The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1895-03-17
WITH NOUNS And FIGURES.
THE EXAMINATION OF ASPIRANTS
FOR TEACHERS CERTIFI-
GATES BEGINS.
THURSDAY WILL BE SET APART FOR
A PROGRAMME OF SPECIAL
STUDIES.

twenty-five young men and women and
one middle-aged man struggled with ques-
tlons in arithmetic, grammar and spelling
yesterday in the normal school building
on Powell street, near Clay. The occasion
was the semi-annual examination of those
who aspire to be teachers in the School
Department, and wanted to secure high
school, grammar, primary or special
certificates.
Promptly at 9 o'clock the aspirants for
pedagogic honors were on hand, and took
their seats in the large classroom on the
second floor. Those in charge of affairs
were Deputy Superintendent Madison
Babcock; Miss NJ. E. Callahan, principal
of the Clement Grammar School; Miss N
L. Wood, principal of the Hearst School;
James F. Hamilton principal of the Lin
coin School; Frank Morton, principal of
the Boys High School.
The first study taken up was written
arithmetic with ninety credits; next was
grammar, eighty credits. and in the after
noon spelling and defining, eighty credits.
The pupils" were given every oppor-
tunity as regards time in which to do
their work. Mr.. Babcock is a firm be-
lever in allowing, time in examination
work, as he thinks the results are more
satisfactory.
Each one of the aspirants was also
obliged to answer seven general questions
in which they gave their Names residence,
what grade of certificate they desired
where they were educated, what certifi-
Gates they at present held, references in
regard to teaching and moral character
and finally, what experience in teaching
they had had.
Seated at one of the desks in the rear of
the classroom was young colored man
" bn had hppn q Sfndnnf a hn S&oto mi
versity. He gave his name as Glasgow
Cyrus Davis. He wanted a certificate
which would enable him to earn his living
by teaching.
AT the other end of the room was the
middle-aged pupil His name is Wal
ter Washington, and he was seeking a
grammar grade certificate. His experience
as teacher has been varied one, judging
from his written statement. He taught
for ten years at the Tavistock public school
in England and one year at the Oxford
University. He held first-class certificate
from the English educational department
and a second class certificate from the
Archbishop of Canterbury and York. As
teacher he has had twenty years expe-
rience.
The spelling and defining lessons were
the easiest of the day. and came as a sort
of benePction after the hard wrestle with
arithmetical problems and grammatical
LIE HdTueSl among the
words were idiosyncrasy, sulphurous 81
licious and prescience.
The studies for primary certificate aspi-
rants are composition, geography, theory
| of education, penmanship, history, physi-
ology, drawing, oral music and oral arith-
metic.
The examination will last until next Fri
day and an average of three studies a day
will be maintained. On Monday compost
ton, geography and the theory of edu-
! cation will be on the programme.
Tuesday teachers who now hold primary
certificates and are DESTROYS of getting
grammar grade certificates will have a
chance to display their ability and right to
be advanced.
There will be a special examination on
Thursday consisting of manual training,
French, music and cooking. In one of the
lower classrooms of the school is kitchen,
and this will be used for the cooking les
sons.
A general average percentage of 50 is re-
quired to pass the examinations but those
who fall below go per cent in arithmetic,
grammar and spelling will be dropped out
of the race.
Deputy Superintendent Babcock says
that all the aspirants are energetic and
painstaking in their labors. Under the
rule adopted of not hurrying the pupils
they are enabled to do much better work
During the coming week there will be sew
eral additions to the ranks of the aspirants
consisting of those who are seeking for spe-
cial certificates and those who want the
present primary certificates which they
hold raised to grammar grade.