Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1916-06-14
FOR BETTER TEACHERS.

the state board of education relative to |
certificatlon and examination of teach |
ers and Redistribution of teachers in
the rural schools for salaries paid them /
under the new law by the state, |
through a system of rebates to the
haps the most important action yet |
taken by the state board in its possible
bearing on the problem of educational
progress. It is distinct, and in some
respects, a radical departure from
beaten paths. No other state in the
union, probably has taken ground so
far advanced, in certain particulars.
But conditions seem favorable here in
Vermont for the undertaking. by prac-
teal steps, of what men who have
given the subject careful thought have
long believed to be correct methods in
the selection, promotion and remuner-
alton of teachers, the quality Of whom
is after all the chief criterion of any
public school system Among the
features that stand out in the new plan
are the following:
l. There will be no more teachers
examinations, as such. Candidates
for certificates will not be admitted as
in the past merely on knowledge of
subject matter as revealed by specific
tests. Such knowledge at best is but
one of the elements of the successful
teachers equipment. 1t should not
be the definite and final test for long
certifcation. Fully as important is
special training for the work ahead
Most conclusive of all is successful
teaching in the field during proba
tionary period. These elements are
considered and provided for IN the plan
to go into effect July LIST next.
in fI1fI 10
recruited from among the graduates of
the state-supported training courses in
the high schools and academies, the
normal schools, colleges and universe
ties, whose diplomas will be accepted
without further examination for the
granting of probationary certificates.
A careful estimate Of the number of
candidates available from these sources
and of the number of new teachers
likely to be required during TIE coming
year by reason of retirement of those
in the field leads to the conviction that
there will be sufficient material, nearly
all of which has received ct least one
full year of special prepare ton, with
particular attention to rural school
needs. Over 400 girls will be gradual
ed this month from the two state
normal schools and the "a teacher
training courses, which number will
be adequate to supply the call, it is
believed. Should there be in some
localities a dearth of trained teachers,
there is likely to be an Oyer-supply IN
other localities that will take care OF
the demand. In special instances it
may be necessary for the commissioner
of education to issue permits, as here
tofore. The influx of so large a mum
Der of trained teachers in rural schoo
work is cause Of congratulation. 1
bids fair to exert a marked influence
toward the betterment of conditions.
3. The initial or probationary certi
, fcate, valid for the school year il
which it is granted, gives the teacher
the chance to make good. If she does
she can pass on to the qualification
certificate valid for five years. If she
does not, she cannot advance, and she
cannot continue in the service more
| than three years in all, under an!
conditions. Some teachers require
that long to find themselves.
4. In the same way, the holder of
u qualification certificate "who ha
shown skill in teaching and in tn
, control of pupils" may claim a lif
certificate. The reward comes whel
fairly earned-not until.
5. 1t will be noted that the plal
adopted provides for and requires tina
teachers must continue to grow. AS
means to this end, a certain amount O
{ summer-school work or special trainin!
and courses in professional reading ar
prescribed, besides successful teaching
in order to fit for the advanced certif
q Gates. 1t is not enough that teache
:, shall be good teacher if she ca
u become better one. The instruction
~ in subjects and methods and the benz
>: fits gained by special work of this kim
u makes the fair teacher good and tn
,, good, superior.
u 6. The new system of certifcatio
d takes effect July l, 1916, and vii
y govern all certificates issued after tia
u date. 1t cannot interfere with O
Il change the condition of any certifcat
~ issued prior thereto. But an opportU
nifty is given those who hold the oil
certificates to exchange them for tb
=, new ones and provision is made where
- by any successful teacher who wi
= come up to the same standard as re
y quired of new candidates may secure
Y certificate of the new issue, in elias
y according to the qualifications as dete,
n mined by the commissioner. The pros
l. pect is that goodly number will seiz
If the opportunity to improve themselves
,e and that some who have lacked incer
ss tive to get out of the rut will now fin
it.
Z. AS means to this end, as we
It as to insure compensation of teacher
9t in the rural schools according to thei
At teaching ability, rather than on
- basis of time service, the state boar
n has re-classifed such teachers, unde
the au thority given it in Section 1O4 c
- Act No 81 of the Acts of 1915. Tbi
new classification is based primaril
on the new classification of certificate
for teaching. Holders of life certif
Gates issued after July /, 1916, wi
receive four dollars per week in add
ton to the salaries paid by the towns
t which latter must by law be at leas
eight dollars per week. Holders G