The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1899-08-03
Examination OF Teachers.

The annual examination Of teachers for
State certificates will occur Friday, Au-
| gust 25, 1899.
The places at which examinations will
be held will be so arranged as far as prac-
ticable that every teacher taking the ex-
animation can leave home in the morning,
take the examination in full, and return
the evening of the same day. Public an
| nouncement of the places selected will be
, made in due season, and special notice
| thereof will be sent to all teachers regis
| terlng before August -.
The subjects in which teachers will be
examined are reading, writing, spelling,
| arithmetic, geography, English grammar,
| U. S. history, physiology and hygiene,
elementary science or nature studies,
Civic government theory and practice of
| teaching and school law.
| The certificates issued will be of four
grades and of four periods of duration.
Grade of certificate will be based on rank
IN examination, on facts stated in the Pre-
llminary Examination report which must
De lled in this department before August
10 by every teacher taking the examina-
tlon, and on statements submitted by
such persons as teachers give for refer
| ences. Duration of certificates will be
NNSSA ny ACTUAL ttdSdluS experience.
minimum rank in examination, and GER
tain facts given in the Preliminary Exam
nation report. The highest grade will
authorize the holder to teach in any Free
High or other public school for which
employed. Duration of certificates will
be for life, or for five years, three years,
or one year.
Inc advantages accruing from the pos
session of the State certificate are several
and important. First, the holder is not
required to take an annual local exa nina
ton for a local certificate. The law ex-
pressly provides that the State certificate
"shall be accepted by school committees
and superintendent in lieu of the per-
sonal examination otherwise required.
Second, these certificates are coming to
be held by school boards, not only as
evidences of the technical fitness of the
possessors, but of that quite as essential
fitness found in ambition to excel, in we'll
grounded self-reliance, and i'll personal
pride in and love for their work; for no
teacher who does not possess these i'm
portant general qualifications will take the
pains to procure a State certificate Third
the certificate in itself is the completest
and most reliable testimonial which the
possessor can present when applying for
hCN ptSllioL' VA llS lace IL SHOWS tine
rank of its holder i'll scholarship as found
by fair and impartial tests, and in profess
sional qualifications as judged by al least
two competent persons having personal
knowledge thereof. On its back it bears
complete statement OF the holder S
scholastic training, special and general
reading, teaching experience, preferences
for special lines of work, and names of
those who are her sponsors and stand
ready to recommend her. 1t furnishes,
in short, Just the evidences of All appli-
cant's 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 stimulus and guide to com
pleter preparation. Few teachers are
equally qualified in all subjects of instruc-
ton, or are not lacking i'll some essential
general qualification which it is within
their power to attain. The examination
and certificate disclose and emphasize
these defects in fitness, and few will rest
satisfied till they Lave made efforts for
their correction.
All actual or prospective teachers desir-
ing to take this examination must regis
ter on or before August IL, by forward
ing to this department complete Prelimi-
nary Examination reports, blanks fol
which will be sent on application.
W. W. STETsoN,
State Superintende mt OF Public Schools.