El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1920-05-04
TEXAS TEACHERS ARE PAID
LESS THAN COMMON LABORERS|

MORE than $1,000 children in Texas have been without
W instruction this wear because Of the shortage Of school
teachers; In the rural districts Of 229 counties there is
actual shortage Of at least 2oo0 teachers than so
percent Of the rural teachers boys and girls hold
ing second grade certificates and many teachers without
certificates employed; 100000 children IN Texas were
taught this year by boys and girls holding second grade
certificates many public schools were supported BY private
subscription to prevent early closing
This startling situation revealed at meeting
Of the advisory committee appointed by governor Hobby to
investigate the school situation in Texas and recommend
the public schools According to state
ator Lynch Davidson member Of the committee the
don above set forth is due to the failure Of the state
to pay the teachers living wage
The average annual salary Of the rural school teachers
In Texas IS SSH the average annual salary Of town
teachers S75, and the average annual salary Of all
teachers IS $685. Mexican common laborers make 500
year
No argument in favor Of better pay for teachers is
necessary Of these figures Teaching IN Texas
rated below unsiIled labor Housemaids fare
vel the young woman who has prepared herself for
educating the young Of the state clerks stenographers
and salesEomen are twice well off financially
those entrusted with the responsibility of instructng
boys and girls
The governors committee has shown also that the in
stitutons Of higher learning IN Texas in serious
plight Their faculties dsorganized and unable,
with the money appropriated for their support to take care
Of their normal growth
The University Of Texas is drawing heavily on its build
ing fund for operating expenses thereby making mpos
sbe to for the building needs Of the university It is
reported IS years behind its building program The sua
ton is almost bad at other state institutions including
the Agricultural Mechanical college and its branches
the John Iarelon college Of SephenTle the GrubbS Noca
tona college Of Arlington, the Prairie View state normal
school for negroes and the College Of Industrial Arts at
Denton The last named college forced to deny ads
sion to 800 girls last fall Similar conditions exist five
ether state normal schools.
While the governors committee expects to work out
definite plan Of relief little be accomplished
less public sentiment is thoroughly aroused to the serious
Of the situation II members Of the legislature
made understand that the people desperately in
earnest IN their demand for better pay for teachers and for
adequate provisions for educational facilities they VIII
provide relief.
Senator Davidson, in his statement the plans Of the
committee Of which he IS member submits the following
recommendations which have already been agreed upon and
which ne believes should receive earnest consideration by all
interested IN the welfare Of Texas education:
EirstEstabshment of the county unit plan Of admin
isteng schools, with definite provisions TO the powers
of the county board and county superintendent.
SecondInerease of the state apportonment to double
Its present amount to provide schools for all children
and to place high school education within the reach
of every child
Thrd-ReTsion Of the school laws making most Of them
more definite and harmonzng those IN conflict Changes
especially needed are as foloEs
Ia Revision Of the compulsory attendance law, raising
the age Of exemption TO IS years
o. Providing for 40 consecutive school days.
lcl Requiring completion Of the seventh grade Re
vision should be made for enforced attendance in extreme
cases by state authority
Fourth-Laws making women eligible for service on
boards Of all schools supported wholly partly by the
state
Hooyers popularity Is proof that people can forget