The Fairmont West Virginian. (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1904-1914, 1908-02-01
RECOGNITION OF OUR SCHOOL oI
pL OMAS.


Notwithstanding the fact that the
courses of study in the various schools
OF West Virginia have been greatly
strengthened and stronger efforts than
ever before have been put forth to
furnish trained teachers for the
schools of the State, nothing has been
done in recent years to give any
greater value to the diplomas from q
legal point of view than they had a
score and more Of years ago. This is
not advancement and 1t is gratifying
to note that our legislators recognize
this fact and are now showing a de-
cided disposition to give recognition
to graduates of West Virginia schools.
Under the law us It now stands a d.
ploma from n State school stands
null and void for n period of three
years in the eyes of the law and the.
graduates are not given any consider
alton whatever over those who have
had no special training for teaching.
The diplomas thus stand discounted
before the people, What We want is
that diplomas from our schools shall
be brought up to par and be worth one
hundred cents on the dollar as soon as
they are issued. This will encourage
hundreds Of young men and women to
complete the higher courses Of study;
1t will be a proper recognition of the
effort put forth in establishing train
ing schools at State expense. About
seventeen States Of the Union treat
the graduates of West Virginia Nor
NAL Schools better than we treat them
ourselves by accepting their diplomas
at full face value and granting State
certificates thereon This is not fair
to our schools nor to our people. West
Virginia should recognize the work of
its schools. If the schools are not good
enough, make them better; but we
should not go half way in the matter.
An effort is being made at the pres
ent time to have diplomas from our
State institutions recognized by maxi
ing them equivalent in all, respects to
first grade certificate for period OF
five years and then IL the person hold
ing the diploma has taught three of
the Ave years successfully he shall be
entitled to the six year certificate now
provided for in the law. The Charles
ton Mail few days ago had the fol-
lowing editorial on the subject now
before the Legislature:
Some Legislation In favor of the
Normal schools OF the State is expected
at the special session, and is badly
needed. The present system of not
recognizing diplomas of the Normals
as the equivalent Of teachers certif-
cate is little encouragement for a
teacher to train himself.
Under the present system, after a
teacher has spent four years prepar,
ing himself to teach by completing the
Normal course in these State institu.
lions, 1t is necessary for him to pass
the examination as the person who
has tken no special training before he
is allowed to instruct the youth of the
State. 1t is true that examinations
for teachers are conducted upon a
higher plane than they were few
years ago. but the man or woman who
spends both time and money for high
err education should be given some en-
| couragement.
"other States treat our teachers bet
ter than they are treated at home.
Within the past year at least half a
dozen normal school graduates have
gone to Arizona and are teaching
there. They were not required to pass
any examination, the fact that they
held normal school diplomas was TAX