The news and herald. (Winnsboro, S.C.) 1877-1900, 1878-01-08
The Public School Examinations.

public school systom in Fairfield, by
the written examination, on Friday
and Saturday, of applicants for
toacher's certificates, Previous to
this year, under tho slipshod mothod
that characterized all proceedings
under the school law, certificates
had boon granted very loosely, and
complaints were rife that many per-
sons had been permitted to teach
who were incompetent. State Su-
perintondent Thompson, on taking
charge Of his office, determined
first to SOC that teachers would be
paid, and secondly that none but
competent persons should teach.
lie attained his first object through
the ratification of the school amend.
ment, and he has endeavored to SO
cure the othor by issuing poremp-
tory orders to the County Boards
of Examiners to obey the strict
letter of the law. The provision of
the law is:
''It shall be the duty Of
tho County Board of Examiners to
enanaine oN candidates for the pro-
fession Of teacher, and to give to each
person found qualified q certificate
setting forth the branches of teach
lng-such eraneiasution to be re-
'aeaoed every gear" (Revised Stat
utes, page 247, Section 13)
It will be seen that this requires
two things-an examination, and O.
renewal of the examination every
year. No provision is made for the
renewal Of certificates nor for &C
cepting any diploma or any certif-
cato from any other institution or
board. In addition to this Super
intendcnt Thompson issued the
following instructions
Tho law requires that applicants
for the position of teacher should be
examined as to their qualifications.
These examinations should be thor
ough, and L would advise that thew
be conducted in writing. The
Boards of Examiners are urged to
grant no certificates except to per-
sons who, upon careful examination,
may show proficiency in the branch
es of learning in which they are to
give instruction.
Very respectfully,
HUGH S. THOMPSON.
In accordance with the law and
the instructions of the State Super
intendent, the County Board of
Fairfield gave due notice of the ex~
animation.
On Friday the Board proceeded
to the Mission School-house, and
there examined number of color
ed applicants. AS most of these
had been attending school under
Mr.. Richardson, the examination
was conducted by Messrs. Robert
son and Davis. As the method of
examination is new to many here,
though practised in almost all high.
er institutions nowadays, and by the
examining boards of other States,
1T will be explained. The applicants
were seated at their desks, each with
pen or pencil and paper. The
questions on grammar were
first written on tho blackboard,
wioi!out previous intimation of th cir
nature, and each applicant was re-
q'ired to- write out the answers, fold
his paper, sign his name, and hand it
IN for inspection and marking. A
fairer method than the writton OK
animation cannot be devised. Every
applicant answers the same aues.
tion. He Or she is soatod quietly at
a desk, with no one to interrupt, and
with an abundance of time to COL
lect scattered ideas or to recover
from nervousness or timidity. There
Is no chance for favoritism. The
questions are written and the an.