Seattle daily post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, W.T. [Wash.]) 1881-1888, 1883-05-04
Tug EXAMINATION o. TEACHERS
For the P.sr IsrEILrsEscEa

For the Pcsr lsrELLIGEScER
The advertisements now to be found
in the several county papers announc-
ing the regular examination of teachers.
suggest the following thoughts:
What is the main object of these stated
examinations a nd how does our system
compare vii TIA that in vogue elsewhere!
Concerning the Territorial requirement
OF teachers, IL Is enough to say that CIV
cry applicant for a school IL ust, pre-
viousl5 TO the commencement of his
term, obtain certificate from the
School Superintendent Of that partica-
lar coanty. The only exceptions al
lowed are the issue Of permit for a
few months, ant. the granting of Ter
ritorial certificate, valid anywhere
through the Territory. Bat Terrific
rial certificate, costing 81 and issued
only at the Capital Ia granted for three
years only, which is tho time of first
grade county Certificate. The writer
claims that county certificates of the
frat grade ought to cntitle the holder to
teach in any county. during the three
years from date of issue, especially
since there Is uniform series of qnes-
tions throughout the Territory, and
that the holder Of such certificate should
only BIO required, on change of resi-
dence. to present 1t for endorsement of
the superintendent of the county wherein
his school Is located. This is customary
elsewhere, and the writer once received
a letter fIom State Super. ntendent err,
of California, authorizing the uss in his
State OF the ccrtific Ate issued in the ad.
joining State of New ida. This il but
q natural courtesy. The nearest ap-
proach to this with IA Ia the authority
OF the Territorial Board OF Education,
At their discretion, to grant, without
EXAMINATION. certificates to person pre-
senting authenticated diplomas or Ger
tificates from other States" But there
Is no other method of securing a certiii.
cate without examination in our Terri
tory, nor Is renewal Of certiHc ate pos
sible.
This suggests the methods In other
states. In California tun less the Law
has changed within n few years. the
State Board can issue life diplomas, aud
State diplomas of dlfferens durations,
and renew the latter IL desired. And
renewal. even Of second-nrasle county
certificate, is permitted to the County
Superintendent who may also renew
those issued in other counties. Much
the aAme Law prevails in Nevada. IN
Michigan recent Law entities a teacher,
having twice obtained a first grade
county certificate, TO secure a renewal
without examination.
Tins, elsewhere, experience in teach
ing " taken rs psfssa .Taeie evidence of
fitness, aud this IL ~ proper as for a
doctor or lawyer to continue his prac-
tice unchalleneei. when once recog-
| nixed. as in good standing.
In Ohio this subject OF periodi, ex
animation OF teachers Is eiiciting con
siderable discussion from the pre- a.
Tho toassasssai-tsasffs of Ciussnaati
advocates reforming the Board for
Hamilton c,unty. Tbs Gas,sfs, Of Stem.
benville. says; The examiners devote
their life time 10 hunting up catch ques-
tons 70 DO used in teachers exafaina-
| lions."
| The Columbus Dix,ateA publishes an
entire list OF questions, discusses them
IN the light OF Common sense. dlscards
the whole ten questions on history aud
shows that scarcely half of the entire
list have any value ~ tests of quslifics-
tons for teaching.
II used 10 BE- tho idea that the s,hoo,
teacher must know everythinv at ali
connected with books. and answer i'm
promptu all problems. that of ss,hree
oats catching three mice in three min
utea.s or the contents OF an irre,alsr
csstern. or the number Of rails in n
worm fence about the meadow, Rut
We have lost sight Of that DAY, with IL
requirements OF boarding 'round'' and
its twenty two days 10 the raoash. y
With reference IN frsqnens aud detailed
examination Of teachers, tie writer "a
holder OF tvo nrst grade Certificates ia
this Territory J, can see uo gain for the
schools or ether benefit tsy this system.
that admits Il no elasticity. or cpnrse
the younger and Inexperienced scscLers
With the greater past of new comers
may vcll Be examined upon their aa,i :
incstious. bat 10 require ~ examina
taon OF all teachers indiacriminafeIv i
unphilosophical and unjust. The in
oonvsuieuce and expense Connected
With eneh o0afss should he cossidersa
decisive, % say nothing Of the indicni.
ties 70 those Of established repu.a ton.
! Dawn n. Pogr.