Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1889-08-02
EXAMINATION PAPERS FOR
mHACTTHRq

We read with much interest the articl.
in The Phoenix entitled Unhappy School
ma ANS ~ also the one in the Rutland Her.
aid on the subject, Analysis Of the Exam
ination papers" The Herald's style Of crit
icism makes interesting reading for those
teachers who made the trial Of an examiu
alton on the papers named, and doubtless
they are glad that the Herald went for
the questions. We were one Of the -
teachers who took the examination at Brat
tleboro. July 10th, and tried for a first
grade certificate, having been successful n
obtaining a state certificate twice and
county certificate on two occasions We
knew about the kind Of questions prepared
by Secretaries Adams Rankin and French.
but were a little fearful that Superintend
emit Palmer might have some "corkersn
A second grade certificate would have an.
swered our purpose, for we prefer an eY
animation once in two years rather than
five years, because we get a little rusty on
questions Of memory, as in geography,
when examinations are not frequent. The
examination papers used July 10Th were
not difficult, but they required too much
time 10 write out the answers. Good teach
ers and scholars fail mostly ON questions of
memory, and not ON principles, in the sub
iects taught in the common schools. We
got set ON some questions in geography and
history at the examination in Brattleboro,
and failed 10 spell Ecuador and some other
names Of places right. We think Capt.
Hall found as an interloper in "EcquadOr"
in our paper on geography. We overheard
veteran teacher muttering that she was
not going b write out all those capitals.
"There was no need Of it," The question
was Name all the countries Of North and
South America and give their capitals. 1t
is not difficult 10 do this when the subject
is fresh in the memory but wait few
months or year then try, and you will
find some breakers" in Central and South
America. On test question Of that kind,
not one Of company of twelve college
professors could name the location Of the
Maldive Islands. IL was rule among the
town superintendent at their annual meet
ings not 10 introduce too many questions
for the memory alone in examination pa
pers for teachers. The paper on civil gov
eminent, given in the last Phoenix, con
tans matter enough for 20 questions CUES
ton number 10 includes five distinct ques-
tons Define national sovereignty and
state sovereignty" would have been sufii
cient for one number. We are not compe
tent 10 instruct the state superintendent in
the preparation Of examination papers, but
when he has the questions all arranged for
publication, let him write out the answers
in full, then he can Judge Of the time they
Twill require in the written examination.
Six hours is long enough for an examina-
ton. IL a teacher cannot reveal sufficient
knowledge in that length Of time 10 be en-
titled 10 "A certificate, it is not much use to
try longer At the examination in Brat
tleboro we wrote steadily about eight hours
and when we left for the train, about g
O'Clock p. NJ, there were many teachers
still busy with the questions. We confess
that we got somewhat tired and may have
looked little weary and worn but look
at our fellow teachers, as we left the room,
did not discover any smiling faces anon Z
them. ID. In.