The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1921-01-14
EDUCATORS HERE
MEETING lNPUOGREsS IN ALUMNI HAIL
TODAY ADDRESS or Or. COOK.

In his talk today in the Alumni
Hall, MIR. Albert S. Cook, State sup
erintendeft OF Schools. discussed the
States program for the Improvement
OF the schools, and the Russell Sage
Report on the Maryland Schools. ana
/ pointed out that Maryland stood 34th
among States IN the Russell sage
rating in 1918. Nevertheless, mary.
land has increased her index number
I N such q way as 10 show that as
much progress WAS made IN the eight
! years, i0lo-iyls. rs IN the two pre-
yioua decades. 1Ss0-IgI0.
4 lHe stated that the chief function OF
the new Bureau Of Educational Meas
uremeuts In the State Department of
Education, made possible BY an ap.
I pfopriation of sis,o00 by the General
Education Board, will be 20 make 4
continuous study OF the achievement
OF school children IN the fundamental
subjects Of the course Of study. nauie-
~, reading arithmetic, spelling and
writing, and tp check up tho efficiency
Of class room teaching and classroom
supervision, SO FAR "a the standard
educational tests are valid for iudg
Ing the quality of instruction
An excellent beginning IN this work
has already been made by teacbors.
supervisors, aupsrintsndenia. and of.
fioials Of The state Department in
msBy. II not all, ~ the counties. THIS
bureau will also study the following
ten points
4 Per cent of children of school
age attending school
?. Days attended by each child of
school age
3. Days schools were kept open
Proportion ~ children 10 higb
school.
! Per cen, Of boys 10 Eiris 10 high
school
q Expenditure per child attending
school
z Expenditure per chlld OF school
Expenditure per teacher en-.
plpyed
. Expenditure Tor non salary par.
pose,
70. Average salary per teacher en-.
ployed
The rating of each county Ia thc
State and the city of baltimore bn
these ten points Tor tiie school year
ending July 81. viii b. made ard
the tsbuiated results viii he sent Ia
each county board nf education n tha
State, showing TIE relative fank oi
each srhoei uhlt IA each pi lhese ten
points
N discussing the tentative financial
program u the stats Board oi Ednta-
tion. which would require probably aa
additional appropriation ~ 81 2a0000
V was pointed out that an equalization
fund ~ perhaps 100000 at this
amount would be set aside fnr dis
tribRfion among tho poorer counties
Bna would BE- npgursiuned 10 them
upon thla principle %If county. by
paying local TAX rate Tor schools of
cay seventy cents. Il no, able 10 carry
the new stats minimum salary for
teachers Aud meet other necessary
coats of running the schools. the
state Equalization Fund Will he used
70 make up the difference between
what seventy cents on the taxable
iasis ~ the county brings w and the
amount necessary 10 support the
schools; In other wnrdR The Eqnallaa-
tion Fund viii be- used 10 that no
county in the State viii be required
10 pay moro than seventy cents local
ly for school maintenance. provided
seventy cents rs the amount agreed
upon Ha q proper maximum tax raio
tor schools. aud aHy county willing -
pay d higher rate can hy 80 much eX
coed the minimum salary prescribed
Ia the Law 30 as TO compete mprs
equally with the wealthter counties
yhtch usually exceed ihe prescribed
minimum
In discussing what are some Of tho
elements oi a good county school
system, the following points we're
made;
4. There must be an intelligent
public interest ia the schools 0f tbs
couuly aud county board Of eduea
tlon that represents this interest
9. There must be competent lead
erahip on the port OF tho Superintena
ent OF Schools. supervisors, helping
teachers. and principals. Ia such o
system of schools the teachers them.
selves become leaders Supervision
+ Is teacher training proposition aud
Is especially needed IN the state
school system because such large
proportion of the teachers have had
comparatively little professional train
ing. II Is also the best means for
ksepimg well prepared teachers grow
ing IN professional interest and n
j classroom accomplishment
il 3. There must be public reeogni-
tion 0R the worth OF such corps 81
I teachers IN adequate salaries. con
sidefAbIy above the mere suhsist-
ence' point. and ~ public appfeeia-
tlon or the value OF such 4 corps OF
teachers and o. such a school system
TO the County. State and Nation
4. A good school system tests rs
work scientifically II knows what Is
taught and why L Is taught; II dag
noses its own Weaknesses and applies
The remedy
Fl &. Al good school system, by reason
Of its competency. comes to be housed
in well lighted well heated school
buildings that are as we'll adapted to
the purposes OF the school as 4 good
home Il to the purposes Of the home,
s. Since i good school system costs
money. what IL Carroll County doing
for its schools financially as comDar-
ed With other counties 81 the state7
Fourteen counties ol the State have a