The record-union., 1897-11-23

Last, but not least State Superinten-
dent Black, who visits all Institutes in
the State.
Mr.. Howard wishes all teachers to be
prompt in attendance. He narrated an
incident of a teacher who asked what
she should do to pupils who were very
frequently tardy. He said he didn't
know, but upon looking over the roll
call at the institute found that this
teacher had been tardy four out Of six
roll calls He thinks that we should
set the example for prompt attendance.
Before introducing State Superinten-
dent Black he related a little anecdote.
State Superintendent Black. Mr.. Erie
wine, and he visited an institute in an
other county When they entered the
work of the institute was stopped, and
they were introduced.
again They had been asking ques-
tions and then calling upon the differ
ent teachers to answer.
The question: What will we do with
the natural liar, Mr.. Black?
Mr. Black repeated the question this
way, what shall we do with the nat
the imputation. 'tWhat shall we do
with the natural liar Mr.. Black?"
CERTIFICATING TEACHERS.
Superintendent Howard introduced
Superintendent of Public instruction
Black, whose address was on the sub
ject of "Certificating Teachers.
State Superintendent Black said that
he regretted that he would not be able
to be with them during the whole in
stitute, as he had two other institutes
for this week besides Thanksgiving,
which he generally spent on the rail-
road train and at lunch counters.
He said that Mr.. Howard need make
no apology, for the talent Which ne
had secured was the best obtainable.
Miss Catherine M. Ball is noted spec
ialist in her work. Miss Elizabeth
Rogers is an insperiation, useful, inter-
esting, and intensely practical. Doctor
Dresslar has no superior in his line OF
work. Professor Briggs will please all
by his delightful manner, boylsh ap-
pearance and modest demeanor. lie
would be found very pleasing and IN
teresting. :.
He said that the certificatlon OIL
teachers is most important to the teacn-
ers. but of far greater Importance 10
the children of this State.
In any public calling where expert
knowledge is needed. certificates OF
qualification are demanded. Credeh-
tials must be presented before they can
do their business. Engineers nave 10
give proof of their ability; also, civil
service men by competitive eXamana-
ton show that they are capable TO Ill
the position they are elected TO.
The tendency of the hour is to test
the knowledge of all persons. Thls
good work should be hastened in the
interest of good government. Good
scholarship is required for teaching.
Formerly the Board Of Trustees ex-
amined the teacher, but now this ex-
animation is placed in the hands or
experts. Now, however, we need more
than academic knowledge. We need
that knowledge, and in addition we
need special preparation, professional
reading or work in some particular
school 1t is necessary to study con-
tinually to keep up in lines of educa-
tional work.
Formerly there were three grades OF
certificates They were necessary at
that time, and were the best the edu-
cational forces could do. Afterwards
the third grade was dropped, and we
had rimary and grammar grades. 1t
is the primary or lower grade that he
wished to find fault with. Teaches
get their training in the public schools,
and each day sees tSem farther ad-
vanced, unless they are of the indiffer-
ent kind. Studies taught in this days
work gather force and training for the
next
The special training of the Normal
School fits the teacher for the broader
training that they receive in teaching
New York and Massachusetts have a
great many Normal Schools, and it
would be much better If we had smaller
Normal Schools in different parts of the
State, and a greater number of them,
instead of the few large Normal Schools
that we have now. The Normal School
should work in the interest of the
teacher in two ways; first, in preparing
would-be teachers for teaching; second
~, aiding those who are already teach
ing so that they could attend in vaca-
ton, and being accredited with so many
weeks would finally get a certificate
There should be three certificates, and
each one equal to the other. First, the
kindergarten certificate. This certifi-
cate should require the equivalent of a
High School education, and also the
technical reading along the lines of it's
kindergarten work.
Secondly, the primary and grammar
certificate, for elementary teaching, as
it is now called, such as is in force at
the present time in Sacramento County.
This also should require the equivalent
of a High School education in addition
TO the required pedagogical reading
and in the history of education.
Thirdly, the High School certificate
which should demand the equivalent OF
a college education and the read
ing necessary for the preparation. In
regard to the High School certificate
the applicant should be required to
pass the examination in English his
tory and mathematics, and then select
any special study that he wished to