The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1892-11-05
OKLAHOMA SCHOOL MATTERS


GUTHRIE, O. T., Nov. 4.-The territorial
board OF education met at Kingfisher yes-
terday. Several county superintendents
were present.
II was decided to hold an examination
for territorial certificates about tho time
of the holidays The candidates will be
examined in the following branches:
Physiology, science of pedagogy. history
OF education, general history. elemsnts OF
the natural sciences, entomology, Algebra
aud geometry. The candidates must have
had II professional experience OF not less
than ten years, and must have taught one
year In the territory subsequent To the
passage OF the act creating the territorial
board of education. Messrs. Parker, Titus
complete the list of questions for the ex-
animation. The time and place of holding
such examination will be announced later.
Several recommendations were decided
upon Tor presentation to the next legisla-
ture, looking to the amendmenr of The
school law. Among them were the follow
ing: To hold an examination ut the close
OF the county institute; to compel the at
tendance OF all the teachers upon such in
stitutes, and the payment of tne registra-
tion fee, under penalty of the revocation.
OF their certificates: TO make the term of
the Institutes four weeks, at least; to per-
nit school boards to have discretionary
power as 10 establishing and providing for
high schools; To add to the list of branches
for first and second grade certiicatey
mental science; to add physiology and
hygiene to the list of branches for third
grade certificate: to add the elementary
principles of book keeping TO the branches
required for first and second grade certifi-
Gates; that the fee for examination for II
territorial certificate shall be IS; that the
salary of the county superintendent he in
creased, and that he be allowed travelling
expenses and be compelled to devote his
entire time to the work; that separate
schools be established by the townships;
that all fines shall 20 into the school fund;
that township school boundaries shall
conform to county lines.
A committee, consisting of Messrs.
Parke, Titus and Cough, was appointed to
decide upon u dictionary to recommend
for use in the schools.
The board adjourned, to meet at the call
of he president.
Iu recommending changes in the school
law TO the legislature the necessity of such
changes must be apparent To the board.
1t is questionable whether it would be
advisa ple to compel candidate for sec
ond grade county certificate to pass an ex-
animation in mental science. The major
ity, and many of our best teachers, have
never received collegiate. normal or even
high school training, and to demand of
them that they submit to an examination
in this branch seems to be ultra. Would
it not be better to substitute mental arith-
metic?
That there should be county examina-
ton at the close Of the county institute is
imperative. Good teachers will always be
found in attendance upo0 such gatherings,
and poor teachers should be compelled To
attend. Four weeks is the minimum of
successful institute.
The Office OF county superintendent is at
present honorary. The salary is wholly
inadequate. The county superintendent
receives $500 per annum and pays all his
expenses. Either abolish this office Or
make the salary sufficient to induce good
men to accept and devote their time TO il.
School district boundaries should not ex-
tend beyond county lines. Only misun-
derstaudlng aud trouble result from such
a condition.
Handsome is that handsome does, "and
Hoods Sarsaparilla does handsomely.