Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1898-03-03
4 COM .UNICATlON


tWO articles-ore referring to the hiring
of teachers and the other to high school
graduates.
In the first article the writer SAYS that
here is "poicy or lack Of policy in
the choice Of teachers. IF any discrim-
ination is made it is generally to con-
slider applications in the order in which
they are made or 10 hire the teacher
with the most experience.
l do not believe there is a school
board in Woo county today that is so
ignorant as + adopt the policy of hiring
the first teacher who comes unless they
consider that one all right With refer
emce to ''experienre" I think that nine
enths of the school boards prefer eek
perienced" teachers because ''expt-
renee" has taught them that nine times
out Of ten the Inexperienced" teacher,
if he is teacher, can and does do bet
ter work than the inexperienced one.
This is true not only in teaching but
In every avocation in life. The first
question that any business man will ask
of all applicant who seeks employ yment
rience in this work?" II not, the appli-
cant is either rejected or taken on trial.
The best Workmen in any line Of bust
ness have not only the necessary amount
of theoretical knowledge but also due
proportion of practical knowledge or
experience mixed with it.
In the second article he says that the
work of the high school is three fold:
''frst, to do as much as it can towards
complete education Of those who will 90
no farther; second, to prepare teachers
for country and grade schools, and third
and last, it is preparatory school for
the university and college,"
If the work were actually carried out
as indicated all could heartily say amen.
But very many believe that this three
fold work should be reversed TO agree
with actual facts, which would place the
preparation for the university and col
lege first.
The action Of an assemblage of Wis
consln high school principals declaring
recently that "the chief defect is in the
crowding our high school courses with
grammar grade studies" would indicate
that fact
They would relegate grammar, arith.
metic, United States history and consti
tuition to the grammar school, which has
already enough work.
The writer says again that in passing
through the four year course the pupils
are apt to become rusty in the common
branches. That is true and while il
cannot always be prevented, q judicoEs
system of reviews will help to rub off
some Of the rust. The common branches
above all others are the ones that the
pupils shond not be allowed to become
rusty in, because they are the ones that
ninety nine per cent. of the people use
the most.
In regard to allowance being made at
teachers examinations III favor of grad
yates from the high schools of Wood
county, | say that would manifestly he
unjust, because il would be favoritsm
which no teacher or superintendent
ought to be guilty Of. 1t is unfortunate
that any one should recommend such
an unwise policy. It is even worse
than hiring tie first teacher who comes
The question is sometimes asked
"HOW co certain persons pass the ex-
aminatIons in order to graduate from
the high schOol?'' We think the ques-
ton is pertinent and may furnish some
food for thought Perhaps some PRO
press" might be made there by the Eek
aminers" in the "Wisconsin high
SCHOOL, that would retain in school a
year longer those "earnest," 'ambi-
tious," allowance" needing, "rusty," :"
may be caught" pupils the writer so
strongly pleads for.
The last part Of the second article TO
say the least was uncalled for and we
might say the same of both articles.
From start to finish they seem to be q
conglomeTation of insinuations No
superintendent desires to warp the
high school course-thOugh it might be
we'll to do so with some of them.
The examination questions have been,
at least half Of the time, prepared by
the state superintendent who, we pre-
sumo knows what questions teachers
ought to write on.
In conclusion let me say thatthere are
many characteristics Of the young which
sometimes affect older persons, viz:
they have day dreams as well as night
dreams; build castles in the air; like to
be seen ard heard; imagine that the
world cannot live without them; that
society owes them both position and a
living, when the real facts are that
society owes no one anything TIL he has
demonstrated the fact that he cali do
something; that he is entitled to some
thing. r. 4. HAvENoR.
The Spirit That Prompts II.
Our Free-Trade and free silver friends