, 1862-08-13
EDUCATIONAL MATTERS,
Report of the Third Animal Evzr.g,
nation

Especial Correspondence Chicago Tribunal
Agreeable to the appointment Of the super
1nterdent Of public instruction, under the
anendatcry act Of 1861, the following gen
t'enen convened at Springfield. August, 1862,
to conduct the examination of candidates for
State teachers diplomas, viz:
Wm. II. Baker, A. NJ, Of Quincy;
Jeremiah D. Low, A. NJ, Of Springfield;
Alex. n. Cow, A. ", of Dixon;
James H. Blodgett, A H., Of Amboy,
The session Was opened at the high school
building at o'clock. Fifteen candidates pre-
sented Themselves, Of whom two withdrew
upon being fully informed of the plan and
scope Of the examination and time 1t vouId
occupy. The general plan WAS the game fol-
ioWed IN previous examinations, which nav
be briefly reeapitu1ated. Each candidate drew
anuulber upon card, which number he placed
upon all papers containing his answers in tho
written work, and BY which number on1y he
was known to the Board till the compilation
Of the written examination, when, opening
sealed envelope prepared by each with his
number upon the outside and his name en-
closed, the Board ascertaIncd names cores
pendent to the numbers against which record
Of scholarship had been kept. After the oral
examination, the marking was compared. and
the recommendation Ct tie Board nude ID ac-
sofoance can with the result. Wednesday (August
% Has occupied By written examination in
geoSTaphy, written arithmetic, history Of the
United Statea, photography, algebra and ~
omstrY, each one hour; Thurstay august II.
Written examinations in mental arithmetic and
grammar each occupied an hour; oral exa.1i-
TyfFr
each an hour, and In theorg and praciice two
hours. ~
The superintendent Of public ius.ructlon
addressed the class a. the close of the exa: III
alton, briefly reviewing the general situation
Of teaching hitherto; the necessity Of eyan
the best teachers securing separate certi,eatas
Tor every county In which they might wish to
teach, and OF securing new ones after tYo
years had elapsed, and the eifurts Of thu last
hFe yesrs to secure some professional legal
rec1en1taon. 60 that whatever professional
skill or knowledge one had gained should not
be counted IS lost Oh crossing 3 county line
or after brief period; which effort had &C.
cured the passage of an act BY the legislature
authorizing the issue Of perpetual State Ger.
lidestes to those found worthy on due exam
ihallon. While Tegrettfcg that some Who had
been loud In expressing q desire for such pro.
feEsional recognition were apparently uninter-
e6ted; now that On opportunity vas uiyen he
was gTatlfed by the interest shown bY others
and at the prospective character and standing
ot profession made up OF such as had cone
iorsard at this and previous examinations. A
true professional spirit wsuld suggest higher
mGt:Fes than the exemption from 13cal exailiu-
alton which teachers in perm Anent situations
under chartered systems had alread1 reached.
He urged them to labor for the good Of their
casling, and the elevation Of those among
whom they taught
Mr. Gov spoke Of the use OF professional.
Journals, and made some reference to our na-
t1cn1l dangers, which called forth the enthu-
siastic and unanimous expression OF devotion
to our cenatrY's flag.
The class we're dismissed and the Board Dro-
ceeded to cum up their labors, and found three
lad1es and ten gentlemen to have passed salts
factory examination. One had given M an
6Wcrs in Geometry, which had been announced
eHlorg the branches for examination.
The superintendent Of public instruction
had announced that graduates OF duly organ
jed State Normal Schools, WHO satisfied the
Board es to moral standing and SUCCESS for re-
CURED time, would not be called upoi, to pass
examination. Ender this provision the names
Of three Indies and two geHtlsmen wera pre-
sented, and their credentials found sufficient
The examination WIS highly satisfactory.
The total number Of questions Submitted was
less than heretofore, through the number
nsGd scarcely differed from those actually
ussd on previous occasions. No other calls
upon time OF examiners or examined inter-
te1ed es heretofore, and 70 night session was
1onLu needtul after laborious day. The
averages in cyeTy instance, with the excep-
tion already alludea to, we're higher thaa tie
stsndald adopted for acceptance at previous
examinations. Two individuals who had failed
nelere Were present to try again, and felt well
one expected to go at once to the armed de-
ttrEc OF his country. a moet gratifying Incl.
dent in its personal professional rei3tions
vas the presence of candidate who is O gra-
enate IT leading State normal school, aud
WHO came With the highest possible
Tde offers Of different Situations
Of the best rank, from parties having direct
6poWledge OF the rerson's success and attain
ments. This Individual had 10 occasion for q
diploma as means OF securing position, and
needed no examination to satisfy the board Of
aright to the same, but preferred to be exam
ired to test present familiarity with required
branches, and for the professional advantages
OF attending tie meeting. Such persons con-
fer honor and dignity upon profession whose
Gip1omas they carry, rather than .receivc.bene-
u from the possession of the parchment.
How much more CRAFTY ting this reliance upon
present worth, using certificates OF Others only
as introductions to favorable consideration,
than the reliance upon the numerously signed
testimonials, on Which some seeking positions
in: life base their claims
The board find no reason to distrust the ID.
tereEt Of teachers rom the small number
present Many others had promised to st.
tend, several Of whom failetf to come, posi-
" bly,, for sufficient reasons, but the board are
, apprise that in response to the call Of the
present week by the, government, ut least
some OF these hare dropped the common war
fare against Ignorance and seized the rifle to
defend the national life. The patriotism of
such absehtees only adds to the guarantees Of
tie future character and standing Of the p1o-
fees1on. JAMES H.. BLoDaETT,
secfy Board Of Examiners,
[P. s.-Having published the names Of sue
ceasfal candidates already we omit them here.]