Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1921-01-15
The Proper Rating for
Maine Schools Standing

DR.. Augustuss, o. Thomas, State
superintendent Of public schools, re-
Gently took very decided exceptions
to rating given the schools OF
Maine by the Russell Sage Founda-
ton. after an investigation made by
that organization. DR.. Thomas to-
day had the following to say of the
situation. which places our Maine
schools upon an entirely "founda-
ton:
THE Russell Sage Foundation rat
ing for the three decades closing In
1917 rather took the wind out OF our
sails; especially SO because the situa-
I lion is not understood by the aver
age layman. But there is balm IN
Gilead. In recent publication by
the Bureau of Education of the De-
partment OF. the Interior for a year
later, or the year ending June 80,
1915, en- the High schools of the
United States. Maine ranks fifth on
the number enrolled in our High
schools for each 1000 OF our popula-
. ton. We are so close to our next
competitor, Indiana, that it is alto
other probable that in 1919 and 1920
we have nosed Indiana cut OF fourth
place and settled ourselves therein. 1t
will not be so easy to displace Iowa
for third or Kansas for second or to
displace California, who stands first
for some time in all probability. but
IT can be done. There is still bet
ter showing on the percentage of our
population Is years old graduated
! from 4-year High schools. Maine
ranks second in this respect and ~
only SO OF a point behind the leader,
we. stand a good chance to lead the
states Of the Union in this particus'
lar.
0There are 10 points of excellence
which really measure a states eff,
ficiency. We have developed our
own yardsfick for determining educa-
tional efficiency, both local and State.
Our program seeks persistently but
intelligently to pick UP these points
as rapidly as possible and bring them
ahead until the States reputation is
as good as it's character. The tenn
per of the people of Maine is such
that they never tire of good work,
and this is shown by their recent en-
deavor to advance their schools.
Our blanks for reports from the
schools Of the State to the State
superintendent, are such that we can
check UP our rating at any time and
group the several elements to show
whether or not we are forging ahead
or slipping behind in the essentials
Of a good school system, not forget
ting thoroughness in comomn sub
jects and instruction compatible
with good breeding. The manage
ment of a great school system of to-
day is piece Of expert engineering
in educational lines and gives rise for
efficiency in technical experience of
the highest quality. The = people
should be satisfied with nothing else.
eve are not so concerned about
our financial rating in schools in
comparison with other more wealthy
states as we are in having funds COM
mensurate with our ability to main
tain the schools we should. Our first
concern now is efficiency in eXpendi-
ture which gives 100 cents worth of
instruction and material out Of every
dollar of the taxpayers money spent
for education. This is job for
every person engaged in education
from the school teacher in the farth-
est outlying section in our morgan
lied territory to the State superin-
tendent Of schools"