The record-union., 1899-12-27

central state DOarQ ana a separate
board in each of the counties of the
State. These, boards were made up
largely of teachers of more or less
prominence, and the examinations were
exclusively academic. The Importance
and necessity of methods of instruction:
brought forth that excellent little book.
! Sweets Methods"
These boards Of examination contin-
ued down to the time of the adoption
of the new Constitution in 1879, which
threatened to upset all that had been
accomplished in the way of progress,
by placing the management and con-
troll of the schools in the hands Of the
Boards of Supervisors in the various
counties. In the election that followed,
fortunately for the schools, Fred M.
Campbell was called to the Office of
Superintendent of Public Instruction.
By his wisdom, tact and untiring eff
forts, he succeeded in passing a bill
| that provided for the appointment of
! County Boards of Education, through
which Boards of Supervisors exercised
their constitutional privileges. 1t was
| fortunate for the schools, too, that the
several Boards of Supervisors recog-
nized the wisdom of the Campbell law
without questioning it's constitutional
ity. In the course of few years the
Constitution was amended making the
county board itself a constitutional
body.
Under the Constitution these County
Boards of Education, in conjunction
with County Superintendent, have con-
troll of the examination of teachers and
| the granting of teachers certificates
! within their respective jurisdictions. 1t
does not appear from the language of
this provision that the County Super
intendent is a member Of the board as
it distinctly says that County Super
intendents and the County Boards of
Education shall have Control, etc.; and
were it not for the statute which makes
the County superintendent a member
of the board, it would seem that the
people intended to give to each co-or-
dinate authority so far as the exarnlna-
ton of teachers and the granting of
teachers certificates are concerned.
Whether the statute is constitutional or
not is a question that need not be dis
cussed before this assembly.
Under the statutes, the board con-
sists of the County Superintendent and
four other members, appointed by the
Supervisors of the county. At least two
of these members must be experienced
teachers, holding at least a grammar
| grade certificate. (This might be
amended with profit to the efficiency of
the board) Regular and special meet
ings are provided for, and the County
| Superintendent is made Secretary,
which makes him practically the execu-
| tive officer of the board. It is within
the power of the board to adopt rules
and regulations not inconsistent with
law for its own government and for
the examination of teachers; to exam
inc applicants for teachers certificates;
to prescribe a standard of proficiency
emitting an applicant to a certificate;
to grant certificates valid for specified
time, and giving the holder the legal
right to teach in certain grades OF
schools or teach certain special
branches; to adopt a list of library
books. and school apparatus; to revoke
certificates for cause; to issue diplomas
of graduation from the public schools
of the county except in certain cases;
to prescribe and enforce the use of a
uniform system of text books. and a
uniform course of study; to provide for
the promotion of pupils by written esS.
aminations or otherwise chat "other-
wise" is exceedingly importantly; to
grant without examination certificates
of different grades to the holders of
certain specified credentials; to renew
unexpired certificates. and to recon-