The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1909-08-29
NEW LAW REGULATING
EXAMINATION OF TEACHERS

the papers submitted at the next sue
ceeding regular examination, at which
the holder Of the certificate is expected
to be an applicant. This change, sub
shutting temporary certificates for spe-
cial examinations brings about the Same
benefits heretofore accomplished by spe-
cial examinations and is absolutely
without cost to the teachers.
Section 5 of the bill referring to sec
ton 1925 of the code has reference to
the salary of the two members on the
board Of examiners; the other member,
the superintendent of education, serving
ex-officio without pay except his salary
as superintendent of education. The net
income to the two members of the board
of examiners has been higher than the
salaries fixed because the members here
tofore, under the law, had the benefit of
the income from special examinations
conducted at the capitol, together with
the per diem of S. provided by law. The
custom prevails of having man APP
pointed as secretary and woman as the
other member. This board of examiners
is in the very nature of things response
BILE to the state for maintaining an eff
ficient teaching force In all the public
schools of Alabama, including the sys-
tenn of city schools. 1t IS not only con-
tinuous and laborious, but is exacting
to marked degree, and ought to be filed
by teachers good as can be found In
the state-teachers not only qualified pro-
fessionally to perform the exacttng du-
ties of the position, but teachers of the
broadcast practical judgment The salary
of the secre tary, Notwithstanding the
responsibilities of the position, and not
withstanding the fact that every day In
the yearis required upon the work, is not
more than is ordinarily given to a solicit
tor who sometimes works not more than
half his time in the prosecution OF GRIM
inals.
Section of the bill, referring to section
1921 of the code, provides an assistant
for each county superintendent in con-
Quoting these examinations for each 80
applicants above the first 80, and also
provides a small expense fund properly
hedged about, for securing tables, desks,
etc, to be used by the applicants on ex-
animation. Experience has shown that
most of the trouble in the matter Of IN
j fairness on the part of applicants has
| been brought about through conditions
| which these two changes will remove.
! The bill requires the county superinten-
| dent to submit sworn statement of ac-
| tual expenses for tables and desks which
! shall in no case be more than 10 cents
per applicant
| Section Of the bill, referring to section
! 1741 Of the code, makes no change ex-
| cept substituting the words five years"
! for six years. thus allowing the holder
of a first grade state certificate to be
eligible to apply for a life certificate
after teaching successfully under a first
| grade for five years instead of six ,Sears,
/ thus giving the applicant one year before
the expiration of the life of the first
grade (six years. in which to make trial
! for life certificate.
! Section of the hill reDeals section
| 1912 of the code. That original section
required the cancellation of life certlf-
| cate after the holder had been out OF the
work of a teacher for five years. tx
| rerience has shown that the section Is In
| operative because the office cannot keep
| track of teachers who are not at work.
| They may die or move out of the nats
| without the knowledge of the department
of education. Furthermore, professional