The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1882-04-21
EDUCATIONAL.
D. A. MAHONEY.
EXAMINATIONS.

EXAMINATIONS.
1t is much more difficult task to
pass the examination for a certificate
in this county now than it was fifteen
or twenty years ago. At that time the
standard was lower and the number of
studies in which an applicant was ex-
amined less than now. Superinten-
dents are drawing the lines more close
ly every succeeding year. Six years
ago the teachers of this county voted
to request the Superintendent to raise
the average standing from sixty to
seventy per cent The Superinten-
dents have not in all cases been able to
maintain standard of seventy per
cent, but are getting nearer to it every
year. This is the case all through the
state, and if Kenosha county is to hold
her rank in the state the lines must be
closed up.
Our schools are better than they
were formerly, and it takes better and
more ability to teach them. The ma
jority of our teachers are fully alive to
the necessity of thorough understand
ing of the "third grade" studies, and
many of them hold a higher grade of
certificates. But some of our teachers
and many applicants for certificates
show lamentable want of knowledge
when they come to the examination.
Many-old and young-seem to think
that knowledge of the" ground rules"
Of arithmetic, and ability to read in a
very loud tone of voice, together with
a frown that would chill the marrow
in child's bones, is all that is neces-
sary in the makeup of a first-rate
teacher. We do not believe that a
teacher should necessarily be walk
ing cyclopedia, but we do believe that
he should possess a good fund OF gen.
eral knowledge. should be posted on
the current events of the day, and be
able to teach his pupils much which is
not found within the covers of school
book.
Let us see how this knowledge spans
out" when put to the test: AT the eX-
animation this spring a stanZa of
Burns poem, For a that and a. that"
was repeated for the applicants to
write, with the request that the name
of the author be written under it.
About two-thirds of the applicants
gave Burns as the author, while the
rest ranged through the whole list of
British and American authors, includ-
ing Miltin, Tennisen. Bret Heart,
LOngfellow, Whittier, Shiller, Scott,
Moor, and Pope.
The events of 1882 to March 28th
were asked for. The answers came as
follows: Shooting and death of Gar
field; death Of Henry Ward Beecher;
prize fight between Sullivan and Ryan
this last from lady teacher; forma-
tion of a Prohibition Society at Salem,
and a Beer Club at Wilmot; hanging
of Guiteau; capital punishment re-
stored in Wisconsin; Chicago fire;
financial crash of 1878.
Five American and two British au-
thors, with work of each, was asked
for, and Carlyle, Hood, Tennyson, and
Shakespeare are given as American
writer's, and Whittier, Lowell and Bry-
ant as English. Among the books
mentioned were Irving's Life of Gar
field, Shakspeare's Homer and Julia,
Mark Twain's book on Innocence.
General Blaine's book called "The
Fools Errand.'
Wisconsin was admitted into the
Union at different dates, varying from
1716 to 1878, and the name of the first
state governor is given as Dodge, Rusk,
Timme, and Fratt.
The name of the present Assembly
man from Kenosha county being asked
for, the answers come, G. q. Williams,
Sawyer, !. Y. Quarles, E. G. Timme,
D. A. Mahoney, w. s. Maxwell, Capt.
Tuttle and James Cavanagh.
More than One-third of the papers
say that Grant commanded at Gettys-
burg; and three papers say it was a
battle of the Revolutionary war.
Brandywine and Perry's victory on
lake Erie are given as battles of the
late war.
The Right of Search" was a right
to search in the North for slaves. The
notification Act of South Carolina
was several things; among others it
was an act declaring Lincolns Eman-
cipation Proclamation null and void
The south Carolina difficulty was set
tied by the election of Henry Clay to
the Presidency.
We might quote answers similar to
the above enough to fill another col
umn, but as we only wish to give sam
Piles of some Of the answers received,
and do not wish to hurt anybody's
feelings, we forbear. Some of our
teachers and most of those who wish
to become teachers, do not read
enough. They are not informed as to
what is going on around them, and as
a consequence they are not fitted to |
teach good school.
Parents often express surprise that |
their children do not pass examina-
tions, and some have been generous
enough to lay the whole blame on the
County Superintendent. 1t is often
said, Why, my girl can get certifi-
cate in Lake or McHenry counties,
Illinois, Correct. We admit it. But
the district schools. Of Illinois, taken as
a whole, are ten years behind the
schools OF Wisconsin, and the schools
of Lake county are twenty years be-
hind those of Kenosha county; and a
person who can just pass in Lake
county cannot begin to pass in Keno
sha county. 1t is all right for pupils
to attend the examinations to see how
well they can do, but it is ridiculous
to lay the blame on the Superintendent
if they do not pass. superintendent
sin in being too easy, not in being too
particular.
Instruct oA;oorc mill do xrolI ~ 20 |