Western Reserve chronicle. [volume] (Warren, Ohio) 1855-1921, 1869-12-01
EXAMINATIONS.

EDITOR CHRoSICLE:-It has been our
fortunate lot to ave the reading OF two
articles-"Letter from Mehitable Ann
and "SchOOl Examinations,'' recently
published in the CHRONICLE. In this
part OF the county the former has been
complimented TO a great rate. Some
have clipped it out and sent it to distant
friends, others, 1 doubt not, have packed
it away thai it may be kept choice for
coming generations.
We cannot see the force of the argu-
ment. 1t may be to show that the pres
ent school examinations are not Just, and
it may be TO show the system wrong.
The frat argument brought forward is
the fact that she is seventeen" implied
" sayingi it is none of your business, Mr..
School Examiner, if 1 am past sweet
sixteen" only so 1 answer the questions
in geography, arithmetic, &c.
Secondly, she speaks of the rub" the
friction and the fire it would create.
Now it seems TO US, that If it were so,
that the amount Of friction, the little rub
created, is sufficient 10 fire perfect ma
chInery, ii ought to be utilized so as to
warm the feet. Thus doing away with
the trouble Mehit&ble had at Warren.
Thus the argument goes on. To any
who may desire to follow this argument
through we would say it may be found
i'll the CHRONICLE of Nov. 3.
In a later number II. S. said she
wished to state a few facts with reference
TO examinations - well he did. We see
three, as follows: First, the object OF eI-
aminations is to determine who are cRpa-
bic to teach. Second, the branches to be
taught are Arithmetic, Grammar, Geog-
raphy, Orthogrzphy, Reading and
Writing. The third should be noticed.
II. s. considers it a 'bore'' to be exam
ined in Theory and Practice. We notice
another sentence which H.. S. may class
as one of the facts. This is, 1--WE are told
the first thing latter the fifty-three cents
is collected) that only certificate enough
Will be granted 70 supply the schools
with teachers" If this is really a fact it
is not generally known. We are ac-
quainted with some who actually have
the audacity to disbelieye this to be a
fact.
We were at Warren the same day that
Mehitable Ann was tried in the jury
room. 1t was a very bad day. We came
from one of the farthest townships OF
the county and had a tedious time on ac-
count of the weather. As TO the ques-
tons Of the examination we never saw
questions moro to the point; and we
have seen many sets OF questions in this
and other counties. Now to the real
question. Are our school examinations
conducted as they should be? If they
are not, where is the fault? Are
present examiners unfit for the position
they occupy? We do not think so. But
suppose it were so, what then? We
would say to every teacher Of Trumbull
County, use your influence with the
proper authority to have worthy men
put in their places at the earliest oppor-
tunity. II the trouble is not in the ex-
aminers, but in the established system,
then call on all the teachers Of the land to
assist in reforming it. However do not
reject this system till you can show at
least 8 plan for a better one. We believe
in progression. Ifany one in Old Trum-
bull can suggest the best improvement
let him speak. NORTH TIER.
Nov. q. 1858.