Los Angeles herald., 1906-11-13
TEACHERS MUST
PASS HARD Tests
INFLUENCE CAN NO LONGER
BE USED
Candidates for Positions In the City
Schools VIII BE Chosen on
Their Merits and Not
"PulP

One of the most important moves
ever made by the board of education
for the good of the service was pro-
posed last night when the teachers
committee recommended the selection
Of applicants for positions by a COM
petitive examination. The recommen-
dalton states that neither social nor
political influence should enter into
their selection, and that the present
method is defective and unsatisfac-
tory.
In times past the examination to
which applicants have been subjected
was very perfunctory. Sometimes a
hundred and fifty would have to be
passed upon In two hours, and as
matter of course only a cursory ex-
animation could be made. Credentials
of past work would be examined, but
the applicant would be subjected to no
mental tests whatever.
Then, too, the question of influence
was a bugbear both to board and APP
plicants. For weeks before the choos-
ing of teachers, committee members
and superintendent were subjected to
opportunities for favorites from influ-
entail friends. DR.. Moore is said to
have declared that as far as he was
concerned people could get more from
him by coming in person than by send
ing friends with a pull" but still,
large numbers of applicants seemed to
think that influence would aid their
cause, and so they lined up all their
big friends. Under the competitive
system this Will be abolished.
Must Be Graduate
referred to the rules committee to be
acted upon next week, the applicant
must at least have graduated from
high school and an accredited normal
school. An age limit is also placed,
the rule stating that the applicant
must be not less than twenty nor more
than forty years Of age. A years
successful experience is also demanded
of the candidate, except in the case of
kindergarten teachers Teachers will
be selected by competitive examina-
tion of all applicants holding regular
teachers certificates.
The examination will consist of two
parts, a written test and an oral ex-
animation, only those passing the
former being eligible to take the lat
ter. By the examination the commit
tee hopes to be able to pick out the
best of the applicants.
The written tests will include the
general method of instruction, class
room management and discipline,
school hygiene and educational psy-
chology, the special aims and methods
of teaching the different subjects and
composition, spelling and penmanship
will also be considered. Later on other
| tests may be added.
The examinations will be conducted
by the teachers committee and the
superintendent. Each member will
prepare list of twelve questions, and
two hours before the test two questions
from each persons list will be chosen.
| These questions will constitute the ex-
animation. In like manner care is to
be taken to guard against favoritism
in marking. The applicant will write
her answer on a piece of paper which
contains only mark, and not her
name. The principals of the schools
will pass on the papers, two persons
marking each paper The average of
the two marks will be taken as the
candidates grade.
seventy-five Per Cent Necessary
Every applicant who passes the writ
ten examination by a grade of rs per
cent or more shall be eligible to the
oral examination, which will. be con-
Quoted by the superintendents and
teachers committee. Each member of
this body will mark the candidate pri-
vately, and after the examination is
over the average Of the different marks
will be considered the applicants prop
er standing. Her name will be placed
on the list of eliglbles according to her
standing.
Thtse competitive examinations will
be held twice year, the written ex-
aminations being held the first Satur-
day after April 16 and the first Satur-
day of August. At those dates the time
of the oral examinations will be an
nounced.
In order to inaugurate the new
method at once the committee has Or
dered an examination to be held Sat
urday, Dec, Is. Applicants will have
to furnish the board of education
full statement of their experience as
teacher not less than twenty days be-
fore the examination. At the same time
list Of from three to seven references
to persons competent to speak of the
candidates character and fitness for
the work will be demanded. The use
of personal, political or social influence
Is strictly forbidden According to the
rule, applicants for positions will have
to register not later than Monday,
Nov. 25.
The new measure, while 1t will entail
great deal more work and expense,
WILL it is believed, operate for the good
of the service, besides removing all
ground for complaint of favoritism.