Dodgeville chronicle. [volume] (Dodgeville, Wis.) 1862-current, 1870-12-16

ports from teachers at the end OF eacn
term of school only, instead OF monthly as
formerly. This have concluded answers
the purpose desired, with far less labor to
both teachers and superintendent. The
system of term or monthly reports, not
only furnishes much valuable information
not otherwise easily obtained in relation
to the condition of the schools, but also
has salutarY effect in promoting thor
oughness and system in teaching and gov
crnment Having been thoroughly tested
throughout the State and uniformly con
ceded to be valuable auxiliary to our
work, securing cooperation between teach
erS and superintendent, 1t should DC pro-
vided for and regulated by law.
have also inserted in Teacher Certill-
Gates note requiring them to report oy
mail to the county superintendent at tue
beginning of each term Of school, the town
and number of the district in which they
are engaged to teach, the time of colnmeIi-
cling, and The length of term. by TINS
means know the teacher employed and
for what length of time in every district
in the county This knowledge ! have al
ways found to be of great advantage III ar
ranging my work aud maintaining a SUI
pervision of the schools. 1t is only
through the agency Of these frequent re-
ports, personal visits, extensive cores
pondence, and by the use of every other
means within his reach, that the snperln-
tendent can reasonably expect to perform
the very difficult bat most important duty
of maintaining constant supervision OF
the schools.
In our own county as well as throughout
the State there seems TO be tendency to
push forward into the profession very
young. Teachers, generally young girls,
before they are of sufficient age and dis
erection to be in;rustcd with the charge of
a school and having out little understand
ing of the responsibilities they so willing
~ assume. Simply having acquired, and
often in very superficial manner, the
least amour. of knowledge of the different
branches, that can be accepted for third
Grade Ger ts::sscate, is not enough 10 consti-
tute Successful teacher. 1t also requires
some maturity of thought ann judgment,
and knowledge of the world Although
possessed Of the requisite qualifications in
regard to education, | have generally re-
fused to license teachers under sixteen
! years of age, and in my opinion there are
but few even Of that age, who should be
permitted to undertake the government
and management Of a school. have also
frequently observed that those who COM
mence very Young. having attained to the
very highest point CT their ambition in
this direction, cease their effor is for i'm
provement, aud fail to become so well
qualified and useful as they would have
been, had they been kept on longer pro-
baton.
Complaints are sometimes made that
our examinations are too rigid, excluding
frequently some who in the estimation of
friends are really qualified; and on the
other hand complaints are sometimes made
that our examinations are too easy ena-
uling others to obtain certificates, who. in
the opinion of not over partial friends are
not qualified. Assuming that the true
course lies between these extremes, the
plan pursued is probably as near right
AS possible under the circumstances. 1t
has frequently been observed, and 1t is
probably trur, that our examinations have
somewhat broader range and occupy
more time than those of some other coun-
ties. Simply answering snch questions as
.'Wh hat is a noun Z" "Wha is verb p
"What is Geography p &c, in school
book phrascology, does not, to any great
extent. test the applicants practical knowl-
edge of the subject. Avoiding such as
might be considered puzz!ing or ambigu-
Gus, endeavor to submit surh questions,
The answers to which require thu exercise
of thought and judgment. Our examina-
tions are conducted chiefly in writing. In
each branch the applicant is furD iseed
with a paper containing 10 printed ques-
tons. The answers are to be written out
in full, folded, numbered, and cturncd for
examination. The papers are carefully
examined and each answer marked accOr-
ding IN its value, and no candidate is re-
jected without a careful re-eXamination of
his papers The papers are also preserved
for-one year at least, and can be referred
to in case Of mistakes or dissatisfaction
To stranger these answers must be gen
orally the absolute test of qualifications !;
hut from a personal acquaintance, previous
examinations, success in teaching, the SUI
perjntendet may var' these results accOr
| ding TO circumstances. Sometimes the
answers may he technically wrong and
vet show fair knowledge Of the subject
| Or the answer may be correct and the
spelling and composition so poor as not to
be accepted Some are embarrassed and
appear to great disadvantage. Others
have previously shown superior skill in
,caching and yet fail in the examination.
/ All these things should be taken into con-
sidcration in estimating the qualifications
| Of those who are to have the charge Of our
schools
| Vocal music has been introduced into
many of our schools, especially those
| taught by females, and uniformly with
good ,esults Not that the science of mu
sic is taught. but the schools are opened
and closed with singing some familiar
piece in winch it is evidently the delight
of the whole school to Join /; and frequent
| ly in the midst of a session, when the
scholars have grown dull and restless, and
study irksome, the whole school is reused
to life and energy by singing lively
piece Of music: and if it has an accompa-
niment of physical exercises or series of
e,olutions of body and limbs, so much
the more efftclual and attractive. II is
an excellent means of promoting good feel
ing and good order, and should be encour-
aged These innovations, as they are
sometimes styled, upon the old methods
and customs. do not, however, meet with
any very cordial endorsement from dis
trict officers and parents, but are simply
tolerated as harmless amusemen is requlr
ing but little time.
.lthough the law desig mates four years