The times and democrat. [volume] (Orangeburg, S.C.) 1881-current, 1908-09-15

dation of the county superintendent
The county superintendent must 60.
every two years to ask the people to.
[; vote for him. Many of the people
who. help to elect the superinten-.
tendents expect return Of farors.
| These superintendents must sit in
Judgment upon the efficiency Of ap-
plicants to teach school, We are
some OF these applicants? Sons and
daughters. brothers and sisters, of
men who helped to elect the county
superintendent. Now, it would be.
an insult to intimate that any honest
county superintendent would violate
his honor by, granting Intentionally
an unmerited certificate, but it re-
, quires no sagacity to see the unen-
viabe situation of the suDerinten-
dent in such contingency. He ought
TO be relieved OF any such mbarrass-
ment.
1t may be appropriate to give the
| facts concerning few cases Of abuse,
| in granting certificates. The writer
knows Of more than one teacher that
holds 4 first grade certificate, but
that has never stood any examination
whatever, though not exempt by law.
Another is the case Of teacher hold
ing a first grade certificate for over
ten years, but stopped teaching long
enough to let her certificate expire.
Later she returned to teaching. and
on taking the examination failed to
make grade high enough for any
certificate at all. Question: How
did she get certificate. and why was
il renewed from year to year with
out examination? Some county
boards have made such records for
uprightness IL granting certificates
that any Glher county board feels
safe in renewing one of the formers.
certificates; while few have made
such uenviable reputation ii grant
ing these certificates that no other
board is willing to renew certificate
issued by tire former. These are un-
palatablc facts.
Many claim that good teachers are
assured by accepting the diplomas or
reputable colleges in lieu OF eXamina-
tons. This plan is faulty. In our
section of the country the term col
lege has no definite meaning; there,
is nothing by which one college can
be legally differentiated from an
other. Therefore al college gradua-
tes are accepted in the schools on
equal terms It is fact we'll known
to all educators that person may
in the course Of ten years not only
fail to improve as teaching grows
better, but actually grow inferior
Besides, some college courses offer
teacher training, some claim to do So
while others make no claim at all.
Yet another defect must be taken
into account: A student with very
poor preparation may go through
fairly reputable college, taking only
academic work, only to find himself
lamentably ignorant of the common
school subjects which he is required
to teach The best colleges and the
pupils from tile best colleges are the
most willing to submit to examina-
tions for teachers certificates. The
inferior college and its graduates are
very much opposed to these examina-
tions. No further comment is nee
cessary..a ~ ,tia.
The certification of teachers ought
to be in the hands OF competent
State Board. appointed to that office.
and with certain well-defined quail
fications. Still. man or woman may
pass an excellent examination, but
prove dismal failure in the school,
room. Such can be eliminated only
through responsible and competent
supervisor. Until some such plan Is
adopted, we may make up our minds
to having our. schools filled with in
ferior teachers. Supt. Martin recon-
mended last year beginning in the
direction Of reform in these matters
and the General Assembly showed
commendable willingness 70 take
some action, but failed to do so.
William H. Hand
University of South Carolina.