New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-03-17
LETTERS FROM THE PEOPLE,
DIscoURAGING COLLEGE EDUCATION.

THE STATES DISCRIMINATION AS TO TEACHERS
~ FAVOR OF NORMAL SCHOOL GRADUATES.
To the Editor Of The Tribune
Sir: The educational system OF the State Of New
York IL double-header its colleges being under
the Of the Regents. the normal and public
schools being under the Department Of Public In
struction. which latter through It's Superlnten-
dent. licenses teachers.
In 1894 bill introduced giving graduates Of
colleges approved by the Regents license 10 teach.
which was antagonized and defeated by the Super
lntendent This bill was submitted by the writer to
the college presidents OF the State. only
heartily approved. but was regarded as matter OF
simple Justice
statement NJ the will show this 10 he true.
graduate Of grammar school may enter tho
Normal School and after a three years course re-
ceive life license teach The only essential
difference in the course pursued between this course
and that in the high schools in the State is the
study in the normal OF methods and practice for
part. Of the last year.
One graduate the high school and study
four years more in college 10 he graduated. but tho
State Will not license him 70 teach. He must
ter examination with primary teachers. and bs
examined I'm grammar-school studies II he were
to teach in the primary department. and then get
n certificate for six months 10 be then again ex-
amined for second grade for year and that In
studies IN the lower grades Of schools. After he
has taught three years the Superintendent may. on
application. give him a certificate for life. The
Righteousness OF this will be further apparent
when one considers that the college graduate
teaches Greek and Latin and other high school
studies. superintendent principal
Nor is that the OF the The State
provides under the department for teachers train
ing classes be taught by teachers OF high schools
who may be graduates in which for one years
study students from grammar school. at the age
Of eighteen, may receive license 70 teach
which practically amounts 10 life license. X
this be discouragement Of college education and
rank injustice Ne know not how better 70 call II
Besides this. the college man educates himself Tor
higher work at his own expense. while the state.
with large outlay for buildings, and large an
nual outlay for teachers. gives free instruction in
the normal schools and training classes.
We are not antagonlzing normal schools but be-
ieye in them and glory IN their s work IN raising
ask for justice for the colleges.
1t will be said that colleges do not give technical
is valuable but there are other methods OF value,
which have given us most OF our teachers -, IN our
schools The best way to learn to teach Is I"
teach.
At one end OF a slab bench and a student al the
other To see him teach and be taught by him was
The college graduate the best methods OF
the best teachers He gains that discipline which
will enable him to teach any branch Of study, and
TO make and work out MS own METHODS And nc
course cannot give and il also maturer In age and
experience. Many graduates are feeling the need
OF the college and regret when too late that they
did not go to college. and many are taking specieI
courses In college
II is absurd for the State 20 refuse 70 give GER
tihcate to college graduate. The state II vitaiy
Interested In giving the highest possible education,
in educating the top in ablest leaders The present
Governor Of the State is specimen OK what me
college does 10 prepare man for the highest posi-
tons. He would be a great man without the coll
lege but Is far greater for Il.
The writer has been for many years on the Cons
mittee Of the Synod OF New-York for Elmra COLI
lege and has been forced to see the enect OF tne
system referred TO In the large number or young
women ne has who have been turned nom
the college 10 the normal school that they might
get life license 10 teach. He has also met inc
same influences at work among young men.
IL is high time the State Of New-York ceased 10
discourage cole education In this way. anc 10
humillate college graduates. Let US hope for q
better fate for Mr. Hatchs bill than met with in
1851 . W. fhAli
Campbell n Y. March 10. 1899.