Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1889-03-21
now SHALL WE RAISE THE STANDARD
OF OUR COMMON SCHOOLS?
lJgutfnuc1A

now SHALL WE RAISE THE STANDARD
OF OUR COMMON SCHOOLS?
tCuutinucil
The organization of school dis.
tricts, the levying of taxes, the ap-
portioumeut o. the school fund, the
minimum school year, in fact every
thing pertaining to the establish
ment and support of the common
schools, are clearly defined in the
school laws, and the etfectual penal.
ties for maladmiuistratiou or negl-
gence of school officials are provided;
but, in regard to the examination
and the qualifications of teachers,
the supervision of schools and SO on,
the law, though mandatory in form,
is in fact only advisory, and it's in
depreciation and enforcement is left
largely to the discretion Of school
officers. We do not assume to know
the proper remedies for these faults
of the law, nor do We presume 20
eriticiso the enactors. They no
doubt, canyassed the various rela.
tions thoroughly and gave us the
code best adapted to the eircum-
stances. We think, however, the
cause of education is rapidly ad-
yanciny, and could be much aided
10y revision OF certain points in
the school code. IL so much of the
administration OF the school is TO
be left to the discretion of the
school official, he should be perfectly
free to exercise his will. The great
er the Discretionary power, the
greater are the responsibilities, aud
the frear should be who must exer-
else this power be from political
dependence. II, perhaps, is not
possible, under the present genius
of our state government, TO fill
school offices by Appointment, but
the elections to fiji these Offices
should be removed from all political
excitement. Political prejudice too
often dictates the choice OF school
officials.
The educational qualifications Of
teachers IN our common schools are
insufficient. A very large proper
ton of these teachers are barely
able TO get third grade certificates,
Our schools need teachers with
more breadth and maturity. A GOOD
education is the prime requisite OF
teacher, and no one can be a
teacher in the true sense of the
word without it. Whether it be the
selfculture of a'page or the collie
giate discipline of a Garfield, there
must be an education. One of the
best high and graded schools in this
state requires ali its teachers to hold
first grade certificates.
A second grade certificate is good
for two years, and a first grade for
four years. The extension OF time
IN these is some induoement to OBJ
tain them, but unfortunately the
third grade can still be gotten, aud,
though good for one year only, Ii
easily obtained. II satisfies the am.
bition Of mediocre teachers aud
fills the ranks with incompetents.
Why not abolish the third grade
certificate? The opportunities for
acquiring an education are now 50
good that the qualifications Of teach.
ers should be better than ever be-
fore. The provision d the law, al
lowing a teacher to write year after
year for a third grade certificate, is
wrong, and it has done much TO
crush out The true spirit of ambition
among common school teachers.
Suppose The law should be so amend
ed as to require "a candidate TO write
for a second grade at his second ex-
animation, and for q first grade IN
two years from this time. WHIST
ever may be the plan, the principle
should be this: require, as an uiti-
mate qualification, that the teachers
Of our common schools ahall hold
first grade certificates
Taking into confederation the
wages now paid TO common school
teachers, the above plan seems
Utopiau. But the very low wages
now paid to district teachers are the
direct result of low grade cartii.
Gates. Teachers wages are regu-
lated by the common law Of supply
and demand. Teachers Of expert
ence and ability are forced 10 teach
for wages far below what they
deserve, because the market is over
stocked with low grade teaeders.
Again, q large number Of the more
ambitious and consequently better
teacher, hayo been driven from the
field. The Withdrawal Of these
from the work has very materially
lowered the standard of our schools.
Tie law says that person Who
desires to teach IL The pubIicsc schools
Of the state shall have certain edu-
ca.ional qualifications, and shall
possess moral character; but moth
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