St. Tammany farmer. [volume] (Covington, La.) 1874-current, 1896-12-12
EXAMINATION or
TEACHERS.

To the Parish Superintendent:
The greatest evil that can fal
upon school or system Of school
Is the employment Of incompetent
teachers and one of the best mean
70 guard against this evil is tina
which the school law provides,
fair aud satisfactory examination 0
applicants for positions as teachers
Before the meeting Of the Stat
board Of education last summer, fire.
qoent complaints, whether well Q
ill-founded, were made by promi
nent people, teachers and psrisl
superintendent to the effect tina
the object OF the law in this impor
tant matter WAS generally dlsre
garded; that examinations wer'
very unequal in the different par
isles; that persons securing certiti
Gates Of fret grade in one parish
would not be deemed qualified TO
. second or even third grade IL
another parish; and that there wa
. lack Of uniformity aud system i,
this all-l:nporiant part Of our schoo
work.
Tue State Board, at its regular
meeting Angus. 20, passed serle.
Vt resolutions intended TO NEE
these complaints AZ far as was lhel
considered feasible. Questions fol
Information sent to us indicate thai
the meaning Of the resolutions has
not been in all places well under.
stood. In answer 70 some Of these
inquiries it should be explained thai
it is desired to have the examina-
lions held at the same time in all
the parishes, and that the time Oi
the quarterly meetings Of the par
ish boards was selected because it
was considered most convenient for
the examining committees, and be-
cause, although the schools are not
opened ut the same time Of the
year in all parts Of the State. YET
they are everywhere opened at the
beginning of some one OF the fiscal
quarters Of the year. For this
reason questions are sent to each
parish every quarter, not that every
parish is TO hold examinations
every quarter, but that whenever
they are held, they shall be al
adequate and uniform test,
Whether examinations are to he
held more than once year in an.
parish, the parish board will decide;
but all examinations must be hela
at the time OF the quarterly meet
lngs. The parish superintendent
and his board should decide whether
it is best to have it done on the da.
u the quarterly meeting, or on on.
or two days before or after said
meeting.
One set Of questions is furnished
upon eac;. branch designated by th.
school law; aud we shall endeavoI
TO make them numerous aud varied
enough to enable an applicant fol
any grade to realize the percentage
required. In calculating the re-
suit an average of IS should suffice
for certificate Of third grade, anu
% for one OF the second grade
But no one should pass who falls
below so in any branch.
Questions in the higher branches
are for applicants for high schools
'ome Of these apply for special
only; the examining COM
nittees will easily decide upon th+
'esult IN these cases without any
ixed average for the present.
In reply to queries regarding til.
privileges Of State norma! school
graduates when applying for posi-
ions, | submit for your perusal the
following amendment Of Sec. 3, Of
Act. Is. Sess. 1892. By the genera
July 3, 1896:
"The board Of administrators Vi
he State normal school IS hereb.
empowered to confer diplomas upon
ii graduates Of said school. This
llploma shall entitle the holder 10 |
first grade teachers certificate
without examination, and shall BE-
'alid in any part OF the State 10,
our years from the date OF gradual
ION, after the expiration of which
''ne it may be renewed every -four
ears. for the same period, BY sain
'oArd OF administrators upon salts
actory evidence Of The ability,
Progress and moral character OF the
eacher making application for such
enewal. Furthermore, the diploma
4 the Stale normal school shall
ntltle its holder to such degree Of
reference in the selection OF teach
rs for the public schools OF tie
tate As may be deemed wise and
xpedient for the State board OF
ducation.
Very respectfully,
j. v. CALHOUN,
State Supt. Of Public Education.