The Saint Paul globe., 1899-07-07
EXAMS FOR TEACHERS
SUPERINTENDENT LEWIS PRE-
PAIRING TO ACT UNDER THE
NEW LAW
FOR ISSUING CERTIFICATES
Substance of "a Circular Which Gives
Detailed Information on This
Subject-A Strict Set of Rules
Drawn Which Will Be Applied to
Examinations How Different
Studies Count

The new state law made by the last leg
islature, providing for the state certifica-
ton Of teachers, upon examination and
otherwise, through the office of the state
superintendent of public instruction,
goes into effect the first of next month.
In order that all the educators OF the
state, to whom it is of vital Importance,
may know it's full provisions and effect
State Superintendent Lewis yesterday is
sued a circular which gives detailed in
formation and instruction to all inter-
ested. The gist Of Mr.. Lewis communi-
cation is as follows
f.State high. school certificates which
show standing of not less than 75 per
cent will be accepted in lieu of examina-
tions in senior arithmetic, senior geogra-
ply, senior grammar, senior history of
the United States, algebra, civil govern
ment, plane geometry physical geegra-
ply and natural philosophy; provided
that no such certificates shall be accepted
If presented more than year later than
the day the last certificate was received
by the candidate-unIess the candidate
has taught a year since receipt of last
high school certificate. The Law does
not permit the acceptance Of standings
from normal schools, colleges, ETC., in
lieu of examinations. 1t Is to be espe-
ciaIly noted that it is not certificates in
the preliminary or grammar school sub
jects, but in senior subjects alone that
can be accepted Certificates offered in
lieu of examinations must be forwarded
to the state superintendent by the Coun-
ty superintendent, in the same package
which contains the papers written by the
candidates.
''The clause of the law providing for
the certification of teachers without ex-
aminatiens was intended only for teach
ers having had five years experience at
the time the law goes into effect, Aug. 1,
1899. Therefore only those teachers hav-
ing five years experience prior to Aug.
1, 1899, can apply for a certificate under
section 9, chapter 101, Laws of 1899. Such
teachers must make their application
prior to Aug. 1. 1900.
Certificates without examination will
not be issued to any applicant who does
not meet the conditions named in the su-
perintendent's rules Each applicant
must address his application for certif-
icate to the state superintendent, stating
that he has taught five years in the pub
lie schools Of Minnesota, and that he has
taught two consecutive years of the five
in the same district, naming the district.
The candidate must accompany his appu-
cation with a certified transcript from
the proceedings of a meeting of the board
of education or trustees of the district
in which he has taught, to the effect that
he has rendered the service stated and
that he has had exceptional success in
teaching and government. He must also
have q similar statement from the cOun-
ty or city superintendent.
applicants for first grade certificates
who pass in eleven or more subjects in
cluding those mentioned of the scholastic
examinations, and applicants for second
grade certificates who pass in eight or
more subjects including those mentioned
may be credited with such subjects and
may be allowed to finish at the next
public examination. If the examinations
are not satisfactorily completed upon two
trials all standings will be Cancelled. No
certificate will be issued to a candidate
until he has passed in every subject re-
Quired by law"
In the list Of rules provided for exam
nations for Minnesota state certificates,
Supt. Lewis says: I'm so far as the
great body OF Minnesota teachers is con-
cerned there IS no need of rules and
regulations to prevent dishonesty and
cheating at a teachers examination All
teachers worthy to be called such recog-
niZe that the teacher more than any other
person in the community must be honest,
of good repute and above suspicion To
protect worthy and deserving teachers,
to prevent unworthy ones from getting
into the ranks and to prevent any false
acquisition or suspicion attaching to any
examiner or eXaminee the following rules
and regulations are hereby adopted and
they must be strictly observed" " Here Mr..
Lewis gives twenty rules, among them
rule providing that examinations shall
begin in each county on the first Friday
in February and the first Monday in
August and shall continue two days.
Every county superintendent of schools
shall give at least ten days notice of each
public examination by publication in the
of the county, and by the
posting of the usual notices. The exami-
nations may be held at school houses
which law requires shall be furnished
free.
Rule 4 instructs the examiner not to
offer any explanation or comment what
ever on the questions or the meaning of
the same. Not even to explain a typo
graphical error in the quest!cns. All pa.
pers are to be forwarded to the depart