Suggested Adjustments To Alleviate Teacher Shortages

Abstract

Special Group B, Special Adjustments Committee, of the Miami Beach Conference, held June 24-27, 1953, was asked to study and suggest possible adjustments to alleviate existing teach er shortages.

The circumstances which influenced the Commission to establish a special group to make such a study are set forth in the following excerpt from the "Suggested Agenda" for the Group:

"The continuing and critical shortage of qualified teachers, particularly at the elementary school level, is too well known to require elaboration. This shortage has occasioned the proposal of many remedial or curative plans. Some proposals are sound, many are indefensible and would tend to sacrifice the gains of recent years in the professional standards movement. These proposals cover a wide range of propositions—from complete abandonment of professional standards to a return to some aspects of the Dame Schools and the Lancastrian System. In between the extreme proposals, there are probably a number of steps which can be taken to alleviate the situation, to hold on to the professional concept of teaching, to relieve the pres sures developing out of the shortages, and to prevent the wholesale abandonment of standards which occurred throughout the United States during World War II. More important than the dangers of failure to advocate reasonable adjustments in a time of critical stress is the obliga tion to recognize the primacy of children to the right to a good teacher. How can this be done? How can the services of each qualified teacher be extended to a larger number of chil dren without undue strain upon the teacher and a decrease in his effectiveness?"

This report contains the recommendations of Special Group B. In publishing and dis tributing it to the profession, it is the Commission's hope that the suggestions may be helpful in encouraging sound adjustments, in forestalling the use of makeshift adjustments which might be harmful both to children and teachers, and in the maintenance of reasonable standards.

The Commission expresses appreciation to the members of Special Group B for this service to the profession.— Editor's Note.