Evening journal., 1920-11-20
By \. 5. MARTIN. superintende
NOrriStOWn Public Schools

NOrristOwn Public Schools.
The opportunity OF more than 20
100000 days Of attendance at public
schools is denied the noraml boys
and girls OF school age in Pennsyl-
Nania, on The basis OF an attendance
normal OF 200 days per annum. More
tlan 1000 public schools by law are
maintained but seven months 40
days. per annum. More than 5000
public schools are limited TO a school
term OF only eight months ,i6O days.
per year. One-third Of all the public
schools i'm Pennsylvania lawfully offer
school opportunities which range
only from seven to eight months per
year One-third OF all the schools in
Pennsylvania are in session but ii0
" 100 days OF the 365.
The duration OF these short school
terms includes the winter and spring
seasons, when the weather frequently
is too inclement and the roads i'm
passable for school attendance. Time
lost on this account and by reason OF
illness and quarantine greatly reduces
the possible attendance OF the schOrl
school terms. II would be distress
ing tenn OF Information 10 state how
many children In Pennsylvania attend
less than twenty-five days per annum.
how many less than nifty days
In teaching, as in other occupations,
the salary is too frequently an index
OF the preparation for the work and
the quality OF the work. One-th ird
OF all the public school teachers now
in the service OF the state receive the
mere pittance OF a salary. ranging
from S520 10 $3.50 per annum. These
salaries obtain, Notwithstanding the
operation OF the Woodruff salary law
enacted during the last session Of the
Legislature and approved by Cover
nor Sproul.
The natural inference from these
! inadequate salaries is poor teacher
qualification. INis is the real situa-
| ton in Pennsylvania. Thousands OF
! teachers now In the service never
enjoyed the advantage Of day at
! tendance at a normal school. college
or other Misunderstanding institution.
The short school term, poor teacher
qualification and low educational
ideals frequently obtain in the same
school district; particularly In the
rural school districts.
Attendance at school and good teach
ing are the two paramount factors in
a good school. These TWO factors
determine 80 or % per cent OF the
efficiency in education. A long school
term and a good teacher insure the
]
! Portable and hygienic buildings, nee
essary supplies and textbooks and
parental cooperation VIII add to the
efficiency OF the school.
Pennsylvania now tOlerates the
anomalous situation which calls for
the prosecution OF a child who attends
1875 days school in one district on ac-
count Of lack Of attendance and toll
crates an attendance Of ninety-ilve
days In another district. A rich dis
trlct may receive an appropriation OF
approximately 500 per teacher and
a poor district 5000 per teacher. ON
| ihe basis of Justice. every child of
the state should have the privilege
OF attending 200 days under the lniu-
once of a well-qualined teacher.
If, through the several appropria
tions, the general appropriation an'
the appropriation on account OF th'
Woodruff salary act, the state cal
pay 5000 or 500 per teacher. Their
seems no good reason why the stat
should not establish equivalent op
, portunities for all school children j
the state by paying the minimum sal
ary Of every teacher for a school tern
OF 200 days. Under the present law
Il is discretionary for each OF the 2Jel
school districts Of the state to fix th'
length OF school term beyond tl'
minimum required by law. which Is
seven months. Educational progress
OF the state in the past was chiefly
the result Of mandatory legislation
over 5000 schools now have a sever
months school term. Judging IRON
the past. these school districts VII
not, unless compelled by law, main
tain a ten months school term during
the next nifty years. The higher idea
Of the state must become the ruling
ideal OF these districts.
The school term in the rural dis
tricts should be as long as that in thl
city and the salary should be as high
At present. the rural school teacher
is greatly handicapped. She mus
travel long distances and frcquentl.
Z under adverse conditions TO meet he
school daily. She needs the advan
tages OF summer schools and cit.
b. Libraries. To meet these handicals
, she ought 10 receive a liberal salary
Pennsylvania represents one-twelft
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