The Oakes times. [volume] (Oakes, N.D.) 1906-current, 1922-06-22
TEACHERS WAGE
LAW DISCUSSED
A. M. Kvello, President School Direc.
tors Association, Submits
Interesting Article
SAYS PRESENT LAW Is GOOD
More Efficient: Teachers Secured as
Result

Inc demand COQ8y IL 1Or more ell.
cheney in all lines of human endeavor.
We are not content to sit by and use
the tools that our fathers used, nor
follow antiquated methods. Machin-
cry considered modern ten years ago
is now in the scrap heap. Progress
does not mean standing still. The
present methods Of doing things in
private and public enterprises are
being subjected to the most critical
examinations and analysis. Methods
Of procedure and operation that are
found inadequate or wasteful. are
being laid aside and new forms SUBJ
stituted. This is true in almost all
lines Of human activity.
This progressive and constructive
program is being fostered by indivi-
duals and organizations Of every
nature. In educational lines the state
administration and State Teachers
association have been engaged in the
problem Of providing better schools
for the boys and girls Of North Dak-
ota. This problem has been particu-
larly acute in the country districts.
The outstanding defect there has been
a lack of qualified teachers. It has
been hard to find those willing to
work under the adverse conditions so
often found. The problems Of a one
room school house are such as to
challenge the best talent Of the teach
ing profession. It is no place for the
novice. Not only an educational
foundation is necessary but above all
else thorough training in methods
Of child control. The teacher must
be something more than mere in
structor. Unless she is trained
leader and inspirer Of her pupils, she
will have slight influence in their
character growth.
The country teacher has few of the
advantages Of her sister in the city
She is not privileged to have the
careful supervision each day Of q
trained superintendent; she has nc
teachers conference to talk her prob.
lens over with. The county .superin-
tendent at best can make but a few
visits a year, and these are brief
All the problems that come up must
be met and solved by this lone teacher
and the children are the ones who
pay the cost. But, with a competent
strong teacher to guide and lead
there will be built into their charac-
ters those elements of strength and
purpose that make for the kind Of
citizenship that the present needs and
the future will most imperatively de.
mand.
Unfortunately, this class Of teache,
will not seek these positions. Primar-
lily, because Of the low salaries offer
ed; secondarily, because Of the dis.
couragements Of the country position
generally, and the lack of advantages
compared to those Of the more settled
communities. In order to obtain
efficient teachers, salaries that will
attract that class must be paid. And
such salaries have not been generally
given. It was to provide standard
Of efficiency and then a minimum Of
salaries and a uniform scale for such
efficiency that the present law was
passed. Anyone who will read this
act, even casually, cannot but be con-
vinced that it was framed primarily
for the benefit Of the school children
of this state by protecting them from
teachers without training, and to
compel the hiring of teachers with
adequate preparation and training. 1t
cannot be expected that teachers of
that class will give their time and
their talent for from $50 to 500 a
month for working period Of from
six to nine months Of the twelve. The
consequence Of the system heretofore
prevailing is that you get what you
pay for and that is incompetent and
poorly trained teachers. The result
is that the pupils lose interest in the
school work; many drop out and only
a small proportion Of them finish the
eighth grade; and those who do COM
plete the course Of study get at best
only book learning.
There are two ways Of obtaining
more efficient teachers. The first is
in providing by law that no one shall
be allowed to teach except those who
have attained certain degree Of
knowledge and training. This should
certainly not be less than that estab-
lished in this act. The salary sched-
ule could be left to the boards, the
minimum training having been set.
This is what some today advocate.
But past experience has taught that
this results in confusion and constant