Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1905-01-25
NAMES SCHOOLS.
Annual Report of Superintendent w.
w. Stetson.

Annual Report of Superintendent w.
w. Stetson.
The annual report OF Hon. w. w. Stet-
SOD, State superintendent OF public
schools, for the school year ending June
80, 1904, is now ready for distribution. 1t
is volume of 156 pages and contains
wealth of matter of much value in educa-
tional lines, as well as of an interesting
nature for the general reader.
The opening chapter is devoted to an
exhaustive article on the school work OF
the year and is followed by another on
| standard schools" for Maine. The latter
are clearly defined, as well as the condi-
tions under which they should be con-
Quoted. The educational mass meetings
OF the past year are also taken up, and
considerable space devoted to them, be-
sides giving q fine half tone cut OF the
gentlemen who were engaged In the work.
Besides the regular general examination
given annually on the last Friday in Au-
gust, to all candidates clustering there
for, for the past three years special ex-
animation has been given at the normal
schools, for the benefit OF such memb ers
OF the graduating classes as elected to
take it before graduation.
For the year 1904, III candidates took
the special examinations, all OF whom
were awarded certificates. For the
regular general examination 21s candi-
dates registered, of whom 1888 took the
tests given either In whole or in part. OF
this latter number, seven failed to get
the required rank in one or more subjects
end eleven failed to take all the tests.
Certificates have, therefore, been awarded
to 2S2 persons as the results o; both the
special and generel examinations for the
year.
The history OF State examinations in
Maine covers period OF eight years. The
following statement gives, in brief, the
results to date:
Whole number of candidates examined, s,5.o
Whole number OF certificates awarded, 2.s46
Number of certificates whose terms have
expired, 1.o9s
Number of certificates now in force, l,2ls
These results are eminently satisfactory.
Nearly one-fifth OF all the teachers in the
schools of Maine to-day stand in a class
by themselves as having furnished and
being In possession of written evidence
that they possess that scholarship, moral
character, personality and professional
knowledge and skill fitting them to teach
in those grades of school for which they
are certifcated.
Hundreds of other teachers, inspired by
the example Of these and with the sm-
bition to ally themselves with these, are
known to be earnestly preparing them
selves to take these examinations in the
future. Indeed, it may be safely asserted
that there are few teachers in Maine to-
day, possessing that progressive profess
sional spirit which makes for the highest
efficiency, who are not intending at some
time to avail themselves of the advantages
afforded by State examinations.
In fine, the State examinations, during
the eight years in which they have been
held, have done more for the teachers of
Maine and for the improvement OF Maine
schools, than was even hoped for when
they were planned aud inaugursted. From
the fact that the examination has been
and is wholly optional, the credit for the
success which has SO far attended 1t is
largely due to that earnest, progressive
spirit which is Characteristic of Maine
teachers everywhere.
Other valuable and interesting matter
is contained in the special statistics of
academies, seminaries and institutes, and
the report on the summer schools. The
reports of the president and secretary of
the school improvement league OF Maine
are given, and show that this useful ad-
junct to education is In a most fourishipg
condition. The report of the secretary
shows that the league has made gain of
112 in mem bership during the year.
There are five State normal schools-at
Castine, Gorham, Pennington, Presque
Isle and Fort Kent. Castine graduated
fifty-three last June.
The total appropriations for normal
schools in 1904 was SO, $50, all of which
was expended.