The Press., 1896-03-26
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UNIFORM EXAMINATIONS.


 The question of "How to improve ou
 schools" seemed to be a live one at tn,
 late teachers convention at Stafford Springs.
 If there is any lack in educational qual
 ifications required of teachers, there is { way out Perhaps the only examination which'is indisputably fair and equal fol all is the Uniform Examination" which is the same for all teachers of the same grade throughout town or set of towns Such are held in different convenient places in each commissioned district about once in two months, or six times ir a year, for the common school teachers of the state of New York. The first grade or higher examination, occurs twice in year. The dates are arranged and announced at the beginning of the year, and the places also quite early at which teachers are to assemble for exam ination. This plan economies the exam iner's time greatly, as compared with pri- vate examination of one teacher at a time, and saves the teacher useless travel and the disappointment of not finding the ex- aminer, as frequently happens in the lat ter Case. We say case, not plara, for it occurs through the want of plan.
 A greater advantage of the public over the private examination is, that as all teachers of the same grade have precisely the same questions, furnished not by the examiner, but by the state board of edu- cation, the examiner acting chiefly as agent of the state to see that the exami- nation is honest, there can be no charge of partiality or unfairness against him on that score. He is not allowed to grant a certificate unless the fixed per cent. of questions is answered, at least 75 per cent. each in arithmetic, geography, gram mar, reading, spelling and penmanship, and all 00eT'Gge standing of 75 per cent. in composition, physiology and hygiene, for beginners oI third grade. Certificate good for one year and not renewable; :; the examination, except in reading, is written. The examination for the second year adds civil government, drawing, American history, current topics, meth- ods and school economy. After August 1, 1896, all teachers will be axamined in school law, and American history will be reqafs aof third grads 5oandidaGes
 The purpose of this system is evident, viz. To compel teachers to be prepared on the subjects of the second grade, after one year, or to drop out of service. The first grade is harder, and has 16 subjects As sample of the questions given to the second and third grades we give those of January, 1896, in geography (1O credits each): 1, Give two causes of the change of seasons. 3, If the earth's axis were in- clined 12o to the plane of it's orbit, what would be the width in degrees of each of the temperate zones? 3, Locate the fol- lowing lakes: (a) Champlain, (b) Ostego, Co Great Salt, (O Winnepeg, (e) Geneva. 4, Describe the following rivers: (a) Con- necticut, (b) Lena, Co Yukon, (d) Colum- bia, (e) Euphrates. 5, In what state or country and on what water is each of the following cities: (a) Milwaukee, (b) Edin- burgh, Co Algiers, (d) Tokio, (e) Mel bourne. 6, What waters are connected by the following straits (a) Mackinaw, (b) Behring, Co East River. 7, Locate the following mountains: (a) Katahdin, (b) Mt. Washington, (c) Mt. Marcy, (d) Pike's Peak, (e) Mt. Hecla. 8, For what is each of the following cities especially noted; (a) Pittsburgh, (b) Liverpool, Co Venice? 9, Name two natural causes which have contributed to the growth of San Francisco. 10, What four rivers drain the greater part of Africa?
 The subjects for composition were: 1, The Armenians; 3, The Pleasure of Teaching; 3, Christmas Night; 4, How Gan Make the School Room Attractive?
 Some questions on methods of teach ing and school economy were 1, State an objection to giving extra school work as punishment for misconduct. 2, State an objection to the practice of allowing pupils of the same grade to study togeth- or 3, (a) Give one advantage in having uniformity of text books, (b) Give one ad- vantage in having variety of text books. 3, In the reading class pupils are often required to tell the story of the selection in their own words, why should this pre- ,ede their oral reading of the selection :, Give concrete illustration to show the office of the denominator and of the J. N. ENO.