The northern galaxy. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1844-1848, 1846-04-07
snstain. a good moral character.

/ named and the lowest grade oil county Get
| tificate, will be perceived TO consist in thor
ougIness Disqualification las opposed TO mere
competency demanded in tbs latter case,
together with lin ordinary cases) some exPe-
rience in teaching. and thatreputably. Dr. II
| the County Superintendent cannot obtain
| evidence in regard TO the candidates reputa-
| lion on this score, he should at least saushy
| himself fully, from examination, that he pos
sesses good degree of ''aptness 10 teach,
and of fitness TO govern and manage school'
| In examining candidates in regard 10 then
capacity for the instruction and management
Of schools, il would be somc~ hat difficult 10
| point out any precise mode OF procedure, al
though il is clearly an important part Of the
business OF an examination. Under this head
YOU need to ascertain thai the candidates
general views in regard TO the subject Of edu-
cation are substantially corTect.-ihat this
proposed mode of managing is based upon
sound views that he possesses tolerable
| facility for communicating his ideas and I'M
] parting knowledge, and that the proper mo-
lives TO study and obedience which should
be set before the pupil are sufficiently well
understood. Such points may IN some
instances be ascertained by an inquiry, the
reply to which should directly state The gen
eraI prir cipIe. Sometimes it may be proper
| 10 suppose a case in which the general prin-
ciple is involved, and enquire the mode OF
proceeding 10 such case. In the main, how
ever, you could doubtless draw up Coz your
selves plan of inquiry under which you
would be able TO form a more satisfactory
opinion upon these points. than you probably
could under any method laid down by another
person. Meanwhile permit me TO Say that
your proceeding in relation TO this matter
might conveniently and profitably be made
one Of instruction, as well as Of examination.
1t might be thought by some better that the
license should be of a general . character
and that, at least, no distinction be made by
way OF specifying dillerent grades ofqualfca-
| ton in each class Of certificates. But in view
| of the fact that we lack definite knowledge
of The capabilities OF the State TO furnish well
qualified teachers and should OF course be
compelled, as a mater of prudence, TO place
any fixed standard SO low that il would not
meet The wants of rery many of our sci OILS
in view of The inducements which such dis
tinction would hold out 10 teachers 10 aspire
to high standard of qualification, comman-
ding, as the higher grades Of certificates or
dindrily would, higher conpensatiOns and in
view too OF other advantages which cannon
now be adverted to, the plan proposed is re-
garlic as better adapted to our present con-
diiiJn.
And here il is proper 10 observe tn at
under the plan recommended, it is not ex
ed as Saving the agency of The prudential
committee in hiring) an absolute and IN
qualified license to teach in any town or
county-much less in any school in such
town or or county-for which it is NOM
maLlicense e would throw upon the
committee in addition to the simple duty
of hiring the teacher, (Which of course
devolves on them, that of deciding wheth-
err the qualifications specified in the certi-
according to the best I
judgement Of the examiners - are such as
will meet the wants O. the peculiar district
for which teacher is sought in this
way the responsibility in the case is devid-
ed, as we believe the interest of our
schools requires it should be, between the
examiners and the committee.
The indefiniteness of The law in regard |
to the number of signatures requisite on
town certificate, in case more than one
Superintendent be appointed in the town,
might render remark OH this subject ap-
propriate The only expression in the
act which seems to involve this question
at all is obviously based upon the as
that there would be but one in
each town; and, as a matter of fact, the
bill, as originally drawn up and acted on,
provided for one only. And when the
number originally provided for was ex-
tended, there was neglect to change the
phrase alluded to-'the Town Superinten-
dent-so as to conform TO this provision,
or to make any specific regulations adapt
ed to this new aspect of the case. In the
absence then fanny definite directions up
on this point, we doubt not that it would |
be proper to follow the general rule from
analogy, where more than one town Su-
perintendent has been appointed, ma
jority should concur in favor ofgranting a
certificate, and the signatures OF a major
ity be attached.
From the remarks which have been
made the proper manner of filling up the
blank certificates will be understood
of the case would admit, as the certifi-
Gates have to be recorded A sufficient
number of the blanks will soon be for
warded you to meet your own probable
wants for the spring. The same form.
however, would serve for town certifi-
Gates
The regulations here prescribed do not,
am aware, extend to all points on which
it might have seemed proper that direc-
ton should be given But on these points
your own judgment will be your guide. as
well as in filling up the details necessary
in regard to cases for which general rules
are laid down.
1t is deemed desirable that you should,
at your examinations, ask teachers to keep
an account of he attendance on their re-
spective schools, and at the close of them
to make cut the report solicited in the
Address Of last December.
am, gentlemen,
respectfully yours,
III EATON