The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1903-04-12
PUBLIC |. SCHOOLS.
Some Criticisms and Practical Hints by
an Experienced Z eacher.

al CoSt'C'
Your letter asking me to say something
in the cause Of the public schools OF our
State calls to my mind an examination
paper handed me some years ago by one
OF the superintendents. The paper was
that of q teacher, who had been connect
ed with school tor some years, and his
certificate having expired. he presented
himself for re-examination. One OF the
called "rhe OLD Dominion? The fol-
lowing answer was written by the afore-
said teacher: Vi "Either for a celebrated
brand OF flour or The Old Dominion
Steamship Company. have forgotten
which,"
Speaking OF examinations leads me to
say that am persuaded that the pres
ent system Of the examination of teachers
is not the best method OF ascertain1ng
their fitness to be educators. How much
a person knows, who proposes being @
teacher rs important as it is, is not as
important as his ability toSexplain. and
to impart that which he does know.
Therefore. It seems to me. that It Is
better to ask: What explanation would
you give pupil Of such and such q
problem" "What method would you
write out in teaching such and such q
lesson In the II history " OF Literature?"
"How would you explain the relau onship
existing between such and such parts OF
speech In this sentence 2" and SO on. Then
to give the problem to be solved. the sem
tence to be parsed or the questions on
literature and history to be answered,
The matter OF the selection OF superln-
tendents is a grayer one than the public
seems to be aware Of. The position Of
district or city superintendent should be
invested with professional dignity and
ability A superintendent ought to be
q man OF parts. q college-bred man, and
we'll bred at that-one who Is a practical
educator. capable OF offering suggestions
to teachers as to the best and most adj
jvanoed methods Of instruction. Execu-
tive and business ability, as necessary as
they are, are insufficient qualifications
for a successful superintendent. In an
swer to q question put to a young lady as
to the public schools in her town. she re-.
piled 1.-THE principal OF one OF our schools
\ had to take the superlntendency because
there was no one else, and the improve
ment In the schools has been remarkable,
After awhile our schools WIN pc the pest
in the state" AS a matter Of fact 1t Is
we'll known that the SUPPLEMENTARY OF
schools la often sought for, and by means
Of a pull secured by men out OF employ
ment and held as a Job until something
better Is secured.
It would be impossible to Imagine the
difference In pupils coming from the IL
ilinois State schools and those from other
publIo schools, without having both In
classes as has the writer, The Illinois
States schools are under the Influence of
President Harper. of the Chicago Unl-
yersIty. An Intelligent woman, whose
children attend m Illinois public school,
Is my authority for saying that President
Harpeh has worked untirlngly In behalf
of the illinois schools and he Ia practically
the observation-disclosures Superintendent Alas!
for Virginia, there Is no Harper here.
wish to preface my remarks In regard
to teachers by saying that my strongest
feeling for them Is one Of deep sympathy
They work under many disadvantages
tons nut while this 10 true, 1t must
also be borne I'm mind that many of tho
his that teachers are heir to arise from
their disqualifl flea tons for the work. There