The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1915-05-13

~ va Wv IL " LII OAAANS VIZ u
A Drastic and Unreasonable Rule of the
State High School Board Becomes
Operative Sept. 1, 1915,
Normal Graduates no Longer Permitted
to Become Teachers in the Grades
Of Graded and High Schools.
That Minnesota's excellent school
system is largely due to the policy
of granting state aid is not disputed
by anyone familiar with the facts.
Very few tax payers know that over
81 900, 900 annually is given for the
purpose of encouraging the employ
ment of better qualified teachers,
providing better equipment, and
ou] schools more efficient.
In order to secure this state aid
schools must meet the requirements
of the state high school board in re-
gard to buildings, sanitary surround
ings, light, heating and ventilation.
qualification of teachers,
salaries, length of school year.. etc.
The law authorizes the state super
intendent and tine high school board
to prescribe the conditions upon
which this aid may be granted.
That these have been, in the main,
wise and for the best interests of
the schools is unquestioned. AS
the state aid was increased it was
to be expected that the require
ments would be raised. But l very
seriously question the wisdom of
rule which becomes effective Sep
TENDER l, 1915. This article is not
but is written in a
spirit of friendly criticism. I re-
spect the members of the high school
board: they are all gentlemen of
culture and of the highest standing
in their respective communities, and
have done what they thought was
for the best interests of our schools.
But, in my Judgment, they have
erred in at least one respect.
At first certain educational requir-
ements were demanded of high
school superintendent and graded
school principals. Then they in
sisted that all primary teachers
must be normal graduates and that
eighth grade teachers must hold at
least first grade state certificates.
Later secoud grade teachers were
barred from all the grades of graded
and high schools, none but normal
graduates and first grade teachers
being eligible. Then none but nor
NAL graduates could be employed.
Very little criticism arose as we met
these requirements, for we realized
that the standard of the teaching
force was being raised in the grades.
At least that was the intention of
the regulations ..~--.
But. now the high school board
says that ''none but advanced normal
graduates shall be permitted to enter
the grades of graded or igh schools. -
"a one year course at our normal
schools is required of high school
graduates for an elementary diploma,
and two year course is required for
the advanced diploma. The rules of
the high school board are never re-
troactive.) just how such regula-
tion will benefit our schools is more
than I can discover. From their
work it is seldom possible to dis
tinguish the elementary from the
advanced normal graduates. and 1
think you will find as many weak
teachers in one class as in the other.
OF this | am certain, those element
airy graduates who are not successful
teachers now will not become adopts
in the profession by attending the
normal school another year. Some
of them become just as good teach
ers as any of the advanced normal
graduates. I know first grade
teachers who never saw the inside
of a normal school who are the
equals of any normal graduates in
Minnesota. Other things being
equal, prefer normal trained teach
ers, but also believe in recognizing
merit wherever found.
Why should graded and high
schools be denied the right to en-
ploy these natural born teachersp
Surely the state superintendent and
high school board can find some
method of eliminating the weak
ones. Why not have the state de-
partment issue special certificates to
deserving teachers9 Cannot the in
spectors discover the weak onesY TIA
not, then their inspection does not
I AFNUNaA ".