The Brattleboro daily reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1913-1955, 1921-02-12

our prospective teachers, together with
the evident handicaps under which these
schools have been, and must continue to-
be conducted, are convincing proofs that
they alone cannot provide sufficient
number of teachers.
This reluctance CT girls to enter the
normal schools is evidently recognized
for Section Is is so drawn a. to force
girls to these normal schools after not
more than two years of teaching CT out
of teaching; but. as will be noted later,
his is a very. questionable requirement.
1.-THE arbitrary provision in Section J.
for the expenditure of $4,000 annually
irrespective of needs or conditions, is I'M
wise and should be modified.
The bill, however. Is loosely drawn
as to administration and finance, and
contains serious defects.
Section L. for example. provides for
payment OF regular tuition charges of
students enrolled in such colleges but
makes no provision for funds to cover
this expense. The present tuition rates
at AIiddlebury and the University OF
Vermont are $50 per- year. The major
ity of students would take four-ycar
course, but many would enroll for two
years. y total enrolment OF 300 stu
dents (which would be a reasonable and
desirable numbcrD would require $50.
900 annually. for which no provision is
made.
Section l. requires the utilization of
the two colleges with the state school
of education under the terms of this act,
to insure continuance of students. The
effect of this provision is peculiar. Mid
dlebury college does have at present an
annual state appropriation of $4,000
for the maintenance of pedagogical
(teacher training) department.
To this department, supported by the
state, students are not admitted without
payment of regular tuition rates. The
hill nrOviInC no nv hn
state Of tuition for students in this de
partment, already supported by the state.
This would work practically as an in
crease in the state appropriation for Mid
dlebury college for the support of its
teacher training department.
with the University of Vermont the
case is different. There is no state APP
preparation to that institution for train
ing of teachers as contemplated in the
bill, except Il small amount for agricul-
tural instructors, matching Smith
Hughes federal appropriation. which
could not be forfeited under Section l.
of the bill.
Should Divide Equally.
"Thcreforc. the bill leaves with the
University of Vermont the option of CON
Quoting Il college division of the state
school of education at its own expense.
unaided (beyoud tuition receiptsl by
state appropriations in contrast TO n
similar department at AIiddlebury sup
ported both by tuition receipts and a gem
erous appropriation from the state; or
the University of Vermont may decline
TO affiliate under this condition i'm in
equality. in which the case has no re
source. The latter decision would auto
matically result in establishing Middle
bury college the sole stateaided teacher
training college, result that would be
unfortunate in many particulars.
The bill, if passed, should in fair
ness provide for equal state aid for the
department in each college. This seems
the more iustifiabIe when it is realized
that the University of Vermont has for
years provided more teachers for Yer
mont schools than has Middebury col
lege. The list of teachers in the office
mot entirely completel shows II high
school teachers who are graduates of the
University of Vermont and 10 of Middle
bury. Either the present appropriation
of $4,000 should be divided equally. or
if continued as at present an equal
amount should be appropriated for the
University of Vermont for a pedagog
zeal department
Would Force Attendance.
The further provision that even en-
ployment in rural schools is limited to a
maximum of two years without addi-
tional trainingD would be an even strong
or deterrent from enlistment.
For those who should enter teaching
under these conditions, the effect of the
bill would be to force them at the end
of two years at most to attend Castle
ton or Johnson normal school, or to stop
teaching. Either alternative would auto
matically add annually to a large number
of vacancies beyond the normal number
of losses.
Expenses incurred through this meas
IRE are not provided for. save for the
normal division. Lacking necessary APP
preparations. the normal schools alone
could be established and conducted
The cost of the teacher training pro-
gram outlined is very difficult to deter