The evening Argus. [volume] (Rock Island, Ill.) 1861-1871, 1865-11-25
State Diplomas to Teach
erS.
A CIRCULAR FROM THE EDUCA-
TIONAL BUREAU OF ILLINOIS.
An Examination to Take Place at
Bloomington, Dec. 10.
OFFICE OF PUBLIC INSTRUCTION
SPRINGFIELD, Nov, 1865

| emit of public instruction is authorized to
! grant state certificates to such teachers as
| may be found worthy to receive them, which
shall be of perpetual validity in every coun.
| ty and school district In the state. But
state certificates shall only be granted upon
public competitive examination, of which
| due notice shall be given, IN such branches,
and upon such terms, and by such exami-
| ners, as the state superintendent and the
principal of the normal university may pre-
! SCRIBE"
In conformity with the above provision of
law, there will be public examination, for
| state certificates, at the normal university
building, near the city of Bloomiu gton, com
mencing on Tuesday, Dec. 10, 1865, at 10
o'clock A. NJ, and continuing two days, or
| longer, if necessary.
The use of one or more rooms in the uni
ersity building has been kindly rendered for
the purpose, by Mr.. Edwards, the principal
of the university, who, with some Of his as.
sociates of the faculty of instruction, and
such other eminent practical educators as
may be appointed, will conduct the exa,uina-
| tions.
| The point chosen is as central and acces-
sibe as any other in the state, and the time
seems as appropriate as any other that could
| be selected. being at the close of the first
term of the university, when the examine
|
| in progress, and when the state board of edu-
cation will be in semi annual session.
All teachers proposing to attend the exam
ination are requested to apprise me of the
| fact as soon as possible, the proper ar
rangement of sections and other details of
| of the examination cannot be perfected with
out knowing, as nearly as practica BILE, how
| many expect TO be present.
Applicants for the state diploma will be
/ Il n
| tions
l. To present satisfactory evidence of good
| moral character.
>. To have taught with decided success
not less than three years, at least of
| which shall be in this state.
3. 10 pass thorough and critical examin-
alton in orthography, penmanship, reading,
mental and written arithmetic, English
grammar, modern geography, history of the
United States, algebra, the elements OF plain
geometry, and the theory and art of educa-
| ton.
In addition to the foregoing subjects, a clear
and scholarly mastery of which will be lndis-
pensable. applicants will also be expected to
| evince some know ledge of the natural scien-
ces, especially OF botany, physi llogy, zoolO-
~, etc., as these are essential t, success in
the more recent and improved methods of
primary instruction. Acquaintance with the
school laws OF Illinois, or so much at least
as relates to the legal rights and duties of
teachers, will also be expected.
The examination will DO conducted by
both the written and oral methods. Written
answers will be required to printed questions,
a specified time being allowed to each sub
ject; while the applicants practical teach
ing power knowledge OF the theory and me-
thods of instru ction. &c, will be elected by
oral questions and answers, with demOnstrs-
lions and illustrations upon the blackboard.
All regular graduates of our state normal
university, who have taught successfully for
three years, lone year in Illinois, will be
entitled to the state diploma without further
examination and the same privilege will he
extended 10 such graduates OF other normal
schools land to such only) as have passed
through an equally extended course OF study.
1t Is believed that the law, as it now
stands, throws all necessary safeguards
around the issue of state scholarships, TO pre-
vent their bestowRl, and TO insure the utmost
respect and confidence of teachers and of the
educational public Us to the manner In which
thew will hereafter be awarded. There can
be no private examination for state certif-
Gates, much less can the distinction be con-
ferred upon any one without an examination
at all. Entire publicity must characterize
tho whole proceeding. The judgment and
official and professional! reputation of the
heads of the normal university and state
school department are pledged for the faith
full and impartial execution of the important
trusts committed TO them by the legislature,
in the 50th section of the act. State diplom-
as can be granted in no other manner than
that therein prescribed, without q violation
of the letter and spirit of the law. The
principal of the university and the under
signed have carefully considered the nature
of the work assigned them, and are in entire
agreement so the best means of securing
the desired result. We regard the present
law regulating the issue of state scholarships
as emlnently judcious, and justly protective
of the rights and interests of professional
teachers, and it shall be our vigilant care
that those interests do not suffer at our
hands. We are determined that the certif
: cate shall mean something-that it shall be
desirable badge of honorable distinction
that the holders shall constitute an elect cir
Gle of superior teachers, known and read of
men" as excelling both in character and at
tainments. We propose that those only
shall be accounted worthy of the diplomas,
whose reputation and ability are such as to
confer honor upon it.
In the light of these views, it is presumed
that any teacher who reads this circular will
be aGle to perceive whether or not he ought
to apply for the certificate. While ell those
who deservedly stand in the fore front of the
profession, in point of successful experience,
scholarship, general culture and high personal
character. are cordially invited to attend the
appointed examination, it is due TO truth to
say that it will be useless for any others to
do so and il is hoped that this point may be
SO clearly understood that all such ss are
manifestly not included in this Invitation,