New Britain herald., 1929-01-29
DEGREES AND SALARIES


 titled to more money as school teacher than the teacher who lacks the degrees?
 According to the Board of Educa- ton, which took negative action In the case of certain M. A. degrees re- gently, she isn't
 According to the teachers who made a special effort. through in- creased study. to obtain the degrees. the school boards opinion is wrong. They say they are entitled to more pay because they know more.
 The school board, if it were pressed for further explanation, doubtless would counter that the teachers with the degrees may know more. but not necessarily about teaching.
 The teachers could rctort that a knowledge of the subjects which earned the degrees is prima facie evidence that they can teach better.
 Of course. we do not propose to be referee in this ticklish question. But few general observations from an outsider might not be amiss.
 The increased systematic knowl- edge that comes with a degree well earned in itself compensates for the effort and expense required in ob- taining it. Whether the added knowl- edge can be coined into money is secondary. The man or woman who reads a library of books is certain to gain mentally, but in this world that is no guarantee that he will be able to earn a cent more on account of such mental gains.
 But this observation does not ap- ply to all callngs. The teaching pro. fession is peculiarly dependent upon the knowledge that it's practitioner possess. A person lacking education could not teach others: hence il readily comes to mind that the moro education a teacher possesses tho more valuable she becomes as g teacher
 Unfortunately for purposes oi analysis there is the limit of knowl- edge required by specialization ir various grades or studies Suppose g grade teacher by study and effort manages to acquire as much knowl. edge as the average high school in. structor possesses. This may not ofter happen, or may never happen; but is merely a supposition for purpose: of illustration. In such supposed case, the knowledge possessed by tho grade teacher would not of itsel command the salary usually awarded to the high school teacher. The req son is, the education acquired by the grade teacher is more than the cit, is buying of grade teacher. If thi grade teacher insisted on being paic in conformity with her knowledg' she would be forced to enter a high CT sphere of teaching.
 It is just like the store clerk wh, is as we'll educated as the manager or who equals him in knowledge o the business, experience, and in al probability could shoulder cxecutiv responsibilities. In spite of thes fine qualities, the clerk will not re ceive as much as the manager II might receive a little more tha otherwise would be the case, but h won't get the managers salary unt he has the managerial job.
 Our aspiring school teachers wh have gone to expense and effort | obtain the M A. degree are gainer in two ways even though they di not receive the expected increase i salary at this time. They possess th increased knowledge, and by addin to it they can fit themselves for
 higher position in their profession They have less of distance to trav, in this respect than those who di . not earn the degrees. Consequent we feel like congratulatng thel upon their ambition and the stamina in acquiring the increase learning while under the handicap earning their livelihood Having a z ready made these gains they al tuned up to increase their advantag
 Even the members of the scho
 board salary committee can scarce :. claim that the effort was wasted. | AS vl NV