The Telegraph-courier. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1888-1946, 1901-02-14

death or marriage. Under no circum-
stances will anyone be certifcated
unless such certificate be based upon
an examination. A superintendent
may limit third grade to any period
under year. Such are called limited
third grades. A few such have been
issued, since the best interests of the
schools demanded such action. In the
future, the issuance of such certificates
will be avoided whenever possible.
Permits are unlawful, therefore none
have been issued by the present
County Superintendent.
No one can teach subject unless he
has full knowledge and grasp of the
he can teach; if it is in him to teach at
all. An examination determines,
mostly, the candidates knowledge of
books and subjects. Many very inn
portant essentials needed to make
successful teacher are not found out at
examinations.
Now, the best way to improve our
public schools is to improve the teach
ers. There's an old saying and a very
| true one that Gas is the teacher, so is
the school," The Superintendent has
great power to improve the teacher by
means of we'll conducted examina
tons. The questions and tests should
| be fair and modern. They should in
dictate clearly what ought to be taught
in the public schools. The examiner
should avoid giving the o1d-time, stale
puzzles and conundrums in arithmetic
and grammar. Given straight, fair
tests and it follows that high average
should be required. In Kenosha
county the minimum and average are
as high as in any other county in Wis
consin. Were it otherwise our county
would be invaded by those unable to
gain certificates in the surrounding
counties. We welcome good talent
from abroad. Such people bring in
new ideas and infuse new blood. The
same potatoes, planted in the same
ground year after year, will soon run
out. Lowering the standard may in
crease the number of teachers, but de-
creases the quality.
GRADUATION FROM THE COMMON
SCHOOLS.
Sixty-eight pupils wrote at the two
diploma examinations, of whom forty
one received diplomas. It is much to
be regretted that so many immature
pupils wish to leave the country school
in order to attend some one of the city
schools. In many cases such young
people could gain very much by at
tending the home school. After fairly
mastering the tests for graduation,
as set forth in the Wisconsin Manual,
then the High school or the Private
school might reasonably follow.
Most of the County Superintendent
in Wisconsin think it best to person
ally manage the diploma examina-
tions. It would seem as though such
work more properly belongs to the
Superintendent rather than to the
teachers. Last spring it was tried in
this county. There were good results.
Some claim that the children are in
convenienced and made nervous. The
same objections are brought against
teachers examinations.
Great use is made of oral examina-
ton, since it tests a persons ability to
teach and also his power of thinking
readily.
h.. THINGS RECOMMENDED.
1. That School Boards buy no maps,
charts, globes or school apparatus
without first consulting with the State
Superintendent or the County Super
intendent. See School Laws, Sec.
436.
Much money is thrown away in buy
ing worthless stuff. Reading charts
have very, very little value. Capable
primary teachers make little, If any,
use of such things. Better invest the
same money in buying two or three
sets of first readers, the same of sec
ond readers, etc.
2. That each district furnish free
text books. For facts and arguments:
see last years report.
3. That districts having a very
small enrolment, suspend the district
school for such time as they may deem
expedient and provide for the trans
portation of the pupils to another
school, as provided for by Sec. 43O,
paragraphs 1916 of the School Laws.
4. That no more International Die
tionaries be bought, but the Collegiate
or Academic instead.
INSTITUTES AND TEACHERS MEETINGS.
The annual institute was held at
| Wi mot comm erc;r1a the 00fb Of Ar.