Evening star., 1949-07-08
Letters to The Star
Argues For Continuance
OF Two Months Vacation for Teac

Argues For Continuance
OF Two Months Vacation for Teachers
To the Editor of The Star:
Your reporting as news the views of James
I. Stewart, high school principal in Ari-
Zona, might be construed as an Endorsement
of a program to abolish the summer recess
customarily observed in the American edu-
cational system. The possibility that your
paper does approve the speakers words i'm
pei me to write my first letter to an editor
in an effort to correct the erroneous i'm
preston that teachers are an over privileged
class who enjoy a summer-long vacation.
During the September to-June school year
a conscientious teacher must work mini
mum OF fifty hours week if he wishes
merely to maintain normal teaching regi-
men-lesson preparation classroom, honest
and careful grading of students written
assignments, and progressively tedious ad-
ministrative details In addition to this
regular work week, most capable teachers
find time to further at least one of many
valuable civic projects, such as the Boy
Scouts, the Future Farmers, etc.
Accord the teacher who works the mini
mum SO hour week the same compensatory
leave credit a Government clerk receives
and the teacher would be entitled each
year to about two months compensatory
leave, which, when added to the usual
annual leave of the Government clerk would
entitle the teacher to the summer-long
vacation Mr.. Stewart mentioned
But, enlightened educators do not look
upon the summer months as vacation or
even as a period of rest. Instead, it is a
respite from the pressure of the class
room made available so that the teachers
themselves can learn, seek professional and
intellectual growth
Must Advance Selves in Summer.
Every reputable educational institution ex-
poets each of its teachers to utilize the sum-
mer months in manner calculated to make
him better teacher. In some public school
systems teachers absolutely are required
to attend university summer sessions period
ically; other school boards do not require
such attendance but pay increases and pro-
motions, IN pursuance to stated policy or
otherwise, will 60 to the teachers who do
in fact attend.
Upon higher level the doctrine publish
or perish" in force at many, if not ALL of
our universities, takes full account of the
summer. Letters of appointment to the fac
ulty OF Stanford University contain the
warning that the fourth quarter will be
utilized for reSearch).
More important than the opportunity for
formal improvement, evidenced by degrees,
certificates or published writings, is the
academic intellectual edifcation of the
teacher. summer of travel or of intelligent
reading returns the teacher to his class
room better qualified to fill the role he must
play in the lives of his students.
IT Mr.. Stewards reference to the di-
minished necessity for students to help
on the farm is to be construed as advocacy
OF twelve-month accelerated program,
one can only say that educationa expert
ence has demonstrated the undesirability
OF such programs except in cases where
education previously has been interrupted
or delayed.
Mr.. Stewart appears to be not above
being illogical if that is necessary to rein
force point. He states that the only reason
for the summer vacation was to allow the
academic community to assist with the
farm work Today there is less need for
farm workers. therefore no need for the
vacation.
Actually, even a century ago there existed
the same educationally sound reasons for
the summer vacation. which reasons were
not impaired by the fact that many teachers
found employment on farms
Unfortunately. the teachers summer
months comprise neither the gay holiday
Mr.. Stewart pictures nor the study period
for which sound educators strive. Because
teachers salaries have not kept abreast of
imitation, most teachers find it necessary to
accept employment during the summer, and
today. in Washington, you can find your
public school teachers driving taxicabs and
sightseeing buses, and in other seasonal
jobs. Perhaps some actually are working
on farms. JOHN RICHARD Drummer.