Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1882-04-28
EXAMINATIONS

" rItten examinations as a test n
| the qualifications of teachers, and ~
means of estimating and recording
the advancement made by pupils
have been in general use nearly a
quarter Of century. During all
tins time doubts have been enter
tanned by some as to the advisabilitv
OF their use for this purpose and
fears of their ultimate effect upon
those of whom they ale REQUIRED
This class point out two serious OBJ
Jectlons: first, the learner comes TO
study altogether for examination.
and thus loses sight of the true OBJ
Jects Of study; second, great
amount of drudgery is added to the
teachers work. There is, unques-
tlonably, some force in these objec-
tons But there would be more
satisfaction IN dwelling upon them
# those who urge them would sug-
gest some adequate substitute for
the examination 1t serves a pur-
pose which cannot be ignored III any
good school, nor in the determination
Of fitness to teach. Many close
observers of political affairs believe
It's use can be extended with profit
much beyond schools and school
interests. But possibly a close
scrutiny of the objections stated
may deprive them of some of their
weight Is there not something Of d |
fallaey in the statement that the |
learner who studies to prepare for
an examination misses the real
object Of his work A carefully |
conducted examination can in every |
case be relied on to show whether
the learner has mastered the subject.
If the test discloses the fact that he
mas done this, is not the result to
him just as valuable as if he had
been actuated by emulation in his
recitations, love of appreciation, or
any other Of the many different
motives that incitc to effort. If it
is said in reply to this, that examin-
ations do not usually furnish test
like this, that they simply indicate
the amount Of examining done, then
1t IS at once apparent that the fault
lies not with the examination, but
with those who cannot or do not
make a proper use Of it. 1t is no
valid argument against method
that IFS abuse is sometimes attended
with bad results.
In reply to the second objection, it
ought to be said that the teachers
who experience its fullest force are
but seldom heard advancing it.
Knowing the object sought, aud
destitute Of other means for securing
it, they cheerfully perform the labor
it imposes rs a part of their regular
duties. Certainly this objection, if
supported by anyone should be by
the teachers
Undoubtedly the criticisms now
and then made spring from the best
of motives. Progress is to be Sc
cured only by closely testing present
methods to discover their defects
and to supplant them by better
ones if such are to be found. But
while few teachers are impressed
with the belief that the benefits Of
the system of written examinations
are outweighed by its evils, it is a
significant fact that the mass Of those
having large experience are disposed
to extend rather than restrict its use.
Within the past few years. the at
tempt to introduce more system
into ungrasled schools-a scheme
which has the support Of the best
teachers, not only of Wisconsin, but
Of several other states-has greatly
extended the use of written exam
ination By Introducing it into schools
where it has hitherto been unknown.