The northern galaxy. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1844-1848, 1846-04-07

that Stpts. sboul appoint the same time and
alsce for attending 10 the examination oil
Candidates in their respective towns as may
be designated by yourselves for the like pur-
pose. This can easily be arranged, as your
aolice will be made public probably through
the medium of the newspapers. Under this
plan it would be desirable that you should fix
a day for examination in every town except
perhaps in some instances, some central
spot, may be designated which might accom-
MEDIATE Two or three towns. especially II their
population, number OF schools districts, and
probable number Of candidates BE small. And
when your appointments have been thus pub
ficiy made, town Supts., il they concur III
. the plan, can appoint the same time and
blace for their examinations, and have The
arrangement understood by candidates. II
any appointment be made by you fol two or
moro towns, the Supts. Of all such towns
Should. of course, be present. Ii is desirable
that all candidates for teaching the ensuing
season, should be present at such public ex-
animation so far as this object can be secured; ;
aud it would obviously be recessary TO devote
day to the business. The importance of
hll tile candidates for the sun mer schools,
might perhaps be from the 2Ch OF April 10
lilo let MAY. In those counties however in
which the number Of towns is large, it may
be advisable TO commence somewhat earlier.
Under the proposed arrangement the bHsi-
ne 8 of conducting The examination will
doubtless devolye mainly though II Feed not
schol[u. on the county Surt. But at all
events, let it be understood that each Supt.
brusen, is to express his opinion OF each case,
and share in the re possibility ofthe decision.
Each Examiner should have a list OF the
candidates, and at the close of the examination
in each particular branch of study he should
write down against each candidates
hame, his opinion of his or her qualf
cation to teach that branch. 10 case there
should be difference Of opinion between
the county and town superintendent, the
right of decision should, OF course, belong
to the one on whom devolves the respOni
b;liiY of giving the certificate; and il is proper
tina: be should exercise it, if not satisfied that
he Ind erred in his first conclusions. We
think however, that practically there will be
very little difficulty on this ground.
1t will be perceived from the remarks male,
that collective examinations are cOntcmpla-
ted. BY this mode females perhaps would
be less embarras2d and do thcmsel es better
justice. But more than this, in view of the
numbers to be examined in a single day, it
would be perhaps the only practabe mode.
You need 10 make the most Of your time,
and it is believed that you can accomplish
more by collective than by separate examin-
aiions- Some Of your questions might be
such that it would be proper TO put them 10
several individuals successfully, or even to
all. Some too might be answered by all the |
candidates consentancousIy unless :here
should be SO many that you would be unable |
TO detect a wrong answer, or 10 perceive a
failure TO answer at all. And here | would |
su ,gest 10 you the convenience Of writing |
down at your leisure series of leading ques-
ito IS on each branch Of study in which you
would be called to examine. This may en-
able you to make your examination more
systematic ald more satisfactory.
Ia regarl 10 the proper standard of quail
fcliion there are evils 10 he guarded against
on either hand. Ifset TO low we fail of Sc
curing the advancement which is expected
and which, so far as prariable, ought to he
secured. 1t should be sufficiently elevated il
possible to exclude from our schools all who
are obviously incompetent 10 teach, and es-
pecially those who would inculcate positive
error. In truth it is rare that incompetence
is so purely negative as 10 stop short Of this.
II the standard however be raised too high, a
tea h :rs, or The law be disregarded; and either
alternative is to oe deprecated and guarded
az inst. IL must then be let down sufficient
~ to afford i competent supply OF teachers
for al our schools. And this consideration
NUT be regarded as imperative, above that
oi any regard to the question whether it will
meet the public expectation, or our own ar
dent d -sires
Ii is proposed however, that different
standard be adopted in regard to qualifications
for a county and town certificate. think
il would accord wi. h the law and its purposes
that snch distinction should be mads. And
Furthermore different grades are proposed fer
each cIlss CT certificates.
In accordance with the principles laid
down would recommend that county GER
ti6cates should be given 10 all candidates
who are found iheroshly qualified 10 teach in
Spelling, Reading, Wiring, Geography,
Arithmetic, and English Gramar, provided
IN y shall have taught school at least three
M II hs. and govern school. orshall have at
tended course Of lectures Oh teaching or
en- oyed other special advantages which you
NAV de IN equivalent to this. Candidates
Should also be examined in any other branch
es which they may desire in addition TO those
allowed named such rs history, Natural and
VI Oral Philosophy, ETC., and in al cases the
sever.l branches which ths candidate is
judi ed qualified 10 teach, are to be enumera-
ted in the certificate.
We would moi, however, lie understood TO
encourage, as general practice, the introduc-
lion Ofthesa higher branche into our sehlol.
at this time. IHorcughneSS of,nstructiOa in
the more elementary branches we should re.
gard as. at present, Of higher Importance in
far tue larger share OF our schools. In some
fe. cases, however, it may he required, and
may be proper that some ofthe higher brau-
chcs should be taught.
10 entirle one TO receive a town certificate I
would propose, as the lowest grade Of quaIifi-
cation, land applicable only o extreme cases
an acquaintance with the first four branches
previously named. In some towns in the
state there may be schools feeble in the abili-
ty OF their patrons to sustain them, small in
the number of their pupil, aud they not so
lar advanced in learning as to make more ex-
tended qualifications iadeSprns iJiy neces-
sary for their profitable instruction. We
hold indeed, that those acqnsined with the
hi-h ar of !