Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1846-04-16
PUBLIC COMMUNICATION FROM THE
STATE SUPERINTENDENT OF COM
MON SCHOOLS


have becn prcscribed by the State Superintendent
in regard TO the examination of teachers and the
rrantinC of certificates, it is deemed not only prop
err but important that the substance of these reg
ulations should be made public BY this means
prudential committees will be able to Judge how
far those certificates express the views OF the ex-
aminers relative to the qualifications OF candidates
and how far such candidates are designed to re-
lieve committees from the responsibility Of judging
for themselves in regard to publications.
The rules then which have been prescribed for
County Superintendent, and recommended to
Town Superintendents for their adoption so far as
they may sec fit to concur in them, embrace the
following provisions:
In all cases the several branches in which the
candidate is deemed qualified to teach are to be
enumerated in the certificate. certificate OF Ii
cense is to be given by the Town Superlntendents
10 all who are found compet,nty qualified to instruct
in Spelling, Reading, Writing, Geography, Arth-
metic, and English Grammar In some rare instan
ces it may be thought advisable TO gran, cert-
cate where the candidate is not acquainted with
English Grammar, and perhaps Arithmetic. But
this is left to the discretion OF The Superntendents
A County certificate will be given to those who
are found thoroughly qualified TO teach the six bran
ches named, aud who have taught school reputably
or have had some specific training for the employ
ment of teaching.
From the statement here made it is apparent that
district committees are not, under the new school
system released from 6ll responsibility beyond that
of hiring the first licensed candidate that may APP
ply for their school, They have higher duties to
perform They have to Judge of the wants of the
school for which they are to engage q teacher, and
ipeii 10 eNaIhlhe the certincate on inc candidate
ana oeclde Whe;her 1t meets those wants. 1t is
Sulciehty OBVIOUS mat the lowest grade OF quail
ncauoh WINCH mas peon named Is altogether lIisui-
hcent TO meet the wants of by far the largest share
Of the schools in our State. Hence the mere fact
that candidate has a licence is not to be taken
ds a suIncieht evidence mat the bearer OF II pos
sesses tne qualihcat'ons you would require; lhere
are put very rev even OF our summer schools IN
winch Artnneuc, at ieast Is not required TO De
lauglt III auuluoh 10 lne Iour branches winch are
speclhed as embraced IN the lowest grade of GER
linea'es'
but ugaln IL VIII De perceived that there is di-
terence IN the degree OF qualification represented
by certificates which specify an ability to teach the
SIX branches OF study which have been enumerated.
To"nW certllcate is not only intended to be the
evidence oil more thorough acquaintance with the
branches named IN 1t, than Is required TO enttle
one 10 town certhcate, but 1T Is also designed to
oe evidence that the bearer has either been sue
cessiuy engaged IN teachlng, or has received some
sPecloi training Which may AFFORD an adequate guar
dhtee !or an ocqualtHice WIN sound principles IN
governing ana teaching
buC tnere are yet different grades OF qualification
represented even by County cerfc1teS. Candidates
are examined III such other branches as they may
wish, IN addition to those which have been speci-
lied; and those in which they are judged qualified
10 instruct are named in their certificates already
stated. In most of our schools do not, it is true
THINK 1t desirable that the higher branches of study
should, at present, be introduced. Certainly we
could not recommend 70 have classes of two or
three engaged in these higher pursuits and occu-
pylng perhaps an undue share Of the teachers time
while they might be prohtably employed in elemen-
tary studies But still in some Of the most advan-
ced schools, where instruction in the elementary
branches has been systematic and thorough itInay
be proper that some of the higher branches of sci
ence should be introduced and taught. And such
cases must be provided for.
ffom me view thus given it is clearly important
that committees should, IN all cases, examine the
certincate to ascertain whether the qualifications
Whicn 1t speciueS, are such as they would judge
teulSttt loI Tue SCHOOL tor when teacher Is to be
engaged.
put even cerohcates may not, IN all cases, fur
nsh SO luil information as committees would desire
Ihere are quallhcatlons and distinctions OF quah-
cation which the certificate does not express. On
many points involving the character and qnalltca
IONS OF candldates-ther facility tJr commitment
ting knowledge and lhe correctness OF their views
on teachlng, managing ana goVermng-we doubt
not lhat committees might IN many instances, form
more satisfactory OPINION by attending the exam
NATION themselves than they could IN any other
way we 90 not by any means thnk 1t desirable
or proper that examinations should be regarded as
puohc' IL might emoarrasS candidates, and pre-
vent mem from dong then selves justice. But
commissioning not Tor the purpose OF specu-
ialion or comment--but for the practical and useful
purpose OF forming Judgment in regard to the
quaIihcatlons Of candidates, in order TO enable |
themselves better to discharge their own high re-
sponsbliItes, will not be regarded out of their
proper place at such examinations; and they are
invited to attend.
~ lhere may be towns in the State in which the
Town Superintendents NAV not see fit to concur in
the regulations recommended by the State Super
intendent, but will prefer to form their own rules
OF proceeding In such cases we cannot, of course,
apprize those interested of the regulations which
may he adopted; but they will doubtless be made
public in the particular neighborhoods concerned.
To candidates for teaching we would saw few
words. We would by all means recommend TO
them to present themselves at the examinations an