Free trader-journal. (Ottawa, Ill.) 1916-1920, 1919-07-12
LEGISLATURE MAKES.
CHANGES IN STATE.
LAW FOR TEACHERS.
COPY OF REVISED STATUTE WITH
LETTER OF EXPLANATION SENT
TO COUNTY SUPERINTENDENT
OF SCHOOLS w. r. FOSTER.

N.'bIllh t'd ~ 1 III 1T vi sp'lic'i1
w. r. Foster has received the follow.
ing communication from the office Of
State Superintendent OF Instruction
Francis G. Blair, the letter being WRIT.
ten by A. l.. Whittenberg, secretary of
the board OF examiners:
The fifty-tirst general assembly has
made some changes in the certiticat-
ing law whic' should be given pub.
licity at this time,
The third grade elementary certifi'
cate has been eliminated All thirl
grade certificates earned in t.-e March,
1919, examination and which would
have been issued on July /, 1919,
should not be issued prior to that
time. You may very properly date
them on April IS, the date upon which
YOU received the report OF the exami-
nation. II would be unlawful to issue
a third grade certificate on or after
July /, 1919 All third grade certifi-
Gates. however. which We're issued
since July /. 1918. are subject to re-
newal on July /. 1919 or within sixty
days thereafter, such renewal to cover
the school year beginning July I, 1919,
On June 80, 1920 all third grade GER
tifcates in Illinois will expire and
will not longer be subject to renewal
or extensions.
THE law as now amended requires
Graduation from recognized high
school or an equivalent preparation,
for admission to the examination for
a second grade certificate. The term
recognized high school in this par.
ttcular connection will be construed to
mean recognized two-year high
school as minimum An equivalent
preparation will be construed to mean
eight units Of secondary education
earned in any recognized high school,
academy or other recognized institu-
ton.
You are advised, however. that per.
sons who have been admitted to the
examination for second grade certih'
cate under the law prior 10 amend
ment and who have some valid grades
in the July. 1919, examination for sec
Ond grade certificate. may be admitted
to the July, 1919, examination without
regard to the prerequisite of two
years high school study. We will
predicate this Interpretation Of the
law upon the fact that such persons
had been admitted to the examination
and mad completed a part Of the work
prior to the enactment of the require,
ment Of the two years high school
study
This will mean that all persons
who entered the examination in July,
1918. or in March 1919. and who have
earned some grades of - or higher,
may be admitted to the July. 1919. ex.
animation without the requirements of
two years high school study
"A provisional certificate may be Is.
sued in either Of two ways: First
Without examination TO persons who
have completed two years of work in
a recognized normal school or one
year of such work if a graduate of
the tenth grade upon entering the
normal school; second. to persons who
have entered the examination for sec.
ond grade certificates but who have
not made the required grades or aver
age for a second grade certificate,
"The law as amended now requires
that all teachers shall register their
certificates in the office of the county
superintendent of schools before the
holder begins to teach
"The law as amended gives the high
school certificate equal validity with
the first grade elementary certificate
as to supervising. That is to say
that either first grade elementary
certificate or a high school certificate
is valid for position as principal OF
superintendent, including elementary
grades, provided the position does not
require more than one-half time fol
supervision A number Of othel
| amendments were made which will
| ton. The foregoing are of immediate
| importance to the teaching force o
your county and to persons who may
be planning TO enter the July exami
! nation for second grade elementar,
certificate.
There will be a scarcity Of teach
ers for next year, Graduates of rec
ogrzed high schools should be encour
aged to enter the examination for sec
ond grade certificates. Compensation
for eaching in the public schools q
Illinois has greatly improved and vii