The Dalles times-mountaineer. [volume] (The Dalles, Or.) 1882-1904, 1889-09-21
About Exam IN nt.ou,

EDITOR Es-MoUSTAISgER:
In looking over a list of questions upon
which our teachers were recently examined
as test of their efficiency as teachers,
which list also contains some rulings and
instructions from our state board of educa-
tion few facts present themselves that are
worthy OF attention.
One might well suppose from the amount
of ''red tape" applied to our teachers, that
our state legislature had been taxed to its
utmost, in enacting laws for the prosecution
of those engaged in the thankless occupation
of teaching. The young man who fits him.
self for the medical profession, who Is in
trusted with the lives and health of his
fellow-men, is never subjected to an exam.
ination after he has entered into the practice
of his profession. The young man who fits
himself for the legal profession, who is in
trusted with the lives, liberty and property
of his clients, is never subjected to an ex-
animation after having been admitted to
practice law. And why should the individ-
ual who has studied with view of teach.
ing, and engages in that profession, be
made an exception. An individual who
has never taught school may be found per-
feet in his examination and have been grad
uated from Yale, yet he is entitled only to
third grade certificate, and at the end of
year he is required to pass like examina-
tion, aud at the cad of two years he is
again required to pass an examination, and
at the close of three years he may again be
called upon to pass another examination,
each time at an expense of $40, or more,
and two and half days of careful labor.
Again, he is required to attend teachers
institute at least once each year, at an aver
age expense of $40, and labor as much of
the remainder of tine time as he can find
employment for $50 or S35 per month, and
board around among his pupils. Surely our
legislature has succeeded in making this an
enticing field for those seeking profession.
But the legislature has not done enough.
the state board steps in with series of
ralcs tor the government Of the examIna-
tions that are equally odious Each teacher
is required to be present at the commence
ment OF the examination and during its
entire continuance, or he is liable to be
ruled out. He is watched as closely as if
he were thief, and before receiving his
certificate is required to sign the following:
81 do hereby certify, that prior to this ex-
animation, had no knowledge of the ques-
tions and have neither given nor received
any aid during the progress OF the same"
Thus teacher who has received aid and is
honest enough to acknowledge it is cast out.
while another dishonest enough to deny 1t
is retained.
These laws and rules which were doubt
less intended to benefit our schools are cer-
tainly defeating the very ends that they
were intended to accomplish, and as fast as
our teachers can enOaUa in other rursuits
less depreciating they are availing Them
selves of the opportunity. being one who
deserted the ranks of the oppressed, have
no personal grievances to offer. but il we
wish our public school system to prosper,
we must raise the dignity of the profession
OF teaching and make it more remunerative.
b. T.. HoKE.