The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1893-11-07
A MEETING TO QUIET THEM.
SWEET, Hyde and Ames Say 1t Is
All Right.
SIGNIFICANT RESOLUTION.
Particulars of the Policy of the School
Board to "Raise the Eff.
cheney of Teachers"


teachers holding primary or second-grade
certificates was held in Commercial Hall
yesterday afternoon. Besides Superln-
tendent SWEET. President Hyde and Drec-
tor Ames Of the School Board were pres
ent, and successfully strove to allay the
fears of the upward of 100 teachers who
had responded in person to the call.
The teachers had been alarmed by vague
rumorS to the effect that the Board OF
Education intended refusing TO renew sec
ond-grade certificates in future, unless can
didates passed an examination. Hitherto
such certificates had been renewed by the
Board of Examiners and confirmed by the
School Board almost as matter OF course
but recently it was reported that the eX-
amlDers had put some restriction on the
renewal or in some way delegated their
powers to the School Board, who proposed
to require more stringent qualification.
The Superintendent and members of the
School Board present at the meeting did
n OF deny that something of the kind was
in the air. But they maintained that.
practically, things would remain in statu
quo ante. Henceforth. however. applica-
tions for renewal of second-gr certif-
Gates would have to be accompanied by a
recommendation from a principal as to
ability. and even first-class recommends.
ton would not necessarily be final when
the matter of confirming the certificate
came up before the School Board.
Moreover, teachers were very gently
told that they ought to try for a first
grade certificate; the eXamin atoms were
very easy. 1t was intimated that such
course was expected, in order to make
room for new graduates and raise the eff
cheney of teachers throughout the schools.
Superintendent SWEET first cast oil on
the troubled waters. He had called the
meeting in consequence of many inquiries
as to the course to be pursued by holders
of secOnd-grade certificates In order to
secure first-grade certificates. lie was
glad also TO have the opportunity TO dispel
a mlsapprehenSion that SecOndgrade GER
tifcates were TO be forfeited. This fear
had arisen through member OF the Board
of Education having made motion to
refer to a committee recommendation oil
the Board of Examiners in favor Of the
renewal of such certificates.
He wished IL distinctly understood that
the Board of Education had not refused to
renew any such certificates and had taken
nc action in the premises.
Atthe same time Mr.. SWEET approved
conviction of one member of the board to
the effect that all holders of second-grade
certificates ought to prepare themselves
to obtain higher grade certificates.
The cardinal points in the question. said
the uperntendent, rested 10 the fact that
under the law the examiners have now
only the power to recommend rem ovals.
which must be confirmed by the School
Buard: and also In another fact that the
examiners now require additional proof of
competency other than that indicated by
certificate. The Board of Examination at
its latest meeting on October 81, 1898,
adopted the following resolution:
RESOLVED, That the City and County Board Of
Examination Will hereafter not recommend 10
the Board of Education the renewal OF any GER
tifcate OF any grade whatever unless The
holders OF certificates about TO expire shall file
with the secretary of this board reports relative
to their success as teachers from The principals
of schools in which they have been teaching as
assistants subsequenrto the issuing Of their GER
tcates or their latest renewal. In the case OF
principals a recommendation shall be filed
from the City and County superintendent OF
Common Schools.
''In other words" said Superintend dent
SWEET, some testimony Will hereafter be
required before certificates will be re-
1ewed. This testimony will consist OF the
principals statement and such other infor-
testimony or information goes against an
applicant her renewal might be refused /;
that seems reasonable enough"
Mr.. SWEET then explained the subjects
necessary for an examination for first
grade certificate: They were: Algebra.
physics, physiology, psychology and book
keeping, with music and drawing as
extras. All these subjects were to be
studied In their elementary stage and the
hard names-such as psychology. which
would only nave reference to the methods
of teachng"-need terrify none.
The superin tendent reminded his hearers
that in good many counties Of the State
there was already rule that no primary
or second grade certificates should be re-
cd in II m al tod a a q n m
the part of the Board of Education in this
city might some day be inaugurated. In
any event, he advised all who could to
undergo the examination for a higher
grade certificate, and thought many had
been very negligent in not doing so before,
especially the high school graduates.
In answer to questions Mr.. SWEET de-
clared that success in any subject in an
examination, supposing the candidate
failed in the whole, would be credited in
the next trial.
Mrs. Baker, a teacher. was applauded in
sturdy appeal for exemption from exam
inaJion for such OF the second-grade certif-
cate holders who had been raised to that
grade on experience and not on scholar
ship.
President HYDE of the school board
| begged to assure those present that any
movement to induce them TO apply for a
| first-class certificate was in their own in
| ter6St-lt WOOl1 give Cl10u increased pay
and more consideration. 1t had not been
suggested in the board that they be forced
to undergo an examination. a teachers
ability could not be assumed from her
grade; the board considered experience as
| the best test. In seeking to raise the eff
cheney of the teachers department it was
| quite possible the board might not issue
| any more second-grade certificates. but all
| those already issued would be renewed if
supported by proper evidence of compe-
| tence.
| Director Ames followed in the same re-
assuring strain. Nothing alarming was
| going to happen in connection with the
second-grade certificates.
The teachers were somewhat cheered by
these explanations, but great many re-
manned after the meeting broke up to put
some pertinent questions.
What evidence of competency will the
| board require other than recommends
ton by principal?" was one direct ques-
| ton.
oh, anything-anythingV replied
| President Hyde. "The recommendation
will be by no means conclusive. ANY in
| formation we may receive touching the
| capabIlity of teacher might start an in
dividual inquiry into her case, and that
might possibly result in refusal TO renew
her certificate"
There is nothing new in that re-
marked Director Ames.