The star of the north. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1849-1866, 1857-09-16
To Superiutendents.

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of experiment, aud errors Of administration
were naturally 10 be expected. The tct Of
1854 inasura,ed an entirely new system Of
common school operations, especially as re-.
garded the examination OF teachers. But
owing 10 the wide difference in the. relative
professional qualifications and judgmen mt Of
the first corps of Superintendenls, there were
radical differences in The respective standards
of attainment and skill 10 enlille an applicant
10 the permanent certificate. Some Super.
inlendenls, also, possessed more firmness
aud decision, while others feared 10 give Of
fence and create undue opposition by rigid
adherence 10 the instructions OF the Depart.
mert. The cause of education was much
more backward in some counties than in
others ami in some instances 1t was nnfor-
tunalely the case that first.class certificates
were granted TO incompetent teachers, from
favori,ism, or to accommodate influential di-
rectors. In addition 10 this, some Superin-
tendents received none but frst-class csrtif-
Gates, and of course could issue no others
and even the best and most cautious Super
intendents discovered, in The course OF time,
that they had made mistakes in their esti.
mates of teachers qualifications.
II results from these various causes, that a
considerable number of teachers hold the
permanent certificate whose qualifications
do not en,lle them 10 it, especially in that
essential item, The "art of teaching" In or.
der TO protect the public and vindicaie the
school system, it is obligatory upon Superin-
lendenls, under The provisions of the Ais,
section of the act of 1854, 10 vacate and an
nul all such certificates when Uncovered;
and if the holders desire TO continue in the
vocation, TO substitute Temporary certificate
of the proper grade.
To facilitate this exchange, new edition
of the permanent certificate mas been pre-
pared, considerably modified in style and ap-
pearance, and will be mailed 10 Superntend.
ents about the time this notice reaches them.
They will deliver the new style certificate,
without re-examinauon, TO ell such hold
ers of the old style as they are satisfied, from
what they know Of their qualifications, are
fairly entitled 10 it. In all other instances
they are inst rucled 10 require re.examina.
ton, and grant such certificates as the result
may justify. The safely and success of The
school system require that the standard of
qualification should be high: In all cases a
want Of TACT and skill in the Fart of teaching
will be fatal objection 10 The issuing of the
permanent certificate, no matter how great
the superiority of mere scholaIship may be.
Temporary Certyfcate.-A new edition of
the temporary certificate, slightly modified (,
will be printed and mailed at the same time,
and can be substituted for The old form as
circumstances will permit
Elementary Branehes.-There is preva.
lent disposition amongst holders Of The tenn
porary certificate TO extend their studies TO
branches no! named iu 1t, including even
modern languages and the classics, and
have them inserted by the Superintendent,
while the figures in the elementary branches
are not higher than medium; under the I'M
preston, apparently, that this addition TO
their accomplishments would look more re.
spectacle and increase their chances for
profitable employment. This impression is
erroneous, and the practice is not 10 be com.
mended, because,
1st. The great want Of the lime is prac.
lical education. H-~
I'd. The great defect in education, at the
present day, is want of ihoroughness.
Sd. Wherever else 'smatterers" may be
tolerated, they cannot be afforded in our
common schools--where, above all other
places, the instruction impaired, whether in
the elementary or higher branches, should
bear the impress of genuine merit.
4th. Such enlarged certificates, if intend
ed for private schools, are OF no official
value; and if intended for the public schools,
would fail of their object, as The higher
class of schools is not sufficiently numerous
to afford employment 10 a 1.-THE of The ap.
plicants who would thus present themselves.
And if il were Otherwise, such certificates
would carry with them their own condem.
nation, and defeat their intended purpose.
Thoroughness in the elementary branches
is of paramount importance, and 10 earnest.
ly enjoined upon Superinlendenis and Teach.
ers.
County Institutes Wherever Superintend-
enls have had no experience in conducting
Institutes, they should secure the best assist
ancs lha: THEFT influence or resources can
command. Alter the ice is once broken,
they can rely upon themselves and their prin'
cipal teachers 10 good purpose. But greaI
deal depends upon right slar; and TO ignore
or discard the assistance Of experienced in.
struc,ors would be as unphilosophical and
impoli,ic as for lbe unAedged teacher to
work bis own way in The school room, with: