Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1892-03-12
EX
Some Suggestions in Regards tn
Them.

On behalf, and by request of several
teachers more directly interested in the
matter than myself. this is written with
the view of obtaining, if possible, longer
time than that heretofore given in this
county for teachers examinations. The
time allowed has been one day, from .
a. m, Ia 3 y. M, six hours in which 10
write the answers to ten or more ques-
tons. each. in "Orthography, Reading
Writing. Arithmetic. Geography. Histo.
ry. English Grammar. Physiology and
Geometry for Second Grade Certificates:
and in Book Keeping, Algebra. Natural
Philosophy. and additional books ia Genm-
etry for First Grade But according 10
the revised Bylaws of our State School
Board there have been ddded 10 the above
toT future examinations for .Second Crude,
History of Md; the Constitution of Md.
aud the United States. Algebra 10 Quad
radios. Theory aud Practice OF Teaching.
and the Laws and laws of the Public
school System of Md, aud for First
Grade, 10 all the above. is added General
History. Besides the penmanship of the
entire examination is taken into consider
alton in making the papers, and too rapid
writing may lower the average (why
could not the first page, only. of u set of
papers be marked in penmanship:l Now
examinations 10 be worth anything
should he thorough and SO given rs 10
obtain the best, not worst efforts of the
examined; this with the present method
Is hardly possible. The candidate com
mences the examination feeling that he
must hurry, hurry, hurry, To get through
in time: for even If the Examiner is SO
kindly lenient rs To extend the time be-
yond the hour sci tor closing, with many
there is fear of intrutlIng and of being
under-rated by taking longer time Bui
with many persons. 10 he hurried is 10
drive every idea from their mind there.
fore they do not do themselves Justice nj
al in The examination While this is es-
pecially true Of new applicants. il also ap-
plies To many who have been examined
repeatedly Then there is no time af.
torded for even lunch and the constant
STRAIN for six Tor more) consecutive hours,
without food, is hard and injurious No
wonder examinations are dreaded from
the time one is taken 10 the time of the
next by some. do not intend. in this
paper 10 discuss the question whether or
not periodical examinations should be
given al all but do insist with all the
earnesiness of lone who has been there"
that every possible means should b..
adopted 10 Tighten this heavy task In
many respects the school affairs of our
county compare very favorable with
other counties of our State; but in this
particular, | believe we have let some of
the other counties get ahead OF us
Now would suggest rs "A remedy for
this matter, that the examination he eX-
tended throughout al least two days tper-
haps more would be better1 Let the
questions in different subjects he proper
~ divided upon two or more separate
papers. Then one paper could be given
the first day, another the next day, and
so on until all had been given, giving No
more than two or three consecutive hours
writing at one sitting Thus firmly he
lieve, the average teacher would make II
mark at least ten per cent. higher than
he can do if crowded as at present
This is not merely fancy, but is be-
lief fully borne out by noticing the diff
crencc of results obtained in the school
room when pupils were hurried with
their written examinations and when sut-
ticient time was allowed
So far as | can see, the greatest obiec-
ton against extending the time is thai
applicants must be AT the trouble aud
expense of coming two or three days to
Snow Hill for examinations instead al
only one day as heretofore. But have
not heard more than one teacher urge
that objection, though have heard the
idea discussed by quite number who do
moi live near Snow Hill.
There nigh, he found II remedy Ca.
This difficulty, however. IT seems 10
Referring To Art Nv, Sec. 4. of the M
viscd by laws al our public Schools. We
find. "lie THE examiner) sllalI hold an
annual examination of lea<IIe1z IN the
presence OF nj least 0fla EN64l Commits
sioner OF Dislrict TrskS 4t such time