Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1906-12-18
NEW TEACHERS Jaw
IS FAIR IO ALL
Much of Dissatisfaction Comes
From Those Unable to Obtain
Special Privileges
CERTIFICATES NOT CHANGED
Under the Present Statute Many Moro
Teachers viii Take Normal Train
ins-AII Applicants Treated Alike
and Favoritism is impossibIe-Riggs
Bombarded With Protests.
to Times-Republlcan.

Special to Times-Republlcan.
Des Moines Dec. 1S.-John F. Riggs,
state superintendent of public instruc-
ton, ds being bombarded with letters
of protests and approval Of the new state
teachers certificate law. The resolu-
lions passed by the Davenport teach
ers Is but one incident in the agitation
that is going ON over the state. While
recognizing that the law is not perfect
and that some compromises were nee
essary in getting the bill passed. 1t Is
claimed by the adherents Of the meas
ure that 1t is far better than the old
plan.
One criticism against the new law
by those opposed to it Is that 1t is a
scheme to turn down the country girls
in the interest of the city girl. AS a
matter OF fact the law has lowered the
passing average tor all classes of GER
tificates from to 10 points and in the
abstract has made 1t easier to get a
certificate. This was done because it
was recognized that heretofore polit-
ical pulls have aided in getting certtf-
icates and under the new law it is
more OF cold blooded proposition and
it was desired not to make the condi
tons any harder than they have been
heretofore. 1t was believed that 1t Will
be easier to raise the average required
than to lower 1t. One of the criticisms
against the bill on the part Of educators
before the bill passed was that 1t was
making the conditions too easy.
The requirements for a first grade
certificate formerly were an average
grade Of 80 with mo grade in any SUBJ
ject below so. The requirements now
are an average of not less than IS per
cent and not lower than rs in any one
subject. Formerly for a second grade
certificate the average requirement was
So or above with not less than Is in
any subject. 1t is now an average of
rs and not less than 10 In any SUBJ
ject. For third grade certificate the
former requirement was an average OF
so with no grade lower than 65. 1t Is
now am average of SIS or above with
no grade less than SO. -
The trouble in some sections Of the
state Is that custom has grown up Of
giving certificates now contemplated by
law. The old law as well as the new
provides for but three kinds OF certif-
icates known as the first grade. sec
ord grade and third grade certificates.
The difference in the certificates is in
the number of subjects required on ex-
animation and the grades made as well
as amount of teaching experience. But
in a number of counties or the state
There have been issued what is known
as especial certificates" These are mot
and have not been legal, but they were
issued anyway and the teachers taught
on them. The first grade certificate
is for a period of five years but the
custom in issuing these special certif-
icates has caused the issuance OF ans
nual first grade certificates"
Under the new law the state, board
OF educational examiners decided to re-
new these certificates as they had
been done before, and as was done with
other certificates but not to renew
them for all time. These special first
grade certificates were issued on an
of fewer subjects than is
required Of a regular first grade GER
tificate, Some of the holders of such
certificates desire that as soon as they
have had the amount of teaching ex-
perience required for first grade GER
tificate that they be given such regular
first grade certificate for their special
annual certificate and without any fur
Their examination. This would be
to giving them first grade
certificate without examination in two
or three subjects required of every 9TH
err person receiving such a certificate
It is the political pulp business that
has been eliminated by the new law.
Formerly in many counties first grade
certificates were secured in just that
way.
There is little doubt but that under
the new law every person will be treat
ed alike There are to be no special
certificates for teachers. The law
the kinds of certificates
that can be issued and Just what they
are good for, and the subjects in which
examination is required to secure such
certificates. The readers who examine
and mark the papers have absolutely
no knowledge of whose papers they are.
If the grade and requirements are made
the certificate is issued, and if not the
certificate Is refused. The entire trans
action is done without the knowledge
Of whose grades are being passed up
on till the writing out of the certifi-
cate is done. 1t is therefore a cold
blooded proposition and every. citizen
is sure of the same treatment.
Prominent educators are prophesy-
ing that under the new state certificate
law a great many more teachers will
take normal training, fewer will get
positions by political pulls; the teach
ers of the state in all classes of schools
will be more competent and will be
better paid and new interest generally
will be awakened in the subject of
school teaching. The matter is expect
ed to be discussed to some extent at the
meeting of the state teachers associa-
ton In this city holiday week, and 1t
Is believed that that association will
take a decided stand in favor of the
law.