The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1893-02-17
CHOOSING SCHOOL-TEACHERS.

II is a kind of rule In honest politics TO
accept change OF method which Is clearly
for the better. even If it is not perfect. The
present Board of Education has made a de-
cided Improvement iG the method OF elect
Observation-Disclosures. but possibly the method
proposed is not the best possible method.
At all events number OF Normal School
graduates think it is not. as appears from
a circular letter distributed among the news
papers of this city. The letter, which takes
the form OF protest. says
The plan as proposed seems to be to elect
annually six teachers from each years Normal
class. Other vacancies will be filled by gradu.
aIes whose credentials are 10 be presented TO
board of examiners. This board VIII make the
selection, after having subjected the applicants
to a competitive examination. 1t Is to the in
justice of this measure that we NOrmals Of pre-
vious years wish to call The attention OF the
Honorable Board. Are we, after having grad
uated from the High School aud having spent an
additional year In training to perfect us as
teachers, to be obliged TO pass further examlna-
tons TO prove our ability? AS the matter now
stands, are the young NOrmals 8 years of age
graduating annually deemed more competent
than we, who besides being older by three or
four years have probably been gaining expert
ence reaching privately or Ia country schools?
II we are TO be subjected 10 the indlgniiy Of
competitive examinations In our own city. what
Will be the effect upon The presentation OF our
certificates in the counties throughout the State
where they are now accepted?
Is Il just because we have not had the pOliti-
cal patronage necessary to the recognition OF
our competency In past years. that now in a
board where merit seems TO have some consld-
Grafton we should be subjected TO examinations?
Does it not seem a reflection upon thu thor
oughness of our examinations and an aft ont TO
those who conducted them7 IL State Superin-
tendent Anderson. City Superintendent SWEET.
Mrs Kincaid, ex-prlnclpal OF the Girls High
School, and other esteemed educators. deemed
us worthy TO receive certificates qualifying US TO
teach. is 1t not super1uOus TO require another
board OF examiners To approve OF their action
and to certify to their competency as examiners?
The plan that seems the most just would be to
submit the credentials Of the teachers nominated
TO a board OF examiners, and let percentage, ex-
perience in teaching and physical ability be the
standards of judgment.
BY kindly giving space TO this article you will
confer great favor upon
NORMAL GRADUATE.
San Francisco, Feb. II, 1898.
There is CO siderable force in this argu-
ment. The standard OF qualification should
he made as broad as possible. Mere schol-
arship should not be made the dstermin-
ing consideration. The physical ability
to perform the work of teaching is of con-
siderable Importance. This qualification is
best tested by experience. The plan Of the
present board lifts the applicant for a
teachers position out Of the political mire.
! The use Of money will not greatly advance
an applicants chances, nor will the nom
use of money prejudice case