Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1922-12-07

but he loses the yearly increment isuto-
matte increase Of salary with length OF
service). In soms districts teachers OF
experience have been dismissed to make
room for less experienced tea,her who
will come for less salary. This may mean
the saving Of n few dollars to the COM
munity, but it means the loss of & teacher
familiar with the needs of the district, and
It further means that every child in the
district does not have an equal edu cationnl
opportunity.
No Additional Expenditure
1.-The bill which We would like to see
passed calls for no additional approximation
OF the public moneys. On the other hand,
W" believe that it will actually save money
Tor the state by avoiding the industrial
turnover with its resultant heavy costs,
1t costs every district mone% to train
teachers to the particular needs Of that
community, and II they are dismissed after
thoroughly learning these needs and being
prepared to minister to them. the com
munity certainly does not realize on its
investment.
1.-THE bill will be introduced at the com.
ing session of the State Legislature. 1t
was framed by three members Of the league
anu inrvr members Of the Pennsylvania
State Educational Association and embolies
the views Of both Of these organizations.
The proposed measure will safeguard the
highest educational standards in two ways;
first, by granting tenure Of office only to
the competents who have mer the necessary
educational tests and who have served n
probationary period, and, second, by with
drawing tenure of Office from those who
cease to render efficient. moral service
Big Percentage Of Changes
There is considerably larger proper.
ton or changes among the teachers of the
tnfn IA
1t has been estimated that % per cent OF the
teachers of Pennsylvania are annually made
| wanderers. This means that for at least
one half OF the yenr teachers are in feor
and anxiety as to whether they will be re-
| elected.
'Thc tenure Of position now exists in
the states Of New York, New Jersey, Mas.
| sachusetis, California, Maryland Colorado,
Montana and Oregon. 1t has proved highly
| successful in these States. as the testimony
or superintendents and others qualified n
| Judge shows. The project has been heartily
| Endorsed by the leading educational outhor.
tiles as voiced in the National Educationo,
association.
| 1T is said that annual elections ofora
means OF dropping poor teacher; bur
for moral and economic reasons. nm i,o,',. n"'
petent teacher should not be retained ro.
single day. Under the proposed tavf,na rVr a
law an incompetent teacher can be dIsn,i,vas
| at any time. 'cd
| Promote Better Relations
'Indor the provisions of tha ,r,,,..-,
tenure law the board loses none .'"FoStn - '.s
powers. since the final decision nc ", W. as
missal remains with it. But il vii, ~ ,o,. a,S.
| IN better understanding between th 'rSu't
board and the teachers. promotins ~" n,. iocai
confidence between employer and emnarud rud'
| 1T will result in giving the scbon, oIn
dren better equipped and happier tencba.s Sa'.'
Relieved of the ever present fear of nners' romns'
teachers will throw themselves hearth in1,
their work and will have the tina an, 'hto
disposition to evolve policies of ben"S, 'ae
the child. "e"ent to
1T will also aid the supcrintord..u
The strongest asset superintendent hoa a.
promote his politics Is contented nus y, 10
bilized teaching staff and ali rea.o'', S,h'
| shows that tenure makes for stohili,oti'ns
In the past, lack Of tenure has nor s.r''a ,"'n;
, to remove unsatisfactory teachers bona,.'n ''n
the records show that the compntent auSe ,ooau
fails as often to obtain re-eection as'.rr as ,,
incompetent. If the system Of .Ia,.t;ne tne
annually has not proved satisfactory ,Shs
not Try another method which bas hons WY
tested and approved by educational an,bn."
ities! The great gain will be a comnaton.
eontented teacher in every classroom onJ
better instruction for the children. anu