Democratic Sentinel, Volume 2, Number 8, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 5 April 1878 — A New Departure in the Examination of Teachers. [ARTICLE]

A New Departure in the Examination of Teachers.

At Its meeting in last September, | the county Board of Education authorized the county Superintendent to hold, at stated times, theoretical examinations in which the questions should aim to test the practical knowledge of methods in school work, rather than a mere technical knowledge of books. The first of these examinations was held, by county Superintendent Snoddy, last Saturday. To satisfy the immediate demands of a few teachers the regular slate questions were also used. One hundred and twenty applicants were presen, forty-three of whom entered the theoretical class, the remainder the regular class. Hal the weather been favorable no doubt but two hundred would have applied. When it is remembered that there are only one hundred and fifteen li censed teachers in the county, and probably that number will not be greatly increased, the educational interest of the county is shown to be good. Applicants speak of the questions as practicle and fair, and show a cheerful willingness to sustain the experiment. The county Superintendent was assisted by C. P. Hopkins in conducting the examination Bro. James complains that he is advertising the call for the “greenback” convention gratuitously. We suggest that the “greenbackers”raise the funds and pay him for it. Never ask a man gratuitously to assist in the erection of his own gallows. If you do, he will be sure to “blab” it as evidenced by Bro. J. in this instance.