The Logan Republican. [volume] (Logan, Utah) 1902-1924, 1921-03-15

"Amcrlcus greatest problem-the
shortage OF school teachers"
To meet this problem Philundcr +.
ClnNtOn. commissioner Of education, is
carrying forward national cduca-
tlOnal campaign.
In every way ClaxtOn Is trying to
get before the people this big idea:
you are paying $4,000 900. 900 as
your bin for the war. You can have a
100 per cent elementary school system
at an outlay Of s.. go, 600 900 u year.
Education Is the greatest preventive
OF war. II Is the only Insurance. OF
progress and prosperity. VIII you foot
the hill? WIN you demand that na.
tlOnnl, state and local officials give
you the chancellor your children's
sakef
The schools are short 100000 teach.
ers.
One school out Of every ~ In the
country couldn't open this year be-
cause OF the teacher shortage.
Claxton is fighting for "a competent
wCll4traincd teacher for every boy and
girl In American
Recent reports from county and
district superintendent" says Clax-
ton, "indlcntc that In addition to thou
sands of schools without any instruc-
tors. many are taught by unframed
teachers.
THE shortage will continue to be
serious until better salaries are paid
ana better trniuing facilities are prd-
yided
Can't Be Paid in Money.
"Tenchers worthy Of a place In the
schools in which American children
are prepared for life, can never he
fully paid In money. They do. hive
certain spiritual rewards, but this
should not he an excuse for putting
education on charity basis,
we nave now come to the parting
Of the ways. Which shall we accept?
Makeshift tenchers, who ARE simply
teaching until they can find chance
In some other field, or the men and
women with ability and culture who
can be trusted with the worlds most
precious treasures-the minds OF our
children?
1--WE cannot hope to attract we'll
equipped teachers unless there Is a
guaranty OF good wages for years to
Gomez
"What do you consider an adequate
salary for the average teacher?" he
was asked.
1T ought not TO be less than $1,000
for elementary and secondary schools"
was his reply. This Is three times
"a much rs the average for the year
l9lT-1S, and more than $50 per cent
above the average for the year $1,000.
Can we pay such salaries? With
proper ecOn0my--yes. -r 90
Reconsideration of small rural schools
will cut down expense. With that done
and a work,study-play rotation plan
adopted in the city schools, 100000 ele-
mentary teachers will be enough for
the next I'VE or ten yenrs.
AT an average wage OF 5000 II
will take $l,5OO,000,000 TO pay that
number of teachers. Increase this by
20 per cent-a liberal amount--to pay
for administration. supervision. build.
ings, equipment and supplies. we have
II total $500, 100000.
sour part In the World war, In
which we fought for freedom and de-
| mocracy, cost US not less than $4,000.
100000 without education, there can
be neither freedom nor democracy"
Clnxton pointed to questionable
sent out by the National Education
association at the beginning OF the
present school year TO get facts as to
the teacher shortage.
Shortage Greatest In South.
Answers showed Georgia leads with
! the greatest estimated teacher short
age and below-standard teachers with
5000 North Carolina is next with
| 5,294. INFllA
Only one state, Nevada. Il sparsely
settled commonwealth. reported no ac-
tpal shortage, though II recorded thirty
belOw.standard teachers.
Replies to the question, "What per
cent OF your teachers have had two
years or more Of training beyond high
schoolsf" show that in only few
states have one.half the teachers had
that amount Of training.
"AbOut One-siXth Of the teaching
forces In the American public schools
leave each year" continued Claxton.
"Many nf the women leave 10 be mar.
/ ried or to enter other lines of cndeavor.
In former years, however, their places
were always supplied from the new
| recruits
Now the desirable recruits go else.
where, and will continue To do so until
they receive something more than a
mere living allowance In return for a
lifetime Of cOnsecruted service"