The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1898-05-14
TEACHERS HARD At WORK.
COUNTY EXAMINATIONS IN FULL
SWING ar THE Court HOUSE.


finding 1t pretty warm work In the upper
story OF the court house trying to solve
a list Of questions embracing such inter-
esting subjects as geography, English lit-
erature. grammar, its theory and prac-
tiee. the State school law and the constl-
tuition OF the United States. The Ques-
tons cover a multitude Of facts and are
propounded IN the regular quarterly ex-
animation OF teachers.
The examinations are being conducted
by County superintendent OF Schools
". J. Meredith, assisted by Mr.. E. H.
Stafford. superintendent Of the Ballard
schools. OF the seventy-five candidates
for certificates all save ten are women.
They include teachers In the first, second
and third grades OF the public schools.
What Is joint d.strict?" Is the first
question under the head OF state school
Law and constitution. 1t is followed by this
interrogatory: What judicial functions
are performed by the superintendent OF
public Instruction.
The school law passed by the last legis-
lature. known as the Lusher bill, was the
most voluminous document considered by
the legislature during the session, 50 that
1t is plain that IL the applicants for certi-
fcates answer all OF the questions under
this head they must have done some pretty
tall reading.
Under the direction OF Mr. Stafford and
Mr.. Meredith the candidates receive their
lists of questions. printed on little slips
OF paper, and sit down at tables arranged
in the room usually occupied by the grand
jury. to answer them. All types OF school
teachers are there. The comedy school
marm." in light summer dress and curls
that cluster about her brow is much in
evidence, so also is the instructress OF
the youth OF the state whose years Of ex-
perience are evidenced by her poise and
self-command under the trying ordeal Of
the examination.
Certificates In the second and third
grades are renewed once a year after ex-
animation. Those In the first grade are is
sued for i've years and are usually re-
newed without the necessity Of an ex-
animation. A small percentage OF the
seventy-five candidates who are taking
the examinations have never yet
possessed the greatly desired certificate
which enables them to teach in the public
schools OF the state. Others failed to ae-
cumulate the necessary number OF points
TO their credit at the last examination aud,
after weeks spent In hard study. forth
fed by determination to succeed this
time. are striving In the commendabie en-
deavor to answer all OF the questions put
to them and to walk proudly OFF the field
victors Of the day.
To the uninitiated the questions in some
OF the subjects seem formidable enough
to strike terror to the hearts OF the most
astute and learned pedagogue. For ex-
ample, this question In history Is one that
Involved a comprehensive and detailed
knowledge of the history OF our country
without regard to the twelve other ques-
tons under this subject:
Give the boundary OF the United States
at the close of the revolutionary war: ac-
count for the subsequent acquisition Of
territory. How? When?
Here is another under the same head
ing: what purpose is there In determine
Ing the population OF the United States ev.
cry ten years?'
A question OF international law in IN
volved In this interrogatory under the
head OF geography: Where are the Phil
| ippine Islands? To whom do they be-
long?"
There is no presumtion under the rules
OF the examinations that the lady and
gentlemen applicants for certificates shall
hasten to consult the Observation-Disclosures
war bulletins from Manila before answer
| Ing this question. It Is equally probable
| that an answer that the question is now
matter IN dispute between this country
and Spain would hardly be passed as cor
rect.
Here are some questions in physiology:
"What IL appendicitis ana how caused %
what different elements are found In
| the human body?''
"Give complete process Of smelling"
The examinations will conclude today.
| The subjects will be algebra, physics and
| English literature.