The Birmingham age-herald., 1905-07-23
EDUCATION |S
 ON SAFER BASIS Examination Papers Have Made
 Good Showing SCHOOL DAYS ARE IDEAL 
More Are Needed, However, to Make Service Really Effectlve-Coun- ty Superlntendents Should
 Be Elected by Boards.

Montgomery, July 2.-tspecial)- )-There are many things just now to indicate that the educational conditions of the state are getting on a safer basis, and to prove that there Is being built up all the time a better tone in the teaching ideas and the teachers who are serving espeei- ally the country schools. So far noth- ing has been discovered to suggest that there was any cheating in the July ex- aminations; neither has there been so many low records in the papers of ap- plicants as has heretofore been the case. Among those who are rejected are many who now hold certificates but are trying to secure a higher grade These are, therefore still teaching while struggling all the time to become more proficient
 Secretary William F. Feagin of the state board of examiners said today that he has looked over the work of applicants from eighteen counties where the July exam nations were held and had graded the papers of six hundred. Very few, he says, fall under the fifty per cent needed to have their papers considered, though there are many who do not make the necessary average of 75 per cent to pass the examinations. In other words a re- cord of 50 per cent must be made in every study, and an average of 10 in the whole When the papers all run above 50 per cent it means that they have gone over the same as others, even though they may not get the certificates desired
 Many of the teachers who are struggling to get better grades and fail keep right on at work and try again at the next ex- animation. Several who could not get through in July are now at the summer school of the State University at Tusca loosa and will try again on July 29 and 31, and August 1, when the examinations All who entered the summer school prior to July II will be entitled to take the ex- aminations. The school closes July 2S.
 Better Class of Teachers.
 MT. Feagin seems to think that there is better showing all along the line with those who apply for the positions of teachers in the schools of the state. They certainly class up better and seem more than ever to realize that there is some thing more in teaching than the mere salary secured from 1t. The negroes are making better impression, though there are some of the counties where there are not enough negro teachers to take care of the demand The department has passed on and given certificates to 3450 teachers since the beginning of January. 1904.
 There has come this summer fewer de- mands for tRehers from the county sup erintendent education, which would seem to iIldleate that the supply is all most adequate to the demand. In Win ston county where all those who passed in January, 1905, were turned down be- cause of cheating, there were twelve to take the examinations this year and ten passed, showing that the shaking up did them good.
 It is not generally appreciated, but 1t Is a fact that there are some ideal school laws in Alabama, and while others are greatly needed those on the books are doing good service. The best of these is that which puts the making up of the questions in the hands of the state board of examiners then has that board grade the papers. This brings about uni- formity that is productive of great con- venience, and makes certificate in any one county good in any other in the state This is not so in many states, Georgia, for instance.
 Glaring Weakness.
 There is a glarlng weakness in the system of electing the county superinten- dents that 1t Is hoped the next legisla- ture will remove. The best school men realize that these men should be elected by the county boards 1t is pointed out that they have no standard to reach in the point of education, and as a matter of fact very few of the county superin- tendents are capable of going into a school room and taking the place of d high grade teacher, when 1t would seem that every demand of the situation would look to this proficiency
 There Is well defined sentiment to have the county superintendents elected and it is quite sure that there will be asked law to that effect of the next legislature The argument is that the county superintendent should be the same to the county that the city superintendent Is to the city, and, therefore ought to be chosen by the school people, free from all political influences.
 Pay Would Be Needed.
 If there should be a law passed to make the county superintendents elective by the county boards there would have to be provided more money for compensation than they now receive-four per cent on the amount dispersed. That, however, could be overcome by local contribution or the adoption of local taxes that would give the communities as we'll as counties the opportunity to get In the van of educational progress. They might all fol- low the example of Perry county where the superintendent is paid a good salary to give all his time to the work. the money being provided by the generous contributions of leading citizens
 Every effort is going to be made by the leading educators of the state and members of the State Teachers associa- ton to take the schools as much out of politics as Is possible. For this reason they are fighting shy of issues and hew- ing exclusively to the educational line. feeling that only as the teachers and teaching is freed from the incubus of politics will there be real and lasting pro- gress in the state.
 
 Card of Thanks.