The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1892-03-09
EDUCATIONAL COLUMN.


Another term OF our common schools VIII
soon have made its record. For the county
as whole, the term Of 1912 has been
most successful and satisfactory one All
the districts in the county except Somerset
and Meyersdale have had a six months
term, and with the exception of the schools
in the capital and the metropolis, all viii
have closed within the next thirty days IN
less specially delayed
In this column we can refer only to the
work connected with the close of the schools
which this year presents some new features,
especially as applied to the rural districts.
The grading of all schools has been at
tempted, and thus far the progress and the
results have been generally satisfactory. A
beginning has been made in every school,
and the foundation laid for more system
attic and thorough grading next year. Sub
stantisl progress in any line OF popular ed
ucaiioD must necessarily be graded. No
radical changes or reforms are contemplated
We seek to retain all that is good. while We
reach forward for still better things in and
| for our schools New demands are but the
evidence of healthy growth, and while the
development ofthe schools is 50 generally
recognized, it is also evident TO all who ars
intimately acquainted with their condition
and their needs. that their ultimate good car
come only through systematic work, through
grading, and popular support. This is the
end in view in the application of the Grddeo
System and the Coiuse Of Study. The readi
ness with which teachers and directors en-
/ dOrse and aid this movement calls forth
/ grateful recognition and popular support
10 few years we may have thoroughly grad
ed schools in every district, and all pupili
and patrons will understand fully and We be-
lieve heartily sustain the system. while they
reap its benefits in very much better schools
The natural and legitimate ou,growth o.
graded system is Graduation, and to tki:
feature attention is here directed.
EXAMINATIONS FOR GRADUATION.
Meyersdale, Somerset, Berlin, Ursina and
Confluence will this year present classes fol
/ examination. lockwood and Salisbury viii
/ have Junior classes only. These seven Dor
oughs have special courses of study com
| prising the common school curriculum and
some or all of the following additional
branches: Literature, Rhetoric, Algebra
Drawing, Book keeping and General Histo-
try. All other schools in the county use the
County Course Of Study which includes the
common branches only. With the adoption
and use of this course of study pupils may
graduate from the country as well as from
the town schools The system Of graduation
is practically the same in town and country,
except that the borough high schools have
the advanced or additional work, and ap-
plicants for graduation in those schools are
examined in all the branches of the adopted
course, while those from all other school.
are examined in the common branches only.
This is the first year for the course of fstudy
in the country and small borough districts,
but in many schools the movement has given
adecided impetus, and number of advanc.
ed pupils have applied for graduation at the
close Of the schools in their respective dis
tricts. Applicants may attend the eIamins-
ton NEST convenient for them. The dates
and places named below viii accommodate
sll the applicants reported. Two days are
given to the borough high schools of Berlin
Somerset and Meyersdale.
Examinations will be held as follows:
BrOthersvslley, lFairview s. H. Satur-
day, March II.
Garrett, Monday, March IA.
] Salisbury, Tuesday, March l5
Berlin. wednesday and Thursday, March
l6 and Il.
ShanksviIle, Saturday, March 10.
Confluence, Tuesday, March %.
Ursina, Wednesday, March n.
Sioyestown. Thursday, March >.
Jenner Y Roads, Friday, March 26.
Somerset twp, lCapp S H. Saturday
March 81.
New CentreYilie, WedneSdly, March 30.
Kingwcod. Thursday, March 81.
Sand Patch, Saturday, April ,.
Meyersdale. Tuesday and Wednesday,
April IS and q.
Somerset, Thursday and Friday, April 2s
and %
RULES AND REGULATIONS.
The following regulations will govern
these final or graduating examinations
l. Pupils should present a written state
ment from their respective teachers, recon-
mending them for graduation.
p Examinations Will begin at 8 o'clock
unless otherwise named.
5. Each class will be examined by a com.
mittee of three. two of whom shall be select
ed by the teachers and directors of the dis
triet or districts for which the examination
is held. Teachers who present candidates fol
graduation shall not be eligible TO member
ship on this committee.
4. The County Superintendent will. be ex-
offlcio chairman of each committee, and aftel
the other members of the committee have
been named, be will distribute the branch.
es among the committee and assist in hold
ing determination.
5. The plan of holding the examinations
shall be uniform and the grade Of question:
as nearly equal as possible. Applicants
should come prepared TO do some writtez
work; although part of the work may bt
ora.
s. No pupil shall be graded who in the
final examination falls below so per cent. in
the general average, or below 6oper cent. in
any one branch OF the course of study
Term records may be considered by exam in
ers in determining final grades.
7. Neat and attractive diplomas will b'
furnished by the Superintendent Each
pupil upon passing the examination salts
factorily will be granted one of these diPlo-
mas which will be signed by the examiners
the teacher, and the officials of the board ol
directors for the pupils district.
Most of the committees have already been
selected. and each will be notified in due
time of their part in the examinations
All these examinations will be open tC
the educational public. Directors and teach.
ers are especially invited 10 be present.
Appropriate exercises may be arranged fol
in connection with the granting of diplomas
The exercises may constitute a program fol
an evening meeting after the examination
or at the close of the term
These examinations will not interfere any
where with The regular school work.
VALUE OF DIPLOMAS.
A diploma is a recognition of scholarship
for which to strive The standard required
for graduation will be sufficiently high to
present stimulus for faithful study, and TO
give those who reach ths. standard due credit
for thorough work and fair scholastic attain.
ment. A common school diploma will have
no intrinsic or professional value, however
While it is presumed TO be ample evidence