Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1878-01-28
Proposed school Legislation.


1t is proposed to establish a State board of ex-
aminers for teachers of the public schools.
Why?
l. Because the peoples money is wasted by
unqualified teachers.
2. Because the time of the children is lost by
means of unqualified teachers
3. Because the mental growth of the children
is hindered by unqualified teachers.
4. Because children are made to bate instead
of to love knowledge, by unqualified teachers.
D. Does not the examination by the town com
mtces SIT out the unqualified teachers
1t does not.
/. Because in very many towns the exanna-
ton is a nominal one.
2. Because agents hire teachers and press them
upon the committee who know that in rejecting
them they bring war upon themselves, and kindle
war in the district.
g. Because the standard required by very many
committees Is So low as 10 admit persons utteIl y
unfit to teach.
Because there is no examination in meth
DDS of teaching aud management, which are as
important as examination in subjects to be taught.
D. Because many committees are, they
freely admit, not qualified to examine.
Advantages of the proposed plan.
|. 1t will subject all candidates to a fair test of
knowledge of subjects and methods.
2. 1t viii aid the schools directly by giving
them better prepared teachers
3. Ii will aid the schools indirectly, but great
ly, by requiring the public schools to teach more
thoroughly and systematically, in order that those
taught il them may be able to pass the eNamina-
ton for teachers places.
Who VIII gain?
l. The pupils, in knowledge, in happiness
while ia school
?. The people by getting better education for
then children for the same money.
3. The competent teachers, by being protected
irom the competition of the unqualified
1. The teachers, by having certificate which
viii be recognized III all parts of their own State,
aud in every State in the union.
Who will lose
The unqualified teachers.
Objections.
at takes away power from the towns" Not at
all The law for, and power of the school com
mttees and supervisors viii be just as they ate
now.
,. at will cost the teachers 50 much" Not at
all only one dollar for certificate, good in all
parts OF the state and every State in the union.
3. alt will cost the STATE so much" Not a
dollar. The expense will all be met by the fee
OF one dollar for each certificate granted
I. at will take 50 much time and travel of the
teachers. No. SO many places will be appoint
ed IN each county for examining, that the distance
viii not be great for any teacher, and no teacher
will need to spend more than one day Tor the ex-
animation.
}. "Bat it will be such a plague to be exam
ned every year" Then let tue first class ceiti-
icaie, be good for three wears; The second class
for t"o wears, and the third class Tor one year
g. But not enough qualified teachers can be
found Tie reason that not enough can be
found i because the schools have not demanded
any qualification. Let an examination be estab-
hshed demanding some qualification and attain
meut- and the demand will be met. But the test
for thId class certificates must be put low enough
10 as to secure enough teachers for the schools.
The next year this test may be raised one quarter
and the teachers will be ready.
Examples.
Thuty-two states, all the territories, all the
provinces OF the Dominion, have some examining
boarG, like that asked for.
Tue five states which do not have il are labor
ing Tor It's establishment. The American Institute
II Instruction, with a membership OF 200 from
every state Ia New England, at It's last annual
meeting IN July, unanimously demanded the es-
adjustment Of the system Maine and Massachu-
-et, AT their State associations recently held, ask
1t by unanimous vote.