Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1919-07-19
TEACHERS LAW
is MORE STRICT
State Examiner Whittenburg Sends
Letters to County Superin-
tendents on Change.

Important changes in the law
providing for the certificating of
teachers, made by the Fifty-first
general assembly, are set forth
briefly in a letter to county super
intendents from A. L. Whittenberg,
secretary of the state lining
board.
Among the new features of the
law which are OF special interest
to teachers and those who aspire
to become such is the fact that
third grade certificates are done
away with entirely and the lowest
grade certificate now issuabIe IN
der the law requires graduation
from a recognized high school with
a minimum course of instruction
of two years. The law also now
their certificates with the county
superintendent before beginning to
teach. The letter says:
THE third grade elementary GER
tif1cate has been eliminated. 1t will
be unlawful to issue a third grade
certificate on or after July /, 1919.
All third grade certificates, how
ever, which were issued since July
l, 1913, are subject to renewal on
July 1, 1919, or within so days
thereafter, such renewal to cover
the school year beginning July l.
1919. On June 80, 1920, all third
grade certificates will Expire and
will no longer be subject to re-
newal or extension.
Must BE Graduate.
"The law as now amended re-
quires Graduation from a recog-
nized high school or an equivalent
preparation for admission to the
examination for a second grade
certificate. The term recognized
high school in this part: cular con-
nection will be construed to mean
a recognized two year high school
as a minimum. However, persons
who have been admitted to the ex-
animation for second grade certifi-
Gates under the law prior to amend
ment who have some grades valid
In the July, 1919 examination for
second grade certificates may be
to me July, 1919 exa min
alton without regard to the prere-
quisite of two years high school
study. We will predicate this in
1CA IA CA1AAAOA IA AA1C law APOl4 bAAC
fact that such persons have been
admitted to the examination and
had completed part of the work
prior to the enactment of the re-
Quirement of two years high school
study. (This examination is to be
held July II and 49,.
Provisional Certificate.
"a provisional certificate may be
issued in either of two ways: d.
Without examination to persons
who have completed two years of
work in a recognized normal school
Or one year of such work If a grad
nate of the tenth grade upon enter
ing the normal sch oil; (2)-To per-
sons who have entered the examin- !
alton for second grade certificate |
but who have not made the re-
Iuired grades or average for a sec
1nd grade certificate.
1.-The law as amended now re-
Iuires that all teachers shall regis |
.er their certificates in the office of |
he county superintendent of |
schools before the holder begins |
% teach. The county superin- |
,endent wishes to emphasize this |
asst statement.
There will be a scarcity of /
for next year. Graduates |
If recognized high schools should /
De encouraged to enter the exam
nation for a second grade cert.fi-
ate. Compensation for teaching in
he public schools of Illinois has
greatly improved and will continue I
o improve. Additional school rev.
nue. has been provided by the Fiji
y-first general assembly and there
3. unquest.onably. growing sp-
recitation of the services of we'll
rained teachers.