Omaha daily bee., 1902-10-21
WHO NAY TEACH IN SCHOOLS
DUAL fcations and Manner Of Determining
Them Under Debate.
PRESENT METHOD IS NOT SATISFACTORY
Board Of Education Member say
system Vow Ip Vogue t. Wis
taken and suggest Some
Changes In Plan.

What qualifications shall constitute fit
ness to teach in the Omaha public schools,
and what test shall be applied to determine
the question Of that fitness, are two ques-
tions which presented themselves in differ
ent forms to the Board OF Education at
the meeting of that body last evening. and,
now that they have been opened, bid fair to
cause some controversy. Neither Of these
propositions was carried to a conclusion
At this meeting, but in the discussion it
was apparent that several Of the members
arc not entirely satisfied with the system
al present in practice and that sooner or
later changes will be proposed.
The first intimatlon of this feeling of
dissatisfaction came from Mr.. Wood. when
the committee on teachers and examinations
recommended that teachers certificates be
granted to four persons designated by num-
bers who had been recommended by the
examining board to receive certificates.
Mr.. Wood prefaced his remarks with the
statement that what he had to say was in
no way pertinent to this report, but as the
report had reminded him. he would with
the indulgence of the board. take this time
TO unload something he had to say on the
subject Of teachers organizations.
Believes Plan Is wrong.
. lie thOugnt the present system d MS
take, and was convinced that there must be
something seriously wrong with 1t, from
the fact that seven Of the candidates who
had taken the last examination had failed,
notwithstanding that they had been gradu-
ated from the Omaha High school. He be-
lieved that either the examination must be
too rigid or the plan must be a mistake.
The discussion became general and several
members OF the board expressed their views.
Mr.. Holman thought that the board should
be willing to accept the standard Of its W
institutions, and II was suggested that a
graduate OF the High school or the state
normal or state university should be con-
sidered qualified to teach without being sub
mitted to a scholarship examination. After
this question had been discussed for some
time II was dropped without definite action
and the report Of the committee was
adopted.
Later in the proceedings Robert Smith in
troduced a resolution to instruct the presi-
dent and secretary to communicate with the
board of, regents of the state normal school
and request that body to so modify it's
course as to permit those who had gradu-
ated from the high school to receive teach
ers' certificates after a one-year course at
he normal as formerly, instead OF requiring
.wo years attendance as provided for under
the present rules.
other for Opposition.
This resolution met with considerable OPP
position on different grounds. Mr.. Wood
in moving the reference OF the resolution
to a committee suggested that the Omaha
Board OF Education should feel somewhat
delicate about recommending to an institu-
ton such as the normal school a radical
change in its course Of study and Its rules.
The author of the resolution and several
OF the other members thought that after the
full course al the High school a one-year
course al. the normal was sufficient to sum
GENTLY qualify g teacher, while Mr.. Wood
and others believed that It would not be
wise to act hastily in so important a matter
The resolution was referred to the commit
zee on teachers and examinations.
Reform Resolution offered.
Another matter which created something
OF a stir in the board was a resolution by
w. f. Johnson. providing that the board
recommend to the incoming legislature thai
the proper steps be taken to provide fol
diverting the income from liquor licenses
and police court and other fines from tn,
support Of the public schools and to pro
vide for the support Of the schools by direct
taxation and state apportionment. Thii
resolution was referred to the judlciar!
committee.
On recommendation of the committee oil
teachers and examinations, the board di
rected that night schools be opened in tn,
Kellom and Comenius schools next Monda!
evening.
A report from the same committee sub
hitting to the board the question Of whethe
IL would be advisable at this time to ap
point a truant officer, raised some discus
sion as to the need Of such an oficer an,
the legal powers OF the board to make a.
appointment. The report was referred bacI
% the committee for a recommendation o
some sort.
Rowe Heating Contract.
Mr.. Wood. as chairman of the specis