Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1903-07-14

The following circular giving In
formation concerning the annual eX-
animation of teachers for State certifi-
Gates has been issued by the education
a! department:
The places at which the examination
will be held, about thirty in number,
will be so arranged, rs far as practical
BILE, 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. Definite selection of places and
public announcements OF them, will be
made August 10, and special notice
thereof will be sent to all persons
registering before that date.
The subjects in which candidates will
be examined are Reading, Writing,
Spelling. Arithmetic, Geography, Eng
lish Grammar, u. S. History, Physiol-
ogy and Hygiene, Elementary Science
or Nature Studies, Civil 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
the Preliminary Examination, report of
which must be filed in this department
before August 10. by every teacher taxi
Ing the examination, and on state
ments submitted by such persons as
teachers give for references. Duration
of certificates will be determined by
actual teaching experience, minimum
rank in examination. and certain facts
given in the Preliminary Examination
reports The highest grade will all
thorize the holder to teach in any free
high or other public school for which
employed; the other grades, to teach in
any common school for which en-
pIoyed Duration of certificates will be
for life, or for five years, three years,
or one year.
Candidates who are college gradu-
ates or graduates from college
preparatory course or It's equiva-
lent in first class academy
or high school and whose average
rank Is 80 and whose rank in any sub
ject is not less than 20, will receive
certificate of the highest grade. Others
who are not graduates as above but
whose rank is exceptionally high, who
can teach high school subjects includ-
ing at least one ancient and one mod
ern language, and who have taught
successfully in high schools, may re-
ceive a certificate of highest grade. For
the second grade an average rank of 50
at least and no lower rank than 20
must be attained. For the third grade
an average rank of 20 with none below
so is required. All candidates whose
rank In any subject is less than so and
in none less than So, will receive Il
certificate of the fourth grade.
The advantages accruing from the
possession of the State Certificate are
several and important. First, the hold
err is not required to take an annual To-
ca! examination for a local certificate.
The law expressly provides that the
State Certificate shall be accepted by
school committees and superintendent
in lieu of the personal examination and
certification'' otherwise required. Sc
ond. these certificates are coming to be
held by school boards, not only as evil
dences 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 in per-
sonal pride in and love for their work:
for no teacher who does not possess
these important general qualifications
will take the pains to procure a State
Certificate. Third, the certificate in it,
self is a complete and the most reliable
testimonial which the possessor can
present when applying for new posi-
ton. On it's face it shows the rank of
its holder in scholarship as found by
fair and impartial tests. and in profess
sional qualifications as judged by at