isa-normaladvance-1903-00104

Description:	104THE NORMAL ADVANCE.can only be suggestive. From what has been saidit is clear that two things at least, are necessary:Give the teacher a longer term of school and payher a salary that will make her independent in herwork. Here comes the rub! This demands moremoney. More, money comes from the people whoare now complaining under the burden of taxes.To raise more money means higher taxes, eitherlocal or state. This makes us believe that onething, which might benefit many poor localitiesand even the state at large, is the restoration ofthe rate of state tax for common schools from 11to 16 cents.This reduction in the state levy was made in1899. In 1879 the amount of tuition distributedby the state was about $1,500,000, in 1889, $1,-900,000, and in 1899, $2,000,000 while theamout of local tuition raised for those three yearswas about $580,000, $1,000,000 and $2,542,-552.43, respectively. This shows that the increasein the states distribution has been a little morethan 33 per cent. while the increase in the localfund raised has been over 400 per cent. At thelast State Association a resolution was passedfavoring this desired restoration of the state levy.The public and officials complain—and justly,too—that teachers are not well enough equipped—they need education and experience. No onewill attempt to deny this truth for a moment.This cannot be done but by making the businessof teaching in our districts and towns a sustaining profession. Many other states have solvedthis problem what other states can do, Indianacan. Better trained teachers will come the moment they can be hired for a longer term at betterwages. The size of the salary usually indicatesthe quality of work done. As the salaries increaseprofessional training and experience increases as wages decrease, the best teachers in these lowerstrata of the vocation step into other work although they love teaching best of all.Some distinction should be and is being givento those who do seek a good education. Theteacher who has professional training should begiven the preference. It is sadly true that teaching and politics walk too nearly hand in hand.Many trustees consider more minutelv an applicants political views or those of his father thanthey do his educational qualifications. The teachers should be so employed that experience andtraining would have more weight than any otherconsideration.After she is once hired she should not bechanged from year to year for slight causes. Sheshould be employed for a longer period than oneterm, with the power reserved by the officials ofremoving her upon proper charges. It ought tobe so arranged that a teacher has the unquestionedright to remain at one place until she wishes to resign or until she proves unfit for that place.Moreover, when a teacher makes a contract sheought to be held to that for at least a term.Teachers in their strife to gain higher places willleave a place at almost any time without muchwarning. ,The conditions and terms of a contract thatcould be agreed upon by both teacher and authority, and that would make a small change, at least,in the right direction, might be given here. Ateacher should agree to acquire a thorough education and professional training designated by thestate, to prove herself a skillful teacher by sufficient experience, to love her work, and to promise to stay in the profession as long as possible.These terms being fulfilled the government shouldsay, we will hire you to teach this township ortown school at a salary that will call for all yourtime and energies as long as you wish it and aslong as you, after our careful inspection, proveworthy of the place.When this contract can be put in effect—and itcan—we shall have made teaching in our districtsand small towns a grand profession in everysense. Until we arrive at some such state, thebusiness of teaching in these places will be a meretool for youths and girls to use as a stepping-stoneto something of better pay. A change for thebetter is in the future and let us hope and pray,not very far! W. A. Austin, 01.
Source:	http://indstate.contentdm.oclc.org/cdm/ref/collection/isuarchive/id/33869
Collection:	Indiana State University Archives

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