Conant Study Proposes Higher Pay For Experienced Career Teachers

James B. Conant '14, President Emeritus, proposed Monday a three-point program to improve the quality of public school teachers in the United States.

Speaking before a convention of the American Association of School Administrators in Atlantic City, N.J., Conant outlined the conclusions of a two-year study of the education of teachers. The study will be published next fall as the fourth of Conant's surveys of various aspects of contemporary American education.

In his speech Monday, Conant urged large salary increases for teachers who had demonstrated their ability during at least four years of teaching. In this way, he said, additional funds "could be used to reward experienced and dedicated teachers, rather than the transients who are now attracted by the starting salary."

Conant also suggested that extra pay be given experienced teachers who provide on-the-job training to new teachers. He said this was necessary in order to turn new teachers into qualified instructors as rapidly as possible.

Finally, Conant proposed that the best teachers be used to supervise college students on their practice teaching assignments. He said that this high-quality supervision should be paid for out of state funds, since there is no assurance that students will remain with the same school system in which they do their practice teaching.

Although only the barest outline of Conant's latest study was made available, it appears to incorporate the same pragmatic approach, moderate tone, and absence of radical proposals which characterized Conant's first two surveys.

Conant began his survey of American education in 1959 with the publication of "The American High School Today." Among the study's many specific suggestions were the institution of a required program of English, social studies, math and science for all secondary school students, special programs for the "academically talented," and better voca- tional training and guidance.

Though the study was attacked by some critics because it compromised with the existing "system," Conant's defenders had particular praise for his emphasis on specifics, and his refusal to engage in sweeping criticism.

The same pragmatic approach was continued in "Education in the Junior High School Years," published in October, 1960, which was addressed specifically to educators and school administrators. Here Conant urged that the junior high school concentrate on preparing its students academically for senior high school, and that they avoid emphasis on athletic programs and pretentious graduating ceremonies.

Conant's studies have been published by the Educational Testing Service and financed by the Carnegie Corporation