The Bedford gazette. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1805-current, 1868-06-26


year, although eighty per cent of the
applicants were examined in two addi-
tional branches-United States History
and School Economy, and, although
the examinations. were fully as rigid
as those of last year, the average grade
is 2.29. One year ago, only one
teacher in the county came up to the
requirements of The professional GER
tificates; now eight are teaching, who
passed the requisite examination, and
obtained professional certificates, and
quite a number more are preparing to
receive the honor. Wages are advanc-
ing. The reports from few town.
ships will show this. Last year the
average wages ia Liberty were, for
Males, $29.83; Females, $26.50. This
year, average for Males, $33.6G Fe-
males, $4,000. Bedford township, av-
erage, last year, for Males, S29.03 !;
Females, $3.50. This year, the aver
age wages for Males, $3.50; Females,
31.0O southampton, average wages,
for Males, last year, $24.89; Females,
24.S5. This year, average for Males,
S2.70O; Females, $29.16. Cumberland
Valley, average wages for Males last
year, $25; Females, $21.00. This
year the average wages for Males, were
$500; Females, $35.25. The same
marked change might be shown in the
majority of the townships of the coun-
ty. In some, the average may fall be-
low that oH one or two years ago, but
this will be owing to the fact that di-
rectors adopted the wise plan in such
townships, of paying teachers accord
ing to their qualifications or grade Of
certificate. The general tendency is to
pay teachers more literally for their
services.
Little change was made in the meth
ods of instruction; two branches
reading and penmanship-were, how
ever, more efficiently taught, than last
year, and History was taught for the
| first time in thirty of our schools. Few
directors visit the schools regularly.
Several townships had district superin-
tendents who discharged their duties
well.
Out of the whole number of teachers
employed, one hundled and eighteen
had attended a Normal School, and
one hundred and fifty-siX-an increase
of twenty-five over last year-had stud
led some work on teaching. One hun
dred and thirty-siX males and fifty
eight females were employed seven
five males and two females having
made mistake in their choice of Oc-
cupation, proved total failures and
were dismissed.
Educational Workdone6ythe ,SUpermten-
dent.
Twenty-eight public and twelve
private examinations were held
Eighty-four directors and one hund
red and siXty-seven citizens were pres
ent at the public examinations. l
recall with pleasure the examinations
in Harrison, Liberty, Middle Wood
bury and South Woodbury., at each
of which the citizens manifested a
lively interest in the work and await
ed with great patience the result Of the
days labors. One hundred and sixty
three provisional and eight profession
al certificates were issued at the pub
lie and thirty-tWo provisional certifi
Gates at the private examinations
Eighteen applicants were rejected, and
six certificates from other counties
were by request from boards of direc
tors, endorsed. We found after the
public examinations were over that at
least thirty schools-must remain closed,
for we had adhered strictly to the pub
lished notice for examinations, viz {:
"that those only need apply who are
prepared to stand an examination in
History and Methods of Instruction"
We had followed the "letter" of the
law, but found it left us greatly in
want; hence, after receiving authority
from the "pOwers that be" 1--WE eXamin-
ed limited number of teachers, COM
ing up to the requirements of one year
ago. Still we found it necessary to
hold private examinations in different
parts of the County, as in several in
stances, the directors had "taken the |
bit into their own mouths" and employ
ed teachers, not examined, with the
understanding that ''if they failed
when the Supt. came round they
would receive no pay" Some did
fail. Thus it was that so many were |
examined privately. 1t was work
of necessity. "The new Supplement"
made the supply of teachers exceeding
ly short and all IdlctW means had to be
resorted to in order to fill the schools.
Not all were filled. We had thirty
three applicants less than last year.
The new law is a good one and in a
year or two more we will be ready to
meet it fully. The examinations con-
tinued until late in the fall, thus very
materially interfering with the visi-
ting gofSchools already open. Two hund-
red and four schools were visited at an
average length of 1.54. to each visit.
attended several district and two
County institutes, eleven educational
meetings and visited tWenty-fOur