Indiana daily times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1914-1922, 1920-01-28
GOVERNOR SETS
ASIDE WEEK TO
AID
Newspapers, Ministers and
Clubs Urged to Consider
Conditions in Profession.

The week OF March 7 to IA has been
proclaimed Teachers week" by Gov.
Goodrich. He asks thai during this
week consideration be given to the mat
ter Of the supply and the rewards of
teachers and that "the press. the pulpit,
societies, clubs and educational and So
cial agencies lend every encouragement
and aid, setting aside an appointed time
during the week for this purpose"
In his proclamation the governor sets
out the necessity for more teachers for the
Indiana schools and for encouraging
young people to become teachers.
MANY TEACHERS
LEAVING PROFESSION.
"a grave emergency threatens the
schools" he says ''The supply of trained
and competent teachers is everywhere de-
creasing. Due to the stress Of unsettled
economic conditions, teachers are leav-
ing the ranks Of a noble and underpaid
profession. Disintegration of teaching
STATS, deterioration Of teaching personnel
are imminent. If depletion and depres-
sion continue, the schools must suffer
decline.
"As a result of a false but widespread
social attitude with respect to teaching,
new recruits are not coming forward TO
fill the gaps. Young people are taught to
disparage teaching, to shun It's work as
a life pursuit. Teachers courses in nor
NAL schools and college are discourage
ingly Ill attended. Students in high
schools are looking to other calltngs. A
shortage even more acute may be upon
US another year."
The governor points out that this con
dition is not peculiar to Indiana, but Is
a situation which may bring about a
national calamity.
nN-oo-T- TCO n0o chE1dron ? IN the
schools Of Indiana" he continues. "These
are the citizens Of tomorrow. Their ideas
and ideals are taking shape for future
action. The world problems of the new
times ahead demand that these children
receive even better school training than
the children Of yesterday. We must act
today to save the schools. We must s@l
that they continue to be the chief bull
wark Of the republic"
The problem of obtaining sufficient
teachers Is the principal one before the
state department of public instruction
and before school superntendents in all
parts Of Indiana. The 1919 legislature
provided for an increase In the pay OF
school teachers and the state board OF
education has suggested another Increase
Members of the board admit that the
schools Of Indiana are going down hi
because or the lack OF gom Peteu@ III
structors.
MAKING SURVEY OF
INDIANA SCHOOLS.
Also In line with school betterTent,
the state department Of public instruc-
ton is making o survey Of one-teacher
country schools. In order to bring about
an improvement In conditions IN rural
communities. Questionnaires, each con
tanning several hundred questions, ars
being sent to the teachers Of these
schools. The questions are listed under
forty-two general heads and cover every
conceivable angle. Of school conditions,
Some OF the subjects 10 which these
questions apply are buildings, closets.
Fairgrounds. heating, ~jauitor service,
lighting, window shades, walls. seats
and desks, water. drinking cups, health.
length Of school terms, age OF pupils
in various grades, attendance, recita-
lions, games, boys and girls clubs, par
ent-teaeher associations. community In
t~erests, special supervision. supplement
tary and reference books, library. maps,
pictures, primary supplies. agriculture,
home economics. industrial arts, music,
drawing, experience and training Of
teachers, Feathers licenses. tenchers sal
aries, and cost per pupil for instruction.