The Somerset reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1868-1909, 1899-07-06

The places at which examinations will
be held will be so arranged as far as
practicable that every teacher taking
the examination can leave home in the
morning, take the examination in full.
and return the evening Of the same day.
! Public announcement of the places
selected will be made in due season and
special notice thereof will be sent to all
teachers registering before August 10.
The subject in which teachers will be
examined are reading, writing, spelling,
arithmetic, geography, English gram
mar. |. :. History, physiology and
hygiene, elementary science or nature
studies, civil government, theory and
practice of teaching and school law.
The certificates issued will be of four
grades and of four periods of duration.
Grade of certificates will be based on
rank in examination, on facts stated in
the preliminary examination report
which must be filed in this department
before August 10, by every teacher TAX
! ing the examination, and on statements
submitted by such persons as teachers
give for references. Duration of certif-
Gates will be determined by actual teach
! ing experience. minimum given in the
preliminary examination reports. The
highest grade will authorize the holder
to teach in any free high or other public
school for which employed; the other
grades, to teach in any common school
for which employed. Duration of GER
titicates will be for life, or for five years,
three years, or one year.
The advantages accruing from the
possession of the State certificate are
several and important. First, the hold
er is not required to take an annual local
examination for local certificate. The
law expressly provides that the State
certificate "shall be accepted by school
committees and superintendent in lieu
of the personal examination" otherwise
required. Second, these certificates are
coming to be held by school boards, not
only az evidences of the technical fitness
of the possessors but of that quite as
essential fitness found in ambition to
excel, in well grounded self-reianee, and
in personal pride in and love for their
work; for no teacher who does not
possess these Important general qualiti-
cations will take the pains to procure a
State certificate. Third, the certificate
in itself is the completest and most
reliable testimonial which the possessOr
Nah piOoOhu WIN" applying iol a HVN
position. On its face it shows the rank
of the holder in scholarship as found by
fair and impartial tests. and in profes-
sional qualifications as judged by at least
two competent persons having personal
knowledge thereof. On its back com
plete statement Of the holders scholastic
training, special snd general reading
teaching experience, preferences for
special lines of work, and names of
those who are her sponsors and stand
ready to recommend her, 1t furnishes
in short. Just the evidences of an appli-
cant's fitness which intelligent school
boards wish 10 have. Fourth, in most
csses and to teachers of the right spirit
the examination and certificate gained
will serve as stimulus and guide to
complete preparation. Few teachers
are equally qualified in all subjects of
instruction, or are not lacking in some
essential general qualification which it
is in their power to attain. The examin-
alton and certificate disclose and empha-
size these defects in fitness and few will
rest satisfied till they have made efforts
for their correction.
All actual or prospective teachers de-
string to take this examination must
register on or before August 10, by for
warding to this department complete
preliminary examination reports, blanks
for which will be sent on application.
w. w. STETsoN.
State Superintendent of Public Schools.