QUESTIONNAIRE STUDY OF CHEMISTRY FINANCES IN SOUTH DAKOTA RALPHE. DUNBAR AND J. ROBLEY LANE,DAKOTA WESLEYAN UNIVERSITY. MITCABLL. Sourn DAKOTA
A wide variety of practices i n regard to the collection of chemistry labwatory and breakage fees i s revealed from information collected by guestionnaira from representative high schools of South Dakota. Schools with limited funds frequently charge a small laboratory fee. A far greater number charge their students for articles they break i n the laboratory. I n far too many cases the money collected i n either case i s not expended for the purpose for which it i s collected. More care should be exercised i n the collection and judicious expenditure of such fees. Chemistry instructors generally s h o d be given more freedom i n the selection of laboratory chenzicals and equipment.
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A questionnaire study of chemistry laboratory finances (I) in the high schools of South Dakota was made with the hope of discovering prevailing practices in regard to the payment and collection of student laboratory and breakage fees in chemistry. Since it is often financial considerations that keep chemistry out of many high schools, i t was hoped that by studying present conditions, and possibly suggesting a feasible solution, more schools might be encouraged to introduce chemistry into their curriculums. Jensen (2) in the report of his science survey of South Dakota, of 1924-26, gives some interesting data concerning the value of chemistry equipment which teachers have available for the teaching of chemistry in South Dakota. The average value of the equipment for chemistry is $387 based on 46 schools. The median or measure of central tendency for chemistry is $355. That is, 50 per cent of all the cases fall above and 50 per cent below this value. The 6rst quartile for chemistry is $222. This means that 25 per cent of the cases fall below the value given and 75 per cent above. The thud quartile for chemistry is $462. That is, 75 per cent of the schools offering chemistry have equipment valued a t less than $462 and only 25 per cent of the schools have equipment valued at more than W62. The range shows valuations as low as $50 and as high as $1600. However, he gives no information regarding the collection and utilization of either student laboratory or breakage fees. It is interesting to note that the state laws contain no statute either requiring or prohibiting the payment or collection of such laboratory or breakage fees. The matter is left entirely in the hands of the local chemistry teacher for administration. This study concerns the frequency and advisability of using such sources of income to supplement the regular appropriations from the boards of education to finance high-school chemistry courses. Questionnaires were mailed to 75 South Dakota high schools. Thirtysix (48%) replied, and of these eleven did not offer chemistry. The results in tabular form follow: 565
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No. of questionnaires mailed.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ..75 No. of questionnaires returned.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .36 No. of schools offering chemistry. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .25, representing 4475 students
Of these 25 schools, 23 wefe regular four-year high schools, and 2 were three-year high schools. The range in enrolment of the 25 schools offering chemistry was 85 to 1300, with an average of 150. The total enrolment in chemistry was 812 (18%) with a class range of 12 to 85, with a mean enrolment of 28 students. The following statistics resulted from the question: "Do you charge a laboratory fee?" No laboratory fee charged.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ..16 . Laborstoryfeecharged . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
The nine schools charging a laboratory fee supplied the following information: l'sarlv Amount of Loboralory PIE
Time Paid
Dvrolion
Use
$2.00 charged by 4 At beginning 7 Whole year 7 In chemistry department 6 3 1.50 charged by 1 By semesters 2 Into general fund 1.00 charged by 3 At end 2 0.50 charged by 1
Concerning breakage fees: Of the 25 schools the requirements were as follows: Variable individual payment for individual breakage. . . . . . . . . . 5 No breakage fee ........................................ 10 Fixed breakage fee in addition to laboratory fee. . . . . . . . . . . . . . I 0
Those who charged a breakage fee report as follows: Amount of Brcokoge Pee
Time and Durolion
Use
M.lclh0d of Chcrking
$0.50 to $2.50 Beginning of year 5 General fund 5 Ordinary check system 13 1 Average $1.50 Beginning of semester 3 For new equip- Honor system 1 End of year 4 ment in the Card system End of semester 3 dept. 10
I n one school the board of education had complete charge and responsibility for the buying of all chemistry equipment: in eight the superintendent had charge of this work: in twelve the chemistry instructor had charge of this purchasing: and in four some combination of the above was used. I n twenty instances the board of education appropriated money for chemistry supplies in addition to student fees. I n one case it did not. I n other cases the custom varied from year to year. These appropriations varied from $25 to $500, and in some cases the amount needed was provided. Twenty-one instructors who answered were satisfied with their present system of handling fees and supplies. Two were not. Several expressed
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the idea that chemistry laboratories are generally too small and crowded. Another disapproved of all chemistry fees, saying that they kept students out of the course. Instead of showing, as had been hoped, a general uniformity in handling fees and breakage in high-school chemistry, this study shows rather a lack of system. It is plainly evident that this matter constitutes a real problem. Prevailing tendencies seem to favor the collection of breakage, by an advance deposit, for all apparatus needlessly broken by students. An additional laboratory fee is frequently charged, where other sources of income are limited, to provide necessary chemicals and equipment. Such a policy, wisely and honestly administered, should not discourage many students from taking chemistry but rather helps them to appreciate the real value of the training and instruction provided. Literature Cited Cf. PAYNEand S ~ L E Y"Chemistry , Laboratory Fees," J. CHEM.EDUC., 8, (Jan., 1931). JENSEN, "Hizh-%hod Science Survey of South Dakota," ihid., 4, 897404 1927).
