Evening journal., 1921-01-25

for teaching. They should he college
graduates or the equivalent. and
should have had, during their college
course. several years work In educa-
ton. with special emphasis upon the
Subject OF elementary school super
vision. They should also have some
teaching experience. 80 that they may
know what problems the classroom
teacher has 10 solve and what meth
DDS are applicable In their solution.
The principal who can not go into
classroom and teach effectively soon
loses the respect OF the teachers un-
der his or her supervision, but being
able 10 teach in itself does not make
teacher a capable principal. lie CT
she must know how TO instruct others
/ In the principles and art of teaching,
| how 20 arouse interest among teachers
and parents, and how 10 do many other
things that are not required OF a
teacher.
"When the elementary school prin-
cpals are Judged by the standard OF
education and experience, they are
short on educational qualifications
and long on experience. The plan Of
promoting teachers to prlncipalships
/ Is largely responsible for this sltua-
tion. For some years 10 has been the
custom 10 grant what are known as
principals certificates 10 teachers OF
some years experience. Thus there Is
usually a list Of teachers waiting 10 be
promoted TO principalships as yacan-
cles occur.
There is no need Of granting such
certificates A standard college grad
luatiOn with courses in educational SUI
lpervision and several years teaching
/ ieXperience should be SET and adhered
Ito. II any OF the teaching corps
reaches the standard and has the other
necessary qualifications for the prln-
lcipalship, he or she should be cOnsid-
cred for the position. The supcrin-
tondent should. however. fee free 10
go anywhere TO select principals for
the elementary schools, Just as he
may go anywhere for supervisors OF
special subjects. The principalship is
the most important supervisory posi-
ton In the elementary school system.
II Is through the principals that the
superintendent must work.
III because OF lack OF training they
are not capable Of understanding and
OF putting into operation the recon-
lmendations Of the superintendent. the
school system fails; a weak principal.
a weak school.
Everything considered. the survey
commission strongly recommends that
the school board should hereafter de-
mand higher educational and prOfes-
lsional qualifications for the most inn
lpOriant supervisory position In the
Wilmington school system the elc-
mentary school principaIship-
that the plan OF promoting 10 this
lpOsili0n teachers with no especial
preparation for supervision be discon-
tlnued and that principals be brought
in from other places IN no one In Inc
school system has the necessary edu-
lcational and professional qualinca-
tiOns.
Considering the salaries that have
been paid the elementary teachers In
Wilmington, Il Is surprising 10 find
that any have attended summer scs-
sions at normal schools and colleges
, or the white elementary teachers. %
and Of the cOlOrcd, 20 have attended
one or more summer sessions since
entering the service I'm Wilmington
The number Is not large, but large for
the amount OF salary That has beer
paid
Much attention is. however. giver
I 10 the professional growth OF teacher,
! In the system. Each elementary schoo
; principal holds two meetings a monif
TO discuss such problems as NAV aris,
81 and 10 study several books intensivelv
) There are also the usual grade meet
) ings called by supervisors and princi
. lpals. Besides This. there Is a teachers
+ association In which practically all On,
teachers are enrolled During the ycal
the association Is addressed by person.
I OF reputation In their respective fields
] The teachers also employ a spe
l clalist In some particular subject tr
) give course extending through
F, semester OF the entire year. The schoo
5 board did a cOmmondable thing ihi,
I year by making an appropriation %
81 $1,000 10 assist in defraying the ex
lpenses Of these special courses. Tn,
2 fund Is divided so that the high schoo
3 and elementary teachers may eacl
4 have a third and the principals thirl
/ for the courses.
{. Since teachers may now attend sum
liner sessions at Delaware College. Will
= all expenses paid, one OF the require
ments for promotion should be tha
S teachers attend a summer session a