# LCMS Convention Proceedings_St. Louis Missouri_1953_S962
# Machine transcription, uncorrected — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration)

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140 SEMINARIES AND COLLEGES

demand for new teachers was 2,684. Of these Synod :
1,012 at the spring assignments. From September, 1949, to Sep-
tember, 1950, the gain in classrooms was 184, and the number of
teachers lost (according to reports up to May, 1950, not inchiding
the summer months) was 518, making a total demand of 702
(actual demand probably 750). If the total demand was 759 new
teachers, Synod furnished a fraction over 31 per cent (235 Persons)
while the corigregations had to find almost 69 per cent (515 Persons).

The Immediate Outlook

In an effort to determine the teacher demand, we took our
record of child Baptisms and predicted the school enrollment for
the years 1948 to 1955. Late statistics showed that the schoo]
enrollment ranged from 28.1 to 30.3 per cent of child Baptisms in
corresponding years. Taking 30 per cent as a conservative figure,
our predictions were exceeded in 1948 and 1949 and very closely
approximated in 1950, 1951, and 1952. According to this estimate,
we should have a gain of 261 classrooms, and a total demand for
978 new teachers in 1953; a gain of 248 classrooms and a total
demand for 1,017 new teachers in 1954; and a gain of 232 classrooms
and a total demand for 1,051 new teachers in 1955. This is no more
than a prediction or indication, but one which has so far been
approximated. It may not be fulfilled.

Suppose the demand in 1955 would be 1,000 new teachers,
If our present teacher-training institutions should reach the goal
of 500 men and women teachers, which they have tentatively set
for themselves, they would still be supplying only 50 per cent
of the demand. They would not yet replace teacher losses, which
for that year are estimated to be about 750. We realize that con-
gregations will always secure a certain number of teachers them-
selves, outside the synodical supply; but it is an intolerable situa-
tion when they: must find 50 or 60 per cent of the demand, and
the number runs up to 500 or more.

It must be said in this connection that the summer schools
of the teachers’ colleges assist a certain number of Lutheran public
school teachers, as well as other emergency help, to serve our
schools: The number is not known to us.

‘ Suggested Solutions

Since only about 32 per cent of our children of school age
attend the schools, and Synod has resolved to aim for a 50-per-cent
enrollment goal by 1972; and since this calls for hundreds of schools
more than we now have, we cannot think of halting (if that were
possible) the present normal expansion until we have caught up

‘SEMINARIES AND COLLEGES 141

with teacher training, nor can we possibly discourage the estab-

jighment of more schools. The solution. lies in an immediate,
valiant action of Synod to train far more teachers. We should
rejoice and thank our Lord that He is giving us such a harvest in
the schools and should pray for more.

Your Board for Parish Education submits the following
remedial: measures for consideration:

1. Since the ratio of men teachers to women teachers is now
almost 50-50, with men still in a slight majority; since the annual
demand for new teachers is not caused by the long-serving installed
men teachers, but by the large element of women and other tem-

rary teachers; and since the long-range solution of the present
intolerable situation is more regular men teachers, because of their
longer service, we recommend an immediate effort to increase the
ratio of men to women at least to 60-40, to set as a goal 150 to
175 men graduates a year, and to re-educate our congregations
to call and absorb them. —

2. Meanwhile, since the annual turnover among women teachers
is so great, we recommend a higher production of women teachers
than the 375 a year anticipated by the teacher-training institutions,
believing that the demand for new teachers of all types will reach

1,000 or more a year in two or three years. Synod has the policy —

of training its pastors and teachers in its own professional. schools.
Today Synod is supplying only 40 per cent of the total demand for
teachers. ;

3. Since present dormitory space and teaching staffs at our
teacher-training institutions are not sufficient to attain a goal of
150 to 175 men graduates a year, and five or six times as many
women teachers with two to four years of training, we urge that
Synod provide the necessary increased facilities at those institutions.

4. Since an excessive teacher demand is upon us now and is
increasing from year to year, and since it may be impossible for
Synod to meet the. demand even with increased facilities at the
present teacher-training institutions, we recommend the following
additional measures for consideration:

a. The gradual elimination of the high school department at
Seward, so that the institution could be devoted entirely to college
students, and necessary arrangements made whereby a high school
be maintained jointly by the District and Synod.

b. The earliest possible introduction of a teacher-training |

course at Bronxville.

c. Increased enrollment of prospective teacher students at all
our preparatory colleges.

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