The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1921-02-17
AMERICAS BIGGEST PROBLEM:
THE SHORTAGE OF TEACHERS

To meet this problem, Philander P.
Claxton, National Commissioner of
Education, Washington, is carrying
forward a nationwide educational
campaign.
In every way Commissioner Claxton
is trying to get before the people this
big idea:
"You are paying $50,O0O,OO0,O00 as
your bill for the war. You can have a
100 per cent elementary school system
at an outlay of $780, 100000 year.
Education is the greatest preventive
Of war. 1t is the only insurance of
progress and prosperity. Will you
foot the bill? Will you demand that
National, State and county officials
give you the chancellor your chill
dren's sake"
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.
Commissioner Claxton is fighting
for competent, well-trained teacher
for every boy and girl in America"
"Recent reports from county and
district superintendent" says ClaX-
ton, indicate that in addition to thous-
ands of schools without any instruc-
tors, many are taught by unframed
teachers.
"The shortage will continue to be
serious until better salaries are paid
and better training facilities are pro.
vided @gM5
Teachers worthy of a place in the
schools in which American children
are prepared for life, can never be
fully paid in money. They do have
certain spiritual rewards, but this
should not be an excuse for putting
education on a charity basis.
"We have now come to the parting
of the ways. Which shall we accept?
Makeshift teachers, 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?
I'VE cannot hope to attract we'll
equipped teachers unless there is a
guaranty of good wages for years to
come"
"What do you consider an adequate
salary for the average teacher?" he
was asked.
sit ought not to be less than $4,000
for elementary and secondary
schools" was his reply. "This is three
times as much as the average for the
year 1918, and more than $50 per
cent above the average for the year
1920.
"Can we pay such salaries? With
proper economy-yes!
Consolidation of small rural
schools will cut down expense. With
that done, and work-study-play ro-
tation plan adopted in the city schools
100000 elementary teachers will be
enough for the next five or ten years.
AT an average wage of $4,000 il
will take $500, 100000 to pay that
number of teachers. Increase this
by so per cent-a liberal amount-to
pay for administration, supervision
buildings, equipment and supplies, we
have total of ,500,0OO,OOO.
"Our part in the World War, in
which we fought for freedom anddem.
ocracy, cost us not less than fifty bill
lions. Without education there can be
neither freedom nor democracy"
Commissioner Claxton pointed to q
QUESTIONABLE sent out by the National
Educational Association at the begin.
ming of the present school year to get
tacts as to the teacher shortage.
Answers showed Georgia leads with
the greatest estimated teacher short
age and below-standad teachers with
$3.50. North Carolina is next with
1924.
Only one State, Nevada, sparsely
settled commonwealth, reported nc
actual shortage, though it recorded &c
below-standard teachers.
Replies to the question, "What pei
cent Of your teachers have had two
years or more of training beyond high
schools?" show that in only a few
states have one-half the teachers had
That amount of training.
About one-sixth of the teacbino
forces in the American public schools
leaVe each year." continued Commits.
sloner Claxton. "Many of the women
leave to be married Or to enter otbe,
INES OF endeavor. In former wears
however, their places were ALWAYS
supplied from the new recruits.
Now the desirable recruits 90 else.
Where, and will continue to do 50 nm.
I'LL they receive something more than q