Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1899-06-27
STATE TEACHERS EXAMINATIONS.
Superintendent Stetson Announces the Date
as Friday. August rs.

ne annual examination of teachers
Tor State certificates will occur Friday
August Is, 50 Superintendent W. w
Stetson announces through a circular be
ing sent out from the department, this
week.
Prof. Stctson says:
ne places at which examinations will
pc hcld' VIII he so arranged as far rs
practicable that every teacher taking the
examination can leave home i'm The
morning, take the examination in fun.
and return the evening of the same dav
Fuplc announcement of the places Sc
lCcted VIII be made in due season ana
special notice thereof will be sent TO all
teachers registering before August Is
me subjects in which teachers will he
cAainlhed are reading, writing, spelling.
arithmetic, geography, English gram
mar, U. S. history, physiology and Nv
gene elementary science or nature
studies, civil government. theory and
practice Of teaching, and school law
Inc certificates issued will be of four
grades ana OF four periods Of duration
Grade of certificate will be passed on rank
IN examination, on facts stated in the
preliminary examination report which
must be filed i'll this department before
August 10, by every teacher taking the
examination, and on statements submit
TED by such persons as teachers give for
references; Duration Of certificates will
be determined by actual teaching eXpe-
rlcnce, minimum rank in eXamina ton
and certain facts given in the prelmi-
nary examination reports. The highest
grade VIII authorize the holder to teach
IN any free high or other public school
for which employed; the other grades
10 teach III any common school for which
employed. Duration Of certificates will
be tor life, or for five years, three years,
or one year. -
The advantages acci'uiEg from the pos
session of the Stale certificate are sew
erai and important. First, the holder is
~ gT YI..aI a ia D n
animation for q local certificate. The
law expressly provides that the ,State
certificate shall be accepted by school
committees and superintendents in lieu
of the personal examination otherwise
required. Second, these certificates are
coming 70 be held by school boards, not
only as evidences 0f the technical fitness
of the pOSSesSOrS, but Of that quite as
essential fitness found in ambition to
excel, in well grounded Sclf-rcliance- an
in personal pride in and love for their
work; Tor no teacher who does not pos
SeSS these important general Qualifica-
uons will take the pains Il procure
State certificate. Third, tie certificate
in itself is the complctcst and most re-
liable testimonial which the pOssessor
can present when applying for a new
position. on its face il shows the rank
of it's holder in scholarship as found by
fair ANA impartial tests, and in pruffS-
siouaI qualifications as judged by 'at
least two competent persons having per
Soual knowledge thereof. On its back il
bears a complete statement Of the hold
cr's scholastic training, special ana gen
crdl reading. teaching experience. pref
crcnccs for special lines of work, and
names of those who are her sponsors
and stand ready to recommend her. II
furnishes, in short, just the evidences uf
mn applicants fitness which intelligent
school boards wish to have. Fourth. in
most cases and to teachers Of the right
spirit the examination and certificate
gained will serve as a stimulus and
guide - completer preparation. Few
teachers are equally qualified in all sub
jncts of instruction, on are not lacking
in some essential general qualification
which il is within their power to attain.
The examination and certificate disclose
AMI emphasize these defects in fitness,
ana few will rest satisfied till they have
made efforts for their correction.
All actual Or prospective teachers dc-
string To take this examination must reg
lister. on or before August Is, by forward
ing to this department complete prellIn-
mary examination reports. blanks fOr
which will be sent on application.