Evening star., 1932-10-30
DANGER TO CIVILIZATION
FORESEEN in DEPRESSION
Curtailed School Bud gets and Teacher
Salaries Among Factors to Be Fought.
Psychological Results Serious.

| Lllc DuukcI CLAJIIdl
thinking regarding the underlying con-
ditionS of school finance will fall far
short of the mark. This is not time
for the absolute reign Of eXpediencv. Ex-
pediency must be tempered by critical
analysis of causes judicial thinking
about remedial measures and deliberate
planning for the future financing Of
public education.
In the second place, public school peo-
pie are compelled to justify their pro-
grams of education as they have not in
several generations. They must evaluate
| their practices and procedures in the
selection OF educational activities i'm
posed by present financial limitations.
| This compulSion Is very healthful for
our public schools. Public education is
in constant danger of Unconstitutional
lzation. 1t was created by society as an
agency for the advancement of social
progress. 1t owes its origin and its eX-
iStence to the public at large There are
some school men-tOO many-Who forget
that society is bigger than public edu-
cation. They expect that financial and
moral support Of the public without
recognizing the importance nav, neces-
slty, OF accounting for their stewardship.
This is overinstitutionalization the ever
present danger. Adversely has demanded
an accounting.
! Schools and Society.
! Many taxpayers are asking nova
days whether or not the public is paving
TOO much for its schools. The answer
must be negative in view OF the i'm
portance of education in a democratic
society. 1t is folly. however 10 oppose
reduction in school expenditures under
existing economic conditions Let the
public schools be the last to suffer. and
4 in, 1a
/ tons for professional services be the last
/ to be reduced but let no schoolman de-
lude himself that the public schools are
something apart from or above society
as whole. The separatist idea in
public education is fallacious at any
time now it is futile as well. An aWak-
enlng on this point will be in the long
run. benefit to public education.
Another question asked by taxpayers,
who are friends of public education, re-
lates TO the probable results Of
temporary reductions IN school expendi-
lures. This forces Schoolmen into
denomination Of the purposes policies
and programs Of public education.
Sensible school administrators will re-
ply: No. We cannot do all We ought
TO do without additional financial as
. s,stance but We can realize the essen
tial values in our present program
even though our budgets remain as
they have been or are reasonably re-
duced." It seems clear that by some
reorganization. by the elimination Of
extravaganza and by rigid economy the
essential values Of the present program
may be retained or should suffer no
/ serious losses The school administra-
tor who takes this position sees public
education sanely: he establishes his
position in the public as sensible citi-
zen. and he renders the institution Of
public education an invaluable service.
Adversely thus becomes a benefit 10 So
Ciety and to its schools.
Another benefit of adversely may be
found in the improved work of the
teachers in our schools. Competition
IS so keen for educational positions that
those in service realize that their work
must be unusually creditable or they
must give va" to those who are pre-
pared to render more competent serv-
ice. Consequently, teachers are more
alert today than ever before and ad-
ministrative officers are requiring high
er qualifications Of newly appointed
teachers than ever before. Present day
conditions have directed the attention
of teachers to economic, political and
social problems in marked degree II
seems safe assumption that teachers
today are more aware of and more
: intelligent concerning the present prob
lens of our present-day world than
they have ever been in the past The
wise teacher in service and the prospec-
tive teacher will take advantage of all
available means provided by the COL
leges and universities. the press. the
public forum. the radio and similar
educative agencies to improve their
abilities as intelligent and effective
workers in the most important public
service that exists.
Applies TO to All Institutions.
What has been stated with reference
to schools applies to every type of edu-
cational institution-pubhc schools ths
State universities, State teachers COL
/ leges and normal schools privately
endowed colleges and universities the
/ eleemoSynary private schools and those
special private schools that are Or
ganized on the basis of commercial
profit No single one of these lnsti-
tutions can afford to ignore the eco
nCmic conditions Of the present. No
one of these institutions can afford to
overlook the imperative need of rem
dering high-grade educational! service
at all times. Taxpayers have right
to insist that our schools provide the
best possible school programs in terms
Of highly selected educational values.
] Teachers supervisors and administra-
/ tors in these schools must see sys-
tematic education in the proper rela-
tion to other community needs and
then demonstrate their professional
alertneSs and improve their profess
sional abilities TO the end that lavmen
in education will accord them proper
recognition in times Of adversely as
we'll as in times of prosperity.