Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1913-02-21
STATE SUpT. SMITH ON
CERTIFICAIIOH OF TEACHERS.

State Superintendent of Schools Pay
son Smith, who was unable to appear
before the committee on education,
Wednesday, in behalf of the resolve
favoring the state certiheation of
teachers, was heard, Thursday after
noon.
Superintendent Smith explained that
there was great deal of misunder-
standing as to the bill that had led
to opposition and sought to explain it
TO the members of the committee.
He explained first. that the certific-
cation might be procured in four ways.
by examination, by high or higher
school diploma. reciprocal arrangements
with other states on her past service as
a teacher He explained also that a
teacher could be eertifcated either on
examination before the State superin-
tendent or the local superintendent of
schools.
Mr.. Smith maintained that the re-
suit of this law would be to do away
with the conditions now existing Of
several thousands of children being I'M
der the care of teachers themselves.
who have never gone beyond the ele-
meptsry schools. He continued that it
dren Nat the State certifcation was
sought and was now one of four states
in the Union that did not have such
law.
In speaking of the salaries Mr.. Smith
explained that they were low because
the qualifications We're low and thought
that the best way was to raise the quail
ifcations as a means to raising the sal
airy of the teachers
He pointed out that the bill was not
drastic one for he claimed that ii
would not throw out all incompetents
at once. as most of them would be able
to secure certification on their service
records, but that in the future incom-
petents would be eliminated.
In answering the argument that it
would be necessary TO make it more
difficult for some localities to obtain
teachers before the desired advance in
qualifications was secured.
In closing Mr. Smith said the State
Board of Certification would not be able
to dictate in any way what teachers
should be employed but would merely
grade teachers as to their capabili-
ties
Judge Bird appeared before the com
mittee in support of the resolve ia
voring appropriation of $3.50, for the
next two years, for North Yarmouth
Academy. He explained the financial
situation of the academy and that the
money was needed for absolutely nee
essary repairs. He expressed the be-
lief that if this money could be Sc
cured and the buildings put in the
shape that they ought to be it would be
possible to raise an endowment fund
that would for ever exclude the ne
cessity of coming to the State for aid.
Representative Hodsdon of Yarmouth
testified to the poor condition of the
buildings and deemed the demand not
excessive.
Rev. Mr. Morrison, pastor of the First
Parish church, spoke of the good work
the academy was doing in the commu-
nifty and of a need that it filled unlike
most other schools. He said that the
academ" filled great want in the en-
tire community of that section of the
county.
Senator Murphy of the committee
brought out the fact that the school
was getting but $500 from the State
which is much less than many schools
not nearly as large.
E w Wheeler of Brunswick and Rep
Rousseau appeared in behalf of the
town of Brunswick against the resolve
favoring the exemption of taxation OF
certain school property such as frater-
nifty houses, There were no represen-
tatives present for the proponents
Peter Charles Reagan, trustee of the
Van Buren, College, appeared for the
resolve carrying $15.00C in favor of that
institution for building purposes He
explained the growing need of more
room and promised that the college
would raise much more than that sum
for the erection of one building.
Charles Z. Ball of Bingham ad-
vocated favorable action on the only
resolve before the committee not car
rying any money, that of abollshlng
several school holidays. MI BAN,
who is superintendent in Bingham, said
that he had many complaints of SO
many school days being wasted and
| thought they could be taught more OF
Washington. Columbia, patriotism and
New Years inside the school than out.