Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1907-01-17
RUMoRED THAT MANY WAPELLo
COUNTY TEACHERS PREFER
MATRIMoNY TO EXAMS
NEW RULES
County Superintendent. Emma Nye
Says That Apprehension is Unbound
ed-Admits That Many Fair Peda-
soeues Are to be Married Soon.
From Wednesdays Daily.

From Wednesdays Daily.
Are The supposed arduous examina-
tons for certificates brought about by
the recently enacted law, to be respon-
s.ble for the marrying of large num-
Der OF Wapello county's fair school
teachers? This is question which is
consuming much thought and atten-
ton on the part of County superin-
tendant Emma Nye and the various
school boards of the county at the pres
ent time.
1t is rumored that the impression
mas gone abroad among the fair peda-
gogues that it is easier to get married
than t., obtain a certificate under the
new law. The approach of the time
fixed for the second set of examina-
lions under the new law brings this
question 10 the foreground.
When seen this morning Miss Emma
Nye, the county superintendent, re-
fused to state that this phase of the
teacher problem was as serious as re-
ported. However, she admitted that
five young women had been married
from out Of the ranks of Wapello coun-
ty teachers since school convened
last fall. She also admitted that at
least fourteen of the young women who
are now teaching in the various schools
of the county have signifed their inten-
ton Of leaving the professional for the
domestic life next June
81 presume there will be more teach
ers married next June than Wapello
county ever saw before" said Miss
Nye. "But would not like to state
that it was because of the new rules
governing examinations that this is to
be so.
Apprehension is Unfounded.
There is a great deal of apprehen-
sion among the teachers in regard to
the new rules, it Is true, but most of
it is Nnfounded. The second set of
these examinations since the new law
has been in operation is to be held in
Ottnmwa January 90, "a and % and all
those who are intending to teach dur
ing tie spring months must take their
examinations at that time. There will
be none between that time and the last
of June The examinations vii, be held
in the Lincoln school,"
st is mistake for the teachers 10
be so apprehensive of these. examina
lions. They point to the fact that at
those held last October, the first under
the new laws, only fifty per cent of
those taking the examinations passed.
1ney do not remember however, that
those who took the examinations at
this time were either those who had
failed at previous ones, or the teach
ers who held the very lowest grades
of certificates.
Experience Must Be Progressive. ).
Experience alone will not count,
but progressive experience will. The
intent of the new law is not to crowd
out the progressive teachers. The
only intent of the law Is to put teach.
ing on the professional basis. Teach
ers complain. saying that in no other
profession are the members required
to pass examinations after the first
one. They forget that in all other PRO.
fessions but teaching a preparatory
course is required and the members
must take their examination before q
state board. Very few teachers have
taken their examinations before state
boards and under the new law, when
a teacher satisfies the state board that
he or she has reached the required
state or proficiency they Will be eX-
empt from examination.
A Summer School.
Previous to the July examinations,
Miss Nye intends to conduct a sum
mer school for the teachers of the
county, to last six weeks or so. This
will be in connection with the regular
annual institute. BY the provisions
the of new law some teachers, who
have hitherto been excused from ex-
aminations, will be required to take
them on some subjects and therefore
a review of these subjects will be
necessary. For this reason the sum.
mer school will be conducted. 1t will
be supported by the regular $50 APP
made by the state and by
entrance, examination and tuition fees
paid by the teachers.