28l 



schools were paid equal wages, or at least they received the 

 same average salary. 



The present system of conducting the graded schools has 

 raised the salary to an average of $50.00 per month, while in 

 the ungraded schools the average is $30.00. 



In the towns and cities, superintendents and principals are em- 

 ployed, who spend much of their time in supervision of the 

 schools under their charge; also holding weekly meetings for 

 the benefit of the teachers, giving instructions, advising, consult- 

 ing and discussing matters and subjects pertaining to the better- 

 ment of the schools. 



Compare this system with the one in vogue in the country 

 schools. One or two visits per annum from the county super- 

 intendent is all that can be expected. It is an exception to hire 

 an inexperienced teacher in the graded schools. He must be 

 one of tact and skill, who has taught for some years with ap- 

 proved success before he is entrusted with so important a 

 position. 



In the country schools the directors usually employ teachers 

 without regard to special fitness or experience. As there are 

 usually about five or six applicants for each school it is an easy 

 matter to employ a teacher at low wages, the lowest one usually 

 getting the position, dwarfing some of the opportunities that 

 would result beneficially to the school. 



Out of 36 teachers employed in the graded schools 23 hold 

 first grade certificates. Out of 104 teachers in the country 

 schools 10 hold first grade certificates. 



The charity of this manner of hiring teachers is the only 

 commendable feature. The country school seems to be the 

 favorite place for teachers to learn to teach. In addition to all 

 this the graded schools are well supplied with libraries and 

 apparatus for imparting instruction in the easiest possible man- 

 ner. The libraries of the graded schools contain 1,500 volumes, 

 one for each pupil. Those of the ungraded contain but 100, one 

 volume for every 28 pupils, or rather 28 pupils for one small 

 volume. 



