San Antonio light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1911-1993, 1923-10-21
ASK TEACHERS
CHURCH, LODGE
AFFILIATIONS
New QUESTIONABLE Con-
tains Many Personal
Questions.
SOME VOICE PROTEST
Opinion Expressed Major
ity Attach No Signifi-
canoe to Request.
SOME VOICE PROTEST

Questions as to church. club and
lodge affiliations are asked in the re-
vised teachers application cards be-
ing sent TO teachers in the San An.
tonic public school system by the
school board. Although the form is
primarily an application for appoint
ment, old as well as new teachers
have received the blanks. The APP
plication card in use last year did not
mention church, club or lodge affilia-
tons.
According to the prevailing opinion.
the majority of teachers attach no
significance TO the fact that this in
formation has been requested. Two or
three teachers. however, have protested
against giving this information, ac-
cording 10 reports received st the
school board office-
School board officials have pointed
out in the past that there are many
inquiries made at the school board
office. especially by patrons of the
school. as to the church. club and lodge
affiliations of teachers. This informa-
ton. they say. has been exacted OF
teachers in the Houston and Dallas
public schools for many years. An
other purpose for ascertaining the
church affiliations of a new teacher,
il was said. is I at such information
may be turned over 10 the pastors of
churches who are in a position 10 ex-
tend a welcome to the new ,eachers.
-dany Personal Questions,
The new application blank is far
more comprehensive than the one here
tofore in use, and from the nature of
the questions indicates that In the
future an added emphasis will be
placed upon the personal equation. Es-
pecially is this noticeable in the list
of questions under the section entitled,
''personal."
Under this section, the applicant
is asked as to church, club and lodge
affiliations the present condition of
health; if married. the number of
childen and in the case of women, her
maiden name; if a member of the
National Educational Association and
the Texas State Teachers Association:
if he or she has duties that would
, interfere with accepting any assign
ment of the good of the schools, or
attending meetings or participating in
other activities outside of the school
I house; and if elected if he or she will
work cheerfully wherever assigned.
The only personal questions asked
in the old application cards were as to
age, height, weight and time Of vacci-
nation.
Base Salary on Qualifications.
In anticipation of the adoption of
the new salary schedule upon which
education qualifications will determine
the amount of salary paid TO teacher,
the subject of education is thoroughly
covered in the application blank. In
addition to listing the amount of
work accomplished in elementary, high
and normal schools, college, university,
graduate. summer and special work,
the teacher is required to list all
courses taken that have qualified the
applicant to teach the subject under
which he is applying. Also to list the
educational journals habitually read
p and to name the best books in educa-
q ton read this year.
Under the section devoted to ques-
tons as to experience, they IRE asked
as to experience in specific fields of
education work.
That there is really no ominous
significance in the fact that a teacher
is asked as to church affiliations,
school board officials believe, has been
indicated by the attitude of the school
board as expressed in a meeting sew
eral months ago, when the matter of
q church affiliations of teachers was
brought up for discussion. At that
time, the board member said that per-
sonally he vas of the opinion that no
applicant who attended no church
should be elected to the teaching staff.
The UNCONVENTIONAL affiliation of the
teacher, he expl; ined, was of little
consequence if the teacher attended
church. The other board members
however, indicated that their atti-
tude was that the church affiliation
or non-affiliation should not be a de.
termining factor.