five years. How did Nevada salaries for teachers compare in 1914-1915 with those in other States? How have salaries increased in other parts of the country in the last five-year period? How have salaries and wages in other lines of employment increased? What has been the increased cost of living? Finally, on a comparative basis are the salaries of teachers relatively higher or lower for the year 1919-1920 than for the year 1914-1915?

The fact that principals' and superintendents' salaries have gone up over $500, high-school instructors' salaries more than $250, etc. (more than one-fourth in the first case and less than one-fourth in the latter case) does not mean much by itself. The cost of living and the relative increase in salaries and wages in other lines is the real measure of what the salary situation is, and this basis must be taken to judge whether the influence of salaries is being exerted to draw away teachers into other lines of occupation, or to encourage them to remain in the profession. Let us look at the facts as far as available.

The April Bulletin of the California Teachers' Association contains a great deal of fresh and valuable material on the salary situation. From this California bulletin facts for the following comparisons are obtained:

Nevada Has Lower Salaries Than California

In 1913-1914 California paid its teachers an average salary of $950 a year. This has been increased in the six years following to an average salary of $1,283, or a 32% increase.

Nevada salaries have risen from $906 as an average in 1914-1915 to $1,172 for 1919-1920. (Some principals' salaries have been counted. twice in these figures, which fact accounts for a slightly greater apparent increase than is actually the case. These are the only figures at hand, and give the advantage in favor of a larger showing.) Nevada salaries averaged less than California salaries in 1913-1914, and in 1919-1920 are relatively still lower than before. Comparisons with other States are not yet available.

Wages in Other Employments Compared With Teachers' Salaries The average wage for 66 industrial occupations in San Francisco is $7.12 per day, or $185.12 per month. This is an increase of 61% since 1916. Common laborers receive $6 per day, or $156.50 per month.

The average monthly salary of teachers in California is $106.95; in Nevada it is $97.50. This comparison does not give much hope of arousing an interest in the teaching profession in the minds of the best grade of our young people today. As the California Bulletin expresses it: "Just how long can the educational department hope to compete with the street-cleaning department if this unjust discrimination continues!"

Increased Cost of Living Compared With Increased Salaries

The Government report on the increased cost of living, as revealed by the wholesale prices from 1915 to 1919, shows that the cost of living has more than doubled. Taking Nevada salaries, $906 in 1914-1915 and $1,172 in 1919-1920, the real basis of comparison is found by dividing $1,172 by 2, giving a real salary value of $586 for 1919-1920, in terms of the cost of living. In other words, salaries are much lower in value this current year than they were five years ago.

Do we wonder that with the real value of teachers' salaries falling instead of rising, it is difficult to persuade the best material among our young people to take up the teaching profession?

THRIFT AND SAVINGS PROGRESS

According to newspaper reports Nevada is again holding second place in the Twelfth Federal Reserve District in the purchase of Thrift Stamps and Savings Stamps and securities. Oregon again holds the honor of first place.

Organization plans have been delayed. It will largely depend upon each teacher's interest and service whether the practice of Thrift will keep pace with its teaching in our schools. Plan with your children ways of earning during the summer. Talk to your local postmaster. Report results to your Deputy Superintendent or to the state office. The June issue of the Bulletin can be used to publish special means found helpful in promoting this work in school and community.

NATIONAL EDUCATION ASSOCIATION MEETING

The N. E. A. meeting in Salt Lake July 4-10 calls more strongly than usual for the attendance of Nevada teachers. The place is nearer home than usual and the importance of problems to be considered is unusually great.

The increase in teachers' salaries, shortage of teachers, plans for reorganization of the N. E. A. so as to affiliate every State Teachers' Association with the N. E. A., are some of the general insistent calls to be considered. The usual helpful reports, discussions, and addresses will be found.

Then the inspiration of such a professional gathering will be worth the time and expense involved.

Principals and superintendents are urged to have their schools represented.

Write the State Director, Superintendent S. O. Welday, Elko, Nevada, for further particulars concerning the meeting.

H. J. Stearns, Room 313, City and County Building, Salt Lake City, Utah, has charge of accommodations.

THE STATE TEACHERS' EXAMINATIONS

Beginning June 14, 1920, the state examinations for teachers will be held at various points, wherever the number of teachers is sufficient to justify the expense of conducting them. Teachers should therefore write to the Deputy Superintendent of their district notifying him where they desire to take the examinations. By doing this now, arrangements can be made that will accommodate the greatest number.

The examinations are being held a week earlier than last year, as schools have not been delayed by epidemic as they were last year. In this way teachers who plan to take the examinations, and also attend Summer School, can do so.

If any one should fail in a subject or two, such deficiencies could be made up in the Summer School at Reno, making it possible still to secure regular full certification.

EIGHTH-GRADE FINAL EXAMINATIONS

The second and final seventh-and-eighth-grade examination questions will be sent out for use by teachers for Tuesday, May 25. If teachers have not already notified their Deputy Superintendent of the number of sets of questions required, they should do so at once that no delay or inconvenience may arise.

If any uncertainties still remain, clear these up at once by writing the Deputy Superintendent.

TEACHERS' FINAL REPORTS

The final reports of teachers are required by law to be made out one week before the close of school and sent to the Deputy Superintendent for approval before Trustees' order for the last month's salary can be drawn in favor of the teacher. The final report is to cover the whole year's work regardless of how many teachers have taught in the district during the school year.

Revised annual-report blanks are now being printed and will be sent out to the teachers within a few days. Should the revised form not reach any teachers in time to be used this year, such teachers will use the annual-report blank in the back part of the school register.

Check carefully to see that you have kept the register as per the directions given on the inside of the cover of the register. Remember that absences of five or more days in succession are not counted, pupils who have been absent for such time being considered as having dropped out of school.

LIBRARY BOOK MONEY

Has your district purchased at least $5 worth of library books this year? Under section 153 of the 1919 School Laws, this is required.

INFORMATION ON NEVADA RURAL SCHOOLS

The class in Rural Education of the Department of Education of the University of Nevada has prepared and sent out to all the rural school districts a questionnaire on conditions that prevail in the various districts.

The teachers can render an important service to the cause of rural education in Nevada by filling out accurately and promptly the questionnaire, and returning same to the University. The teachers can rest assured that the information asked for will not be used except for professional purposes. The name of the teacher does not even appear on the questionnaire, and she is not asked to give any information of a personal nature to show her relations with, or feelings toward, the school board of her district.

There is here offered the rural teacher an opportunity for constructive service, and her professional interest will prompt a ready and hearty response.

If any teacher has not received a questionnaire, she should write immediately and request same from the Department of Education of the University of Nevada.

If any question should seem distasteful to any teacher, she should answer the others, omitting the one objectionable to her, and send in the reply promptly. -W. J. H.

REVERSION OF SURPLUS SCHOOL FUNDS

In section 152 of the Nevada School Code it is provided that any state and county money as a balance in the district school fund of any district on July 10 in excess of $250 per census teacher shall revert to the county school fund of the county, unless the State Superintendent of Public Instruction exempts the funds of the district from such reversion, under the following provisions:

If the trustees of any school district shall certify to the superintendent of public instruction that a new building, or repairs on an old school building, are necessary to the district, and that the trustees have been authorized by vote of the district, if a vote is required, to build such new school building, or to make such needed repairs, or that the balance in the funds of the district is necessary for the maintenance of school in the district, and that the trustees have estimated that the cost of such new school building, needed repairs, or school maintenance is to be.............. dollars, the superintendent of public instruction shall make whatever investigation he may deem best, and if he shall become satisfied that such new building or repairs are necessary in the district, or that the balance of the funds in the district is necessary for the maintenance of school in the district, and that the amount estimated to be spent for such new building, repairs, or maintenance of school is a reasonable amount to be set aside for the purpose mentioned, he shall not make the deductions as provided in this section but he shall make such deductions as will leave the funds in the district an amount equal to the estimated amount to be spent for such new building, repairs, or maintenance of school, together with two hundred and fifty dollars for each teacher assigned to that district upon the basis of one teacher for every thirty census children or fraction thereof as shown by the last preceding school census. As amended, 1919, 157–158.

The purpose of the law is not to deprive any district of funds that should be used for the necessary expenditures of the district, but to avoid the piling up of a large unnecessary balance in any case.

If all districts concerned will send in notification to their Deputy Superintendents concerning the need of any balance, larger than $250 per census teacher, the several Deputies will report to the State Superintendent for his approval. -W. J. H.

U. OF N. SUMMER SCHOOL

To the Teachers of Nevada:

Of course you are planning to attend the Summer Session of the University of Nevada.

Where else could you have such a happy profitable vacation amidst such delightful surroundings and with such pleasant people at so small

a cost? Tuition, books, board, room, and excursions will cost you but $75 for the full six weeks.

High-school teachers will find help and inspiration in Dr. Fisher's course in Adolescent Psychology, Mr. Aiton's History work, Professor Goggio's Romanic Language classes, Professor Turner's English work, and the course in Education 105 and 106, as well as in observing Miss Kidder's work with the seventh- and eighth-grade children.

Recreation and new ideas may be obtained by taking games and folk dancing, art, and music, to say nothing of the good line of talks that are to be given in the general assembly periods.

Special emphasis has been laid on the offerings for the elementary teachers. The demonstration classes will be a gold mine of ideas for those who observe and take the method work covering the teaching of reading, composition, literature, history, and the primary subjects with Miss Kidder and Miss Raymond. Professor Traner is offering for them his most instructive courses in Geography teaching, in School Law and Management, and in the Principles of Teaching. Professor Mack will show them how to enliven the teaching of arithmetic, composition, geography, etc., by bringing into the classroom out-of-door interests. She will also give a most interesting course in personal hygiene designed to show how one may live a healthy, happy, normal life. Professor Nyswander will give a thorough course in the teaching of arithmetic, besides offering an opportunity to make up some high-school mathematics. Miss Duame's commercial subjects and penmanship instruction will give splendid opportunity in this line.

Dr. Fisher has won for herself a national reputation, and is recognized as one of the leading psychologists on the Pacific Coast. She has studied and received her three degrees from leading universities; her Ph.D. degree was conferred upon her at Clark University, where she majored in pyschology under the famous Dr. G. Stanley Hall. Besides teaching in the Southern Branch of the University of California, Dr. Fisher is connected with the Psychological Clinic of the Los Angeles public schools.

Mr. Aiton is an Associate in the Department of History at the University of California, Berkeley, and has had exceptional training for his work, having studied extensively both in this country and France and having received degrees from several institutions.

The members of the regular University staff are all skilled in their special fields and are ready to give the students every possible assistance.

Every student is expected to take part in the Saturday excursions and the Friday-evening frolics. So come prepared to lay books aside and to play together on those occasions. The next week's work will go better if you do.

"Pack up your bedding and your books," and start for Reno, where we hope to greet you on June 20.

Cordially yours,

ABBIE LOUISE DAY, Director of Summer Session.