The Weekly Tallahasseean., 1901-09-05
****&******+*@***@44 Observation-Disclosures
Suggestions to Grading Committees.

:
EDUCATIONAL DEPARTMENT. STATE OF FLORIDA,
TALLAHASSEE ...:......, lSO..
To the Grading Committee:
The present require the State Superintendent
to issue instructions Grading Committees yet sugge
gestions may prove helpful to you.
Your appointment endorses you among the capable
discreet pans-takng and rghheaed teachers of your
county you measure to this standard you but be
jealous OF the honor of profession and courageous enough
to exclude large number of the less than seek
ing to enter for brief period and mainly for personal benefit
being OF this mind the rights and interest of the children
the States future czensw be safe in your hands, and no
suggestions necessary further than direct your
to methods that may expedite your work.
You doubtless realize the great honor conferred by your
appointment and the wehy responsibility placed upon you
guardians of the profession your county Neither the
State Superintendent who prepares the questions the County
Superintendent who performs the routine work of the exam
nation, the School Board that exercises its admin
lstraVe functions performs delicate responsible
task than do you who upon the qualifications of the
teachers w above all Others determine the real value of the
schools link in the chain of greater value than
other, you are that link.
You amply protected in faithful and fearless discharge
of your important trust you supposed know
whose papers grading the personnel of your committee
is unknown and you freed from outside PRESSURE mpo
tuny official influence charges of partay, any sinister
accusation The responsibility OF the examination wisely
distributed the Questioning examining and grading offices
separate and distinct and charges of paray fall harm
lessly among the three agencies
Your part of the work supremey VITAL and should be
entered upon with careesess but with single motive do
absolute justice to all nterethe exsminee the children
and the State 1t is no of whether the County
Board will be put to the necessity of hunting other teachers
but your duty guard well the portals your profession
and the Of the children exercising the discretion lodged
with you determining the qualifications of those who shall
mould mind and character
Enclosed herewith the answers to questions in
the mathematical branches but look well into the method of
solution in every this is really important than
the problem. Mere in mathematics may
perhaps count for nothing except well used opportunity to
copy
On other subjects the will usually vary in form, and
hence their value be determined upon BY yourselves
On each list of questions will be found ample instructions
the number of credits be given each answer
the value of any partially you must be your
judge In all your work your Committee may have free
use OF all such books need for guidance and
instruction
When the author any paper recognized by your
number, such enjoned communicate the fact
to the others of the Committee that their part at least
he grading of the papers may be without bias for in spite
Of yourselves when the author of paper known you
not avoid inclination grade in accordance with your
preconceived notions of the authors ability.
You also enjoined refuse allow any individual
member to grade any entire set of papers of examinee
to allow half of set be graded would be
sive concession
Your labors may be expedited greatly by allowing one
member of the Committee grade all papers upon any
subject But the Committee whole should grade pa
per on each subject and agree nearly possible upon what
should be accepted the correct to each question: the
paper thus graded and marked with the per cent being used
standard for other papers upon the subject In any
of doubt each member should consult the Others By
the plan proposed the papers 40 examines have been
isfactoy graded thirty hours But this plan adopted
advisable that should be kept among yourselves
who graded any particular subject paper.
It hardly necessary call your attention to the
that have been circulated in regard Grading Commit
tees namey that they appointed and instructed do
the work certain designing officials prescribed put
job on the State But superfuous caution those of
your standing against allowing yourselves to be made the tools
of contemplate schemer be he officer private citizen
Certainly body composed Of three Of the most reputable
teachers of any county the State could be found that would
violate high trust committed to them who would sub
NIT to the insult implied in attempt them for selfish
nefarious purposes.
At any rate will not be am remind you that in per-
forming your duty honestly Grading Committee, like
jury you amenabe to none save the law
science and your God Be true to yourselves and the chill
dren of the State and all the years of your life you
will regret having followed these instructions faithfully
and well.
Yours truly,
VIM. n. SHEATS,
dantR Rnh Instrnc