The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1899-11-09

Rule Which President NorthrOp
and Professor KiehIe Do Not Like.
but Will Probably he Compelled
to Accept - Higher Qualifications
Demanded of Their Graduates.
The position of the high school board
In regard to teachers who have been
taught the art of teaching at the state
university Ia the first time on record
where the state university has not been
allowed to run things as it pleased. a
brief controversy between the board and
the department Of pedagogy at the uni
versity has settled the attitude Of the
board on this question.
Some time ago 1t was discovered that
the trustees of several high schools in
the state had employed for principals of
their schools graduates of normal schools
in this and other states. who had not pur-
sued the study of certain subjects as
far as these subjects are pursued In
ordinary high school work. To prevent
this, and to establish beyond question the
standard of Minnesota teachers, the
board adopted rule which emphatically
declares that
1.-THE superintendent and high school
instructors shall hold professional state
certificates of the frst-Class. These GER
tificates are issued by the state superin-
tendent of public instruction on the ba-
sis Of written examination, or upon the
presentation Of diploma from an instt-
tuition of higher learning, as provided in
section 8749 Of the General Statutes Of 1894.
To obtain a professional state certificate
candidates must have taught with sue
cess in the state for at least one year.
All candidates not graduates Of a full
four. years college course adjudged equal
to that of the University of Minnesota
by examination only"
There was from several sources a de-
cided objection to this rule and the board
has been besieged to modify It's ruling.
One Of the most interested persons has
heen DIR. Kiehle, professor Of pedagogy
at the university 1t is we'll understood
that the University Of Minnesota cannot
afford to have any Of It's diplomas dis
credited by any law. Its certificates must
be good for any school in the state be-
yond question. In order to maintain this
inviolability Of diploma ole OF two things
was necessary: Either the board must
recede from its position, or the university
abolish its :wo-year pedagogical course
With this in mind DR.. Kiehle addressed
the following letter to the board:
apolis, Oct. Is, 1S99.-To the State High
School Board Hon. J. H. Lewis, secre-
o me BY hose SR e
err persons holding university teachers
certificates are legally qualified and az.
s school With this inquiry has come also
the statement that it has been the de-
cision of the state high school board that
they are not unless they meet S otn f4 cor
the university not less than four years.
With a view of determining the pres
ent situation under the law. ana not to to
made, permit me to submit the follow
Sing for your consideration:
I. The university teachers certificate
by law is made a certificate Of the first
grade and entities the holder to teach in
any public school in the state, and by a
necessary implication 1t authorizes any
2. I do not find any rule of the state
board which has for its purpose to limit
or in any way to affect the force-of this
The rule to which have been referred
treats Of methods and conditions under
which the state superintendent will issue
frst-grade certificates under the law:
3. So far as I have been acquainted
with the policy of this board relating to
certificates, it has been to prevent the
whose certificate did. not fairly cover the
subjects to be taught.
Even this has been g. very liberal In
depreciation of a very general authority
ing the ADMINISTRATION Of the high
schools Vid. School Laws, sections 165,
I do not see how by any possible inter
effect annul the legal force of certificates,
foP high ' School Work. Sui more ~ DIFF
fcult would 1t be to discriminate, recog-
nizing some as valid and others as in
valid.
4. suggest that If the preparation
given by the university in any Of it's
courses seems to be Inadequate, that it
Withhold Certificates from those not pre-
pared It would certainly be more agree
able to the university to do this than to
have its certificates discounted or repu-
Let me assure you, gentlemen, that
rather than hinder in any way a policy
high schools 1 am in fullest sympathy
with it, and shall be always ready to
recommend any practicable, change or
Improvement that such q policy requires.
Violation of rights which are recognized
by the. statute. Very respectfully,
D L, Kiehle, Professor of Pedagogy.
Gov. Lind, after comforting with Supt.
Lewis, sent the following reply to DR..
Kiehle:
D. L. Kiehle, Esq, Professor Of Peda-
gogy,- University OF Minnesota, Mime
cation of the 28th ult, addressed to Hon;
J. H Lewis, secretary Of the high school
board, has been by that gentleman hand
The rule adopted by the state high
school board, to which you take excep-
ton. reads as follows: "Superientendents
and high school instruct Us shall hold a
professional state certificate of the first
grade"
These certificates are issued by the
state superintendent on basis Of writ
ten examination, or upon presentation Of
diploma from an institution of high
learning, as provided in section 3,749 Of
Statutes of 1894.
TO obtain a professional state certif-
cate candidates must have taught with
success in the state at least one year.
Candidates not graduates OF the full
four-year college course, adjudged equal
to that of the University of Minnesota,
may obtain professional state certificates
by examination only. This regulation
does not apply to superintendent and
high instructors who have had success
viods to adoption Of these regulations.
Under the above rule graduates of the
pedagogical department of the State
University of Minnesota who have taken
from teaching in state high schools.
The regular graduates who have taken
the four years course are not excluded.
The purpose of this rule Is to hold our
high schools to @ high standard of eff
cheney; and, in view of the rule adopted
by the board and the regulations admit
ting graduates of high schools to the
state university without examination, 1t
is the Imperative duty of this board to
maintain g. high scholastic standard in
only by securing, as instructors scholar
ly men and women, who have themselves
taken an extensive course of study in
the subjects they are required to teach
fected by permitting the employment OF
teachers who have pursued the high