Martinsburg statesman-democrat. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1906-1921, 1907-09-13
p rtinens Suggestions for Better Eduea-
Sfnr1

; Il nc mas I. Miller mas 1SsuSN u CliCu-
lar f Information number seven, which
deals in an interesting manre r with
several questions of an educational ma
ture which are of much importance to
the people ef West Virginia. The cir
! cular follows in part:
some controversy has arisen as IA the
state professional certificate, some
claiming that the six years Ger
/ tificate, known as the second class Ger
/ ijiicate should he reckoned as secoI
/ grade only. This is not correct. Both
the six-year and the twelve-year certi-
ficate issued 10y the State board rank as
n inlber one certificates and should be
so recognized everywhere. In fact,
such rertigcates are Of greater value
than those issued under uniform sys-
tenn and | have frequently urged that
a large mum Der of teachers should Sc
cure this professional certificate:
in some counties there has been
good deal CT difference on the part Of
teachers as to institute attendance and
there has been also entirely too much
laxity on part of school officers in this
,speet. The law specifically requires
such attendance ut the county lnsti-
tutes, and unless excused for lawful
reason no teacher can legally draw lis
S .lary. L urge most careful attention 10
this matter this year as | shall insist
that no excuses be granted by the coun
" board eff examiners except those re-
cognizes in the law. Moreover, as the
institute is most helpful means OF
Improvement, i. would seem that all
progressive teachers would want TO get
in touch with better methods and with
the interesting presentations that are
made in Institutes from time to time.
The per diem Of $3.50 for full weeks
/ attendance is scarcely sufficient 10
meet ones expenses, but this is some
recognition of the ralue of the teachers
time TO which for many years was de-
MED. OF course, it is understood that
the per diem is paid but once nd
then at the close of the term when the
final report is presented.
The next examination under the
uniform system will be held on Thurs
day and Friday, July 18th and 18th.
Each county superintendent fixes the
place where the examination will be
held, White the State superintendent
feels that he has no authority to eX-
clude any from the examination
except those who now hold
number one CERTIFICATES, still he feels
that the department. is being unneces-
sarily burdened by large mum Der of
applicants who 'Just try to see what
they can make" At the May eXamin-
atoms there were almost 1900 persons
Tho took the examination and of this
number thirty-two per cent failed. An
ia vesligation shows that large per
| centageiof those who failed were young
people, hoys and girls barely seventeen
| years of age, wLo entered the eXamins-
ton As matter of test and experience,
not many of them expecting certlti-
4tes. In fact, several county superin-
tendents so stated in their recon- Z en-
d atoms. In several instances through
out the State entire schools Of thirty or
forty pupils went 10 the examination
In body, many Of them never ex-
pecting to become teachers.
! Now, while, as above stated, it my
be that the law would not authorize
this department: tc exclude such
persens from the examinations,
nevertheless, / think in the lin
torest Of the system that this
matter should be very carefully con-
sdered, Unless an applicantsthiuks
he possesses the requisite amount of
! knowledge to get certificate and 10
teach school successfully, l think
IL best that he should not enter the ex-
animation. The grading of the papers
il q burdensome work and expensive
IA we'll, and the amount of such work
should be made as reasonable as the
interests OF the schools VIII justify.
r lere is no desire TO eurtail the ambi-
ton of any young man or yeuEg
W oman and the State needs competent
te lchers, but | feel that the uniform
ystem should not be burdened with
unnecessary labor The old idea that
any one can teach school lis passing
away and a much higher standard is
being required. This standard has
teen raised gradually and te ch,rs
have had fair notice to prepare them
selves. Many helpful suggestions have
been made through the reading circle
in the institute annual, and hundreds
have taken advantage of these sugges-
items, b 1t others seem to follow IN the
old beaten chanaele. Applicants should