Tor her? AS rule she is ouartered
WIN some family not Of her own Amer
'eah blood, and in room without heat
VI, vi o'her comforts. Even if she has
aasquate pay-which she has not--he r
,,lnVironment is enough to drive her to
the city. w
Praises Type of Teachers
Dr- William j. O'Shea, Associate su-
pef,htendent of Schools of this c;tv
s; sald that 1913 per cent of all resiena,
iao. i.onS from the local teaching force
.a .ass year represented the very best
Tpe OF teacher the department has"
c;u e argued that it would be unfair to
sse & ooo Ihe teachers a minimum paw of
'.vv' ..p' as has been suggested, without
srd I"e same time giving them avenues
W. W. opportunities of advancement.
,;.. .aen they are given those opportuni-
s, wes, ne sald, then New York City can
roa ne.a ralse her standards Of educational
~ aassqea.nreements. an ennts. Only nine persons out
VI $4,000 employed in the teaching
1 CK FIR NJ A NJ