The Selection of Prospective Teachers
C URRENT interest in the problem of the selection of prospective teachers has resulted directly from the numerical imbalance between the supply of teachers and the demand for them. Statements regarding teacher surplus, most of them rather unreliable, have led to the natural and sensible conclusion that one of the best ways to limit production is to raise the quality of the product. More careful study of the supply of teachers now shows the truth to be probably about one-half to one-tenth as severe as the alleged numerical surplusage seemed to imply. Furthermore, such surplus as has existed has been, on the whole, of rather poor quality. In Michigan, for example, reports from 365 school administrators and several teacherplacement bureaus indicate that less than 25 per cent of those available for placement can be recommended. Conditions of this sort impress upon us, on one hand, the insignificance of mere numerical statements regarding surplus and, on the other hand, the absolute necessity of damming up the flow of misfits into the profession. Recent experiences have convinced executive officers that in the interests of both professional and educational welfare, every effort must be exerted to turn out a teacher product that can stand the test of the increasingly critical consumer. How is the quality of the product to be raised? The space at my disposal does not permit a complete consideration of this complex problem; at best only a rough sketch of the subject can be presented. A thorough and detailed treatment of the question has been prepared by President Baker, of Milwaukee State Teachers College.' Although I find it impossible to subscribe to every view expressed therein, I suggest that the chapter by Mr. Baker be studied carefully by those interested in the problem. I shall not report to you the method of teacher selection employed in the institution which I represent because at best I could only say that we are attempting to develop a plan that will work. A number of educators from the Middle West have been meeting frequently at the University of Chicago to study and to develop co-operatively some