LB 1772 \A/4-A^ THE EXAMINATION HANDBOOK State of West Virginia Department of Free Schools Charleston 1916 TRIBUNE PRINTINa CO., CHARLESTON, W. VA. THE Examination Handbook Giving the Provisions for the Certification of Teachers and the Issuing of Elementary Diplomas M. p. SHAWKEY State Superintendent GEORGE E. HUBBS Supervisor of Examinations State of West Virginia Department of Free Schools Charleston 1916 -^\1^^ \-^^*:^>' Fel). 3-4. March 16-11. May 18-19. April 6- 7. EXAMINATION DATES FOR 1916. First Test for Elementary Diplomas. Second Test for Elementary Diplomas. Third Test for Elementary Diplomas. Examination for Elementary, Renew- al, and Primary Certificates. June 1- 2. Examination for Elementary, Renew- al, Primary, High School, Supervisor's and Special Certificates. July 20-21. Examination for Elementary, Renew- al, Primary, High School, Supervisor's and Special Certificates. In making inquiry about examination work state the date and county in which the examination re- ferred to was held. EXAMINATION SCHEDULE. Thursday Forenoon. 8:00- - 8:15. Assigning seats to appli- cants, announcements, etc. Vi hr. 8:15- -10:00. History, 1% hr. 8:15- -10:00. Betts and Hall's "Better Rural Schools" 1% hr. 10:00- -12:00. Arithmetic, 2 hr. 10:00- -12:00. Charter's Teaching the Common Branches 2 hr. Thursday Afternoon. 1:00- - 2:15. Civil Government, IV^ hr. 2:15- -4:15. Theory and Art, 2 hr. 4:15- - 5:30. Physiology, Friday Forenoon. IV^ hr. 7:45- - 9:45. Grammar, 2 hr. 9:45- -11:15. Agriculture, iy2 hr. 11:15- -12:00. Orthography, Friday Afternoon. % hr. 1:00- - 1:30. Penmanship, V2 hr. 1:30- - 3:30. Reading, 2 hr. 3:30- - 5:00. Geography, IVa hr. Method and Management, and Grammar (same as for the Elementary certificate) are required of all applicants for Special certificates. Applicants for the Special certificate in Drawing should provide themselves with white drawing paper 9x12, draw- ing pencil, scissors, crayola or water colors. D. -Of D^ l^EB 3 .1916 DEPART3IENT OF FREE SCHOOLS. M. P. SHAWKEY STATE SUPERINTENDENT W. C. GIST ASSISTANT STATE SUPERINTENDENT L. L. FRIEND. SUPERVISOR OF HIGH SCHOOLS L. J. HANIFAN SUPERVISOR OF RURAL SCHOOLS GEO. E. HUBBS SUPERVISOR OF EXAMINATIONS JOHN L. RAMSEY STATISTICS AND SUPPLIES EVELYN V. BROWN CLERK LILLIAN CARVER EXAMINATION CLERK ANNA McCLELLAN CLERK RAYMOND A. LEE CLERK LAURA CHAMBERS EDITH PERKINS STENOGRAPHERS J. F. MARSH SECRETARY TO STATE BOARD OF REGENTS M. J. ABBEY (Part Time) SUPERVISOR OF ELEMENTARY AGRICULTURE TEACHING W. W. SANDERS (Part Time)' FIELD WORK AMONG COLORED SCHOOLS STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION. MORRIS P. SHAWKEY, State Supt. of Schools, President, Member ex-officio. WALTER BARNES, Fairmont, First District. Term expires May 30, 1918. J. N. DEAHL, Morgantown, Second District. Term expires May 30, 1917. F. L. BURDETTE, Clarksburg, Third District. Term expires May 30, 1920. J. D. GARRISON, Secretary, Middlebourne, Fourth District. Term expires May 30, 1919. C. R. MURRAY, Bluefield, Fifth District. Term expires May 30, 1916. '^:i INTRODUCTION. This edition of the Examination Handbook con- tains a statement of the legal requirements for all teachers' certificates issued in the State. By the acts of the Legislature of 1915 the general pro- visions for the certification of teachers were con- siderably revised and in this handbook will be found a statement of the most important revisions. It will be noted that the State Board of Educa- tion is authorized to specify most of the conditions for the issuance of certificates upon graduation, or other credentials. These conditions so far as they can be made general are stated in this Hand- book. Persons desiring more definite information should write to the secretary of the State Board of Education, Principal J. D. Garrison, Middlebourne, West Virginia. There are three examinations for teachers' cer- tificates held each year, the dates of which are fixed by the State Superintendent. These examina- tions are held at one or more points in each county under the supervision of the county superintendent. All manuscripts submitted are sent to the State Department of Schools for grading and all certifi- cates are issued by the State Superintendent. It will be noted by reference to sections 57 and 80 of the School Law that every teacher employed in the State is required to hold a valid certificate, and that no salary shall be paid to any teacher unless his certificate is filed. If teachers will be careful in the observance of this provision of the law they will often save themselves much incon- venience. Information concerning examinations may be pro- cured from county superintendents or from the State Superintendent. GENERAL PROVISIONS. (Excerpts from the School Law.) Section 57. No person shall be employed to teach in a free school of this state until he has presented to the board of education having charge thereof, a valid teacher's certificate which shall be filed until the close of the school term with the secretary of the board of education of the district wherein said school is situated, and so endorsed by the secretary, and no salary shall be paid to any teacher unless such certificate be so filed. 5 Subjects Taught. Section 78. In the free schools of this state there shall be taught reading, orthography, penman- ship, arithmetic, English grammar and language, United States and West Virginia history, general and West Virginia geography, civil government, agriculture, physiology and hygiene, and in connec- tion therewith the nature of alcholic drinks and narcotics, with special instruction as to their effect upon the human system; and in addition thereto in high schools, such other subjects as may be required in the course of study prescribed by the state board of education; provided, that the board of education of any district or independent district or any county high school board may establish in the elementary or high schools under their control, schools, depart- ments, or classes for the teaching of manual train- ing, home economics, agriculture, commercial sub- jects and such other industrial and vocational sub- jects as they may determine, and maintain the same from the school funds of their district or county. Said board of education or county high school board may at their discretion provide for the continuance of such industrial and vocational instruction beyond the regular school term. Exaniiiiatioix and Certification of Teachers. Section 80. No person shall be employed to teach in the free schools of this state or shall re- ceive for teaching any part of any free school fund who is not of good moral character and physically and mentally qualified to perform the duties of a teacher, who has not attained the age of eighteen years on or before the first day of September of the year in which his certificate was issued, and who does not at the time he enters upon his duty hold a valid teacher's certificate covering the period of his employment. KINDS OF CERTIFICATES. The acts of the legislature of 1915 provide for the issuance, by the state superintendent of schools, of the following certificates: , 1. Elementary. 2. Short Course. 3. Normal School. 4. High School. 5. Supervisor's. 6. Special. a. Kindergarten. b. Primary. c. Music. d. Drawing. e. Physical Training. f. Home Economics. g. Manual Training, h. Agriculture. (Special certificates in other subjects may be added as the needs of the schools may require.) 7. State Life. (1) ELEMENTARY. (Upon examination only.) There are three grades of elementary certificates, namely, the first, second and third. Applicants for elementary certificates are required to pass a satis- factory examination on the following eleven sub- jects: Orthography, Reading, Penmanship, Arithmetic, English Grammar and Language, Physiology and Hygiene, United States and West Virginia History, Geography, Civil Government, Agriculture, Theory and Art of Teaching. The required average and minimum per cent and the minimum salary for each grade are as follows: First Grade. Average, 90 per cent; minimum, 75 per cent; minimum salary, $50.00 per month. Renewable foi' five-year periods. (For full infor- mation concerning the renewal of this certificate, see page 13.) Second Grade. Average, 80 per cent; minimum, 68 per cent. Not renewable. Minimum salary, $40.00 per month. Third Grade. Average, 70 per cent; minimum, 60 per cent. Not renewable and cannot be issued more than two years in succession to the same per- son. Minimum salary, $30.00 per month. First grade elementary certificates are valid in all the schools of the state; second grade, and third grade elementary certificates are valid in all the grades of the elementary schools, but no person shall be employed as principal of any school who does not hold a first grade certificate or its equiva- lent. (2) SHORT COURSE. (Not issued, upon examination.) The short course certificate is issued to those who have completed the short course in the normal schools of the state, the normal training course in high schools of the state that have been approved by the state board of education, and to those who have completed in other schools of the state a course of study that is, in the judgment of the state board of education, equivalent to the short course offered in the normal schools. This certificate is valid for three years and may be renewed once; it is equivalent to a first grade certificate in the payment of salaries and is valid in all the grades of the elementary schools. For information concerning the renewal of this certificate see page 14. Teachers and students who wish definite informa- tion concerning the short course should write to the principal of the normal school of their choice. The names and addresses of the principals are as follows: 1. Concord Normal School, L. B. Hill, Athens, W. Va. 2. Fairmont Normal School, Joseph Rosier, Fairmont, W. Va. 3. Glenville Normal School, E. G. Rohrbough, Glenville, W. Va. 4. Marshall College, O. I. Woodley, Huntington, W. Va. 5. Shepherd College, Thos. C. Miller, Shepherds- town, W. Va. 6. West Liberty Normal School, John C. Shaw, West Liberty, W. Va. 7. Colored teachers and students should send inquiries to Pres. Byrd Prillerman, Institute, W. Va. (3) NORMAL SCHOOL. (Not issued upon examination.) The normal school certificate, valid for five years, is issued to graduates in the diploma course of the state normal school and its branches, to graduates in the diploma course of the West Virginia Col- legiate Institute, and to those who have completed a diploma course of study in any other school of this or other states that, in the judgment of the state board of education, is equivalent in all respects to the diploma course of study in the state normal school and its branches. Normal school certificates are valid in all the grades of the elementary schools of the state and in high schools, and in the payment of salaries and renewal are considered as first grade certificates. The application blank for this certificate may be obtained from the state superintendent, or the principal of the school from which the applicant has graduated. (4) HIGH SCHOOL. (Upon examination.) Average at least 85 per cent., no grade below 65 per cent., valid in elementary schools as well as in high schools; valid for five years and renewable for five year periods provided the applicant has taught three years during the preceding five year period. (For full information concerning the renewal of this certificate see page 15.) Applicants for the high school certificate are re- quired to pass an examination in ten subjects, four of which are designated by the State Board of Edu- cation, the remaining six being chosen by the appli- cants from an optional list submitted by the Board. For this certificate the four required subjects are: (1) Educational Psychology and Method. (2) History of Education and School Manage- ment. (3) Rhetoric and Composition. (4) Literature — English and American. The remaining six subjects may be elected from the following: History — (1) American History and Civics (2) English History (3) Ancient and Mediaeval His- tory. Language — (1) Latin — thru Virgil (2) Greek - — thru Xenophon (3) German — two years (4) French — two years. Mathematics — (1) Algebra (2) Plane Geometry (3) Solid Geometry (4) Trigonometry. Science — (1) Physics (2) Chemistry (3) Phys- ical Geography and Elementary Geology (4) Botany (5) Agriculture (6) Zoology (7) Physiology. Examinations for this certificate will be offered in connection with the second and third examina- tions for elementary certificates of each year. Questions for these examinations will be sent to those counties only in which there are applicants, and persons intending to take this examination should notify the county superintendent at least three weeks in advance of the examination. (Upon graduation.) The high school certificate is issued to graduates of the West Virginia University and to graduates of other colleges and universities of this and other states who have completed courses of study equiva- lent to the courses offered by the West Virginia University, but each applicant for a certificate upon graduation must have had not less than twenty semester hours in education. This certificate shows the subject or subjects the holder is especially quali- fied to teach. The application for this certificate should be ac- companied by a statement properly certified by the Registrar of the school attended, showing in detail the amount and character of work done by the ap- plicant in educational subjects. Applicants for the high school certificate upon graduation should secure an application blank from the state superintendent or from the secretary of the State Board of Education, Prin. J. D. Garrison, Middlebourne, W. Va. (5) SUPERVISOR'S. (Upon examination.) Supervisors' certificates valid for five-year periods are issued to persons who have taught not less than three years on a first-grade certificate and who pass a satisfactory examination in School Administra- . tion, School Law and the State Course of Study, ^ Hygiene and Sanitation, Psychology and Method, Sociology, and five other subjects chosen by the applicants from the optional list submitted for the high school certificate. Average not less than 85 per cent. No grade below 65 per cent. (Upon graduation.) These certificates are issued to persons who have taught not less than three years on a first grade cer- tificate or its equivalent and who are graduates of the state university, the normal schools or other , schools of the state approved by the state board of education. Applicants for this certificate upon graduation must have had not less than twenty semester hours in education, at least five of which have been in school supervision. Persons entitled to receive this certificate upon graduation may ob- tain the necessary application blank from the state 10 superintendent or the secretary of the state board of education, Prin. J. D. Garrison, Middlebourne, W. Va. (6) SPECIAL. The Special certificate is issued to kindergarten teachers, primary teachers, and special teachers and supervisors of music, drawing, physical training, home economics, manual training, agriculture, and special teachers of such other subjects as the needs of the schools may require. It may be issued upon examination or upon the satisfactory completion of such courses of study as the state board of educa- tion may approve. It is valid for the teaching of the special subject designated and in the payment of salaries is considered as a first grade certificate. (Upon examination.) Primary certificate — Applicants for this certifi- cate must have taught at least two years on a first or second grade certificate; valid in lowest grade in town or city schools having four or five teachers; in first and second grades of town and city schools having six or seven or eight teachers, and in first, second and third grades in town or city schools having more than eight teachers; considered as first grade certificates in determining salary and renewal; average at least 85 per cent; no grade below 65 per cent. • This certificate is designed for those who have made special preparation for primary work. It should be recognized by those seeking teachers as a mark of special proficiency. Those without special training or unusual self-preparation should not expect to secure this certificate. Applicants for the Primary certificate should be familiar with several standard text-books on each subject. As stated above, applicants for the Primary cer- tificate must have taught at least two years on a certificate of first or second grade; but certificates of these or equivalent grades issued in other states or in cities will be accepted as satisfying this re- quirement for admission to the examination. To obtain the Primary certificate applicants are required to be examined in nine subjects, seven of which are prescribed by the State Board of Educa- tion and two are chosen by the applicant from a list of four optional subjects. The prescribed subjects are Elementary Litera- 11 ture, Child Study and School Management, School Hygiene and Sanitation, Primary Reading, Number Work, Nature Study, and Writing. The optional subjects are, History for Children, Story Telling, Drawing, and Music. Examinations for this certificate will be offered in connection with each of the regular examina- tions of the year. Questions for these examinations will be sent to those counties only in which there are applicants, and persons intending to take these examinations should notify the county superinten- dent at least three weeks in advance of the examina- tion. Primary certificates are renewable upon the same conditions as are elementary certificates. For the first renewal no examination is required. Other special certificates are issued to persons who pass a satisfactory examination upon the fol- lowing: (1) The major subject as indicated in the name of the certificate applied for. (2) School Methods and Management. (3) English Grammar (same as for the ele- mentary certificate.) In each case where the same subject appears on different certificates the same list of questions will be used. Applicants for this certificate should give their county superintendent not less than thirty days' notice of their intention to take the examination, indicating the kind of certificate for which they will apply. (Upon credentials.) Special certificates are issued to persons who present to the State Board of Education satisfac- tory credentials showing that they have completed not less than — (1) twenty semester hours in the major sub- ject as indicated in the name of the certificate ap- plied for. (2) twenty semester hours in English. (3) six semester hours in professional subjects. (7) STATE IjIFE. The State life certificate is issued to persons who have taught on a first grade certificate or its equiva- lent for a period of ten years, or who have been otherwise actively engaged in school work for a like period while holding such certificate, and who have 12 shown superior ability or marked progress in their work. This certificate is valid in all the schools of the state and is equivalent to a first grade certifi- cate in payment of salaries. No definite rule for the issuance of this certificate has been made by the State Board of Education, each application being considered separately. Persons who wish to apply for this certificate should write to the State Superintendent or to the Secretary of the State Board of Education for a blank application. This blank is prepared in such a way that applicants can get a fairly good idea of the requirements of the State Board. When apply- ing for this certificate applicants should give as definite answers as possible to all questions, and in addition should have three prominent school men write letters to the State Board concerning the ap- plicant's standing as a teacher with special reference to any of his work which shows "superior ability or marked progress." (8) EMERGENCY. The Legislature of 1911 enacted a law providing for the issuance of emergency certificates. The con- ditions under which these certificates may be issued can best be expressed by quoting the law providing for them. "Sec. 94. Upon the request of the county super- intendent of schools of any county the state superin- tendent of schools may issue emergency certificates, under such regulations as shall be prescribed by the State Board of Education, to persons who were un- able to take any of the regular examinations for reasons that shall be fully explained under oath to the State Superintendent of Schools. For such emergency certificates a fee of $1.50 shall be paid to the County Superintendent of Schools, who shall deposit the same with the Auditor to be credited to the general school fund. Such certificate shall not be issued more than once to the same person and shall be valid only in the county designated in the certificate and shall not be valid after June thirtieth, following the issuance of the certificate. The grade of such certificate shall be determined by the State Superintendent of Schools and shall be indicated on the face of the certificate." This certificate is issued to graduates of four year high schools, standard colleges or normal schools and to those who pass a special examination in Vd Spelling, Arithmetic, Grammar, History, Geography, and Theory and Art of Teaching, provided for by the state board of education. It will not be issued to persons who have failed in the regular examina- tions or to those who have failed to take the ex- amination without sufficient cause. It is expected that it will be used only in rare instances for the benefit of those who come from other states after the regular examination season has closed and for a few who for good and sufficient reasons have not taken the examination. No applications for this certificate are considered until after the first of September and no examina- tion is arranged for until the number of applications on file is sufficiently large to justify the prepara- tion of questions and making provisions for holding the examination. Questions for these examinations will be sent to those counties only in which there are applicants. RENEWAL OP CERTIFICATES. By the acts of the legislature of 1915, the issu- ance of graded school certificates and professional certificates is discontinued, but all such certificates now in force will be valid for the full time for which they were issued. First grade graded school certificates and professional certificates may, upon their expiration, be changed into new forms of cer- tificates if renewal requirements now in force are met. Graded school certificates will be renewed as elementary certificates and professional certifi- cates may be changed into high school, supervisor's, or state life certificates in accordance with condi- tions specified by the State Board of Education. First grade elementary certificates are renewable under the following conditions: For first renewal the applicant must have taught three years of the previous five-year period. For second or third renewal the applicant must have taught three years of the previous five-year period, and must pass a satisfactory examination on two of the teachers' reading circle books. Applicants for second renewal in 1916 will be required to pass an examination on the State Course of Study with Charters' "Teaching the Common Branches" and Betts and Hall's "Better Rural Schools," or In lieu of the examination ou the reading circle books must satisfactorily complete, within the life 14 of the certificate or the year immediately following its expiration, a six weeks' term in the State Uni- versity or one of the State Normal Schools, or any private or denominational school recognized by the State Board of Education or any other approved school. This work shall be of a substantial char- acter and enough of it to count for full time for a third of a semester or six weeks and should be such that the school attended would accept it on a course of some kind towards graduation. The grades on the reading circle books must be at least 75 per cent., and must be high enough to maintain a general average of at least 90 per cent, in order to secure a renewal as a first grade certifi- cate. Persons whose grades are not high enough to secure the renewal of their certificates as first grades may have them renewed as second grade certificates, provided no grade is below 68 per cent., the minimum allowed by law for second grade cer- tificates. The applicant for renewal may take the examina- tion in any county, but the application should be signed by the county superintendent of the county in which the certificate was originally issued or by the superintendent of the county in which the ap- plicant has taught not less than three years. The original certificate accoini>amed by this application must be sent to the Department of Schools. A cer- tificate submitted for renewal must bear proper endorsements showing that the holder has taught not less than three years thereon; but a full year's work in a standard college or normal school or other school approved by the state board of educa- tion, done during the life of the certificate or within the year immediately following its expiration, shall be considered as the equivalent of one year's teach- ing on the certificate. This provision applies to any or all of the years for which the certificate is in force. Applicants for renewal may take examination in any or all of the subjects listed on the certificate with a view to raising the grade on any subject. The application for the renewal of a certificate must be made within one year from the date of its expiration. Any short course certificate may be renewed, upon its expiration, for one period of three years if the holder has taught two years of the previous three year period or has done two year's credit work in an approved high school or standard normal 15 school or other school approved by the state board of education. School work submitted in lieu of teaching on this certificate must be done within the life of the certificate. Normal school certificates, if renewed as such, are subject to the same regulations as elementary- certificates. (See renewal of elementary certifi- cates). Any normal school certificate may be changed into a supervisor's certificate if the holder has taught three years on a first grade certificate or its equivalent and has credit in some approved school for twenty semester hours in education, five of which hours are in school supervision. Persons desiring the renewal of normal school certificates should apply to their county superintendent or the state superintendent for the blank application; if the certificate is to be changed into a supervisor's certificate the blank application may be secured from the state superintendent or the secretary of the state board of education, Prin. J. D. Garrison, Middlebourne, W. Va. Any high school certificate shall, upon its expira- tion or within the year immediately following, be renewable for five-year periods thereafter if the holder thereof has taught successfully or has been otherwise actively engaged in public school work for three years of each five-year period on said certificate. At the termination of the third renewal period the holder of such certificate shall be eligible to receive a high school certificate valid for life, if he has taught or been otherwise actively engaged in public school work for not less than three years of the last five and has maintained an active interest in school work. Any supervisor's certificate shall, upon its expira- tion or within the year immediately following, be renewable for five-year periods thereafter, if the holder shall have been actively engaged in public school work for not less than three years of each five-year period, and upon such other conditions as the state board of education shall prescribe. Any special certificate shall, upon its expiration or within the year immediately following, be renew- able for five-year periods, if the holder thereof has taught successfully or has been otherwise engaged in public school work for three years of each five- year period of the life of the certificate, and upon such other conditions as the state board of educa- tion shall prescribe. Inquiries concerning the renewal of professional 16 certificates should be directed to the secretary of the State Board of Education, Prin. J. D. Garrison, Middlebourne, West Va. EXAMINATION FEES. Each applicant upon taking his first examination of the year shall pay to the county superintendent a fee of one dollar and fifty cents. Any applicant having passed one examination may take subsequent examinations of the year upon payment of the full fee for taking more than half the subjects, or one- half the regular fee for taking a part of the subjects not to exceed one-half. The fee for the privilege of taking the examina- tion for renewal in the applicant's second or third examination for the year is 75 cents. The fee for the emergency certificate is $1.50. The fee for the State Life certificate is $5.00. The fee for the certificate upon graduation is $1.00. The fee for the renewal of a professional certifi- cate is $5.00. THE PURPOSE OF THE EXAMINATION. (a) The primary purpose of the teachers' exam- ination is to determine who shall have the right to teach in the public schools of the state. In this capacity the examination stands as the guardian of the children in "West Virginia. It shall be the aim of the examinations not only to determine the teacher's scholarship but to find out whether he knows a subject from a teacher's standpoint — whether he has a body of professional knowledge about each subject. Every teacher should have definite ideas as to the teaching of each one of the common school subjects. (b) Another use to which the examinations are put is that of spurring teachers to academic and professional growth. Occasionally a question will be used that requires knowledge beyond the ordi- nary text book. The examination will cause the applicant who has depended upon the narrow cram- ming process to feel keenly his limitations. Those who prepare the questions and grade the manu- scripts will hold applicants responsible for a reason- able knowledge of the educational movements in the state — knowledge gathered from institutes, pub- lications by the Department of Schools and the Reading Circle Books. 17 (c) The examination questions are also design- ed to point teachers to essential facts and methods in teaching. HOW TO TAKE AN EXAMINATION. First: The applicant should be on hand prompt- ly at the hour appointed for the beginning of the examination and quietly take the seat assigned him by the examiners. Each applicant must furnish his own pens and holders, ink and pencils. Care should be exercised in choosing these materials. Not infrequently applicants use pens which are not at all suited to rapid writing and in that way get behind in their work. Applicants should read care- fully and answer correctly every question on their part of the enrollment card. THIS IS VERY IMPORTANT. Second: Read carefully the instructions to ap- plicants and be prepared to comply cheerfully with all the rules and regulations. Do not ask the examiners to make any exceptions in your case for they have no authority to do so. Third: When the questions are distributed, each applicant should read carefully the whole list of questions on the subject and decide which ques- tions he will try to answer and mark them. If ten answers are required, the first, ten will be counted and no attention will be paid to the extra answers. If five are required, only the first five will be count- ed and so on. Applicants must decide which ques- tions they will answer; Fourth: Many applicants fail to receive certifi- cates because they omit answers or parts of answers. After you have answered a question, read the ques- tion over again and then read your answer and see if all the essential points have been covered. Fifth: The form of the manuscripts — neatness, paragraphing, language, punctuation, and spelling — has some effect on the value of the answers on all the subjects. The answers should be separated from each other by two or three blank lines and should be numbered in the middle of the page. The blank space at the top of each page should be filled out and the pages numbered. On the back of the last page the following items should be given: Name Subject Address Date Sixth: When the examiners have announced that the time is up, hand in your manuscript with- out delay. Do not ask for more time, as the examiners are instructed not to accept manuscripts which are not handed in on time. GRADES AND GRADING. (a) The grading board consists of fourteen to eighteen members appointed by the State Superin- tendent of Schools. A new board is appointed for each examination, but several of the graders are re-appointed in order to secure more uniformity. The members range in attainments from first grade teachers to college professors. In choosing this board, the aim is to secure graders who thoroughly understand school conditions in this state; who are broad-minded and unbiased in judgment, and whose standing and attainments will bring confidence to the applicants and dignity to the system. (b) Training graders. Before beginning the regular work, the graders meet for instructions and drill. When the graders are assembled with the State Superintendent and his assistants, the Super- intendent takes up a manuscript at random and reads an answer. All the members then silently record a grade. When the grades on that answer are reported, the merits of the answer are discussed and some uniform standard established for similar answers. This training continues through the vari- ous subjects for about one day. Then the graders are instructed and set to work. (c) Further precaution. The Supervisor of Examinations continues to consult with the different graders until a uniform standard is well established. It is his special duty during the grading to see that graders do not grow careless or lose sight of the original standard. The graders consult him in re- gard to the value of unusual answers. (f) An applicant may take all or a part of the subjects in each examination, but he must pay the full fee for the first examination he enters during the year, regardless of the number of subjects he wishes to take. In subsequent examinations of the same year he may take six subjects or fewer by paying one-half the fee. If more than six subjects are taken the full fee is required. ly REVIEWING GRADES. After nearly every examination there are some applicants who complain that they were not given as high grades as their manuscripts deserve. So far as possible graders will review the manuscripts when requested so to do, but experience shows that in a great majority of cases such reviews are fruit- less. Occasionally a clerical error is found, how- ever, and when found is corrected most cheerfully. Naturally persons differ in judgment about the value of answers, but when the board of graders, consti- tuted as it is of experienced educators, determines the standard by which the answers shall be graded, it would be improper for the State Superintendent to make changes in individual cases, and he will not undertake to do so. If an applicant is convinced that there is any serious error in the grading of his papers his claim will be presented to a special review committee whose judgment in the matter shall be final. For the present year Superintendent H. F. Fleshman^ of Hinton, Principal H. C. Robertson of the Tiskel- wah School, Charleston, and Miss Lucy E. Prichard, Head of the Department of "Certificate Course," Marshall College, Huntington, will constitute the review committee. This committee will meet after the close of the examination season to consider applications of those who wish their papers reviewed and a statement of grades or a certificate will be made in conformity to the report of this committee. CORRESPONDENCE. An examination system directly affecting the in- terests of so many naturally makes necessary much correspondence. The following suggestions are made with the hope that those who read them may make their inquiries more effective. (a) In making inquiry about examinations, al- ways state the date and the county and town in which the examination referred to was held. (b) While the Department of Schools is ever ready to serve the teachers directly, it can generally serve them in a more satisfactory way through the- county superintendent, hence the teachers should first correspond with him, then if necessary the case can be referred to the Department of Schools. (c) Do not ask for grades until the regular re- port is made. To answer such requests means end- 20 less trouble and much delay in preparing the grades of the patient thousands who wait. (d) It is a waste of time to ask for a raise in grade as the request is never granted. (e) To accuse those who grade the manuscripts and make up the certificates of intentional unfair- ness is bad professional taste. Constant effort is made to be fair and just to all, and the teachers in their correspondence should recognize this. (f) Teachers should form the habit of using business-size stationery and pen and ink for cor- respondence of this nature. (g) Letters written by teachers should be ex- actly correct in form, spelling and grammatical con- struction, and should be brief and to the point. INSTRUCTIONS TO COUNTY SUPERIN- TENDENTS. The efficiency of the examination depends, in large measure, upon the care and judgment exer- cised by the County Superintendents and their as- sistants. By reference to other pages. County Superinten- dents will find answers to most questions concern- ing examinations. County Superintendents should see that ample notice is given with reference to time and places of holding the examinations. The day before the examination the County Super- intendent should have the examination rooms thoroughly cleaned. All books and papers must be removed from the desks. If possible, vacant seats should separate each applicant from other appli- cants. The enrollment should be completed on the day before the examination is to be held. The County Superintendent and his assistants should have a note of any announcements or regulations to which they wish to call attention. These should be an- nounced promptly and briefly when the applicants have assembled on Thursday morning. County Superintendents should see that an ample supply of examination paper is provided for each examination. A supply sufficient for all the exam- inations of the season is sent out each spring and those in charge of the examinations should see that this paper is not wasted. The County Superintendent or the assistants should go over all the enrollment cards and see that ALL the applicants have answered ALL the ques- tions and filled out ALL the blanks properly. This 21 will save much trouble and delay for both the Department of Schools and the applicant. In filling out his part of the enrollment card, the County Superintendent should mark plainly his grade on Theory and Art. If he wishes to give an applicant no grade on that subject, he should place a cipher (0) in the blank to indicate his intentions, and under "Remarks" give reason. Applicants should be instructed to read carefully and answer correctly every question on their part of the enroll- ment card. The County Superintendent should inspect the enrollment cards of all applicants and make sure that all questions have been answered. These cards should be arranged alphabetically for each separate examination and mailed promptly. Special envelopes for this purpose have been pro- vided. In the first blank space on these envelopes should be written the name of the place where the examination is held. Send the following BY MAIL or PREPAID EXPRESS to the Department of Schools not later than Monday or Tuesday following the examination. (a) Itemized financial report with receipts for all expenditures. (b) Enrollment cards arranged in COMPLETE AND CORRECT alphabetical order. (c) Old certificates of applicants for renewal. New forms of enrollment cards, financial report, and renewal enrollment cards have been provided. No old form should be used. If you do not have a supply of these they will be furnished upon your request which should be made in ample time for shipping. Applicants for primary, high school, supervisor's and special certificates should use the enrollment card printed on blue paper. The only form to be filled out by applicants for renewal of first grade certificates is the yellow en- rollment card. This answers the purpose of an enrollment card and an application for renewal. No applicant from another county who does not have written permission from the County Superin- tendent of the county in which he resides should be admitted to the examination. If the applicant is unknown to the County Superintendent and his as- sistants, further proof of his identity may be re- quired and if there is any doubt as to his character, the County Superintendent should make a thorough investigation before making a favorable recom- mendation. Permits should be filed by the County Superinten- dent in his office. The mailing list is for the convenience of the County Superintendent and should be kept by him for reference. Applicants should be on hand promptly at the be- ginning of each session. In no case will an appli- cant be allowed to begin a subject after the manu- scripts on that subject have been taken up. Examiners are not permitted to discuss questions with applicants nor should they engage in conversa- tion with them during work periods. All questions are presumably intelligible and any reasonable con- struction of the language will be accepted. No person may be admitted to the examination rooms except the examiners and the applicants. No questions on any subject shall be given out until all manuscripts in the preceding subject have been collected. The manuscripts in each subject should be placed in separate envelopes carefully counted and the number indicated on the outside and sealed immediately after they have been col- lected and counted, and the blank on each separate package of manuscripts should be filled out accord- ing to directions. When the package of manu- scripts is sent to the Department, the name and address of the sender should be written plainly on the outside of the package. Care should be taken to see that no one outside the room gets a list of the questions. The opened packages of questions should be guarded very care- fully. Any applicant who expresses a desire to take the examination on any subject and thus secures a list of questions, must remain in the room until the examination on that subject is finished unless ex- cused by those in charge. In no case should an ap- plicant be allowed to begin a subject after another applicant has been excused. While most of our teachers are honest, there may be some in the room who wish to use unfair means in taking the examination. It is due the honest teachers that those in authority be on constant guard to detect such unfairness. When an appli- cant is caught cheating, he should be dealt with promptly, quietly and firmly. Attempts on the part of an applicant to com- municate or copy or to use books or helps is suf- ficient cause for his dismissal from the examination. In the examination for certificates other than ele- mentary, the manuscripts for each half-day's work 23 should be put into a separate envelope and sealed. These manuscripts should not be put into the en- velopes with manuscripts for the elementary certifi- cate. If there is more than one examination in the county, the manuscripts for each should be wrapped separately and the place of holding the examina- tion written plainly on the wrapper of each package. Care should be taken to see that all manuscripts are handed in before the package is sealed, as no credit will be allowed on manuscripts found in the wrong package. If the list of questions on some subject seems long or unreasonable, the County Superintendent and his assistants have no authority to make any allowance on this account, as the Department of Schools will adjust such matters. The time limit and other regulations must be carefully observed regardless of consequences. No person who is or has been connected with any school whose students are applicants in the examina- tion may be appointed as an assistant in the ex- amination. EXAMINATION SCHEDULE. The schedule given below indicates the order of subjects and the time allotment for each subject. These must be adhered to without any variation or change. The hours given in the left hand column are intended merely as a suggestion. In some counties conditions may make it advisable to begin the examinations either earlier or later than is here Indicated: Thursday Forenoon. Assigning seats to appli- cants, announcements, etc. 1/4 hr. History, 1 % hr. Betts and Hall's "Better Rural Schools" 1 % hr. Arithmetic, 2 hr. Charter's Teaching the Common Branches 2 hr. Thursday Afternoon. 1:00 — 2:15. Civil Government, l^i, hr. 2:15 — 4:15. Theory and Art, 2 hr. 4:15 — 5:30. Physiology, 1% hr. 8: :00- - 8: :15. 8: :15- -10: :00. 8; :15- -10; :00. 10: :00- -12: :00. 10: ;00- -12: :00. 24 Fi'iday Forenoon. 7:45- - 9:45. Grammar, 2 hr. 9:45- -11:15. Agriculture, iy2 hr. 1:15- -12:00. Orthography, Friday Afternoon. % hr. 1:00- - 1:30. Penmanship, 1/2 hr. 1:30- - 3:30. Reading, 2 hr. 3:30- - 5:00. Geography, 11/2 hr. Method and Management, and Grammar ( same as for the Elementary certificate) are required of all applicants for Special certificates. Applicants for the Special certificate in Drawing should provide themselves with white drawing paper 9 x 12, draw- ing pencil, scissors, Crayola or water colors. MISCELLANEOUS NOTES. The county superintendent's grade on theory and art. Many teachers seem to have the erroneous idea that the county superintendent must give 20 per cent on theory and art. He may give the full 20 per cent if he considers the applicant perfect on that subject. This grade, ranging from nothing to twenty per cent is determined by the teacher's work in the school room, his personality, his interest in educational meetings, reading circles and other means of professional improvement. Cheating in examinations. According to one of the rules regulating examinations, any applicant caught in the act of trying to use unfair means will be dismissed from the examination room. If plain evidence of cheating is found in the manuscripts of an applicant no certificate will be issued to him. Evidence of cheating in one subject will cause the grades on all subjects to be cancelled. Any one guilty of tampering with examination questions, or using an assumed name will be dealt with according to Sec. 95 of the new School Law. Recommendations. Special recommendations and "pulls" will in no way affect the grades of an ap- plicant as all manuscripts are graded with reference only to what the manuscripts contain. Writing of Certificates, The successful appli- cants in the first and second examinations will re- ceive statements showing their grades in each sub- ject, their average grade and the grade of certificate to which they are entitled. The certificates will not be written until after the third examination. 25 All the certificates will then contain the highest grades made by the applicants during the examina- tion season. This will remove the necessity for the return of certificates on account of receiving certifi- cates of higher grades at the later examinations and will simplify the matter of keeping records both in the offices of the county superintendents and in the office of the State Superintendent. However, if a teacher wishes to contract for a school before his certificate is received he may present to the board of education his official statement showing the grade of certificate to which he is entitled and this will be sufficient evidence to enable the board to accept his contract. Sending out Reports. For convenience in send- ing out the reports of the examinations the State has been divided into three sections. These sec- tions have been re-arranged with a view to making them more nearly equal in the number of applicants in the three examinations. The order of sending out the reports will be so arranged as to bring each section first in one examination, second in another and third in the other. The counties comprising the different sections according to the new plan and the order in which the reports will be sent out are as follows: Northeastern section: Barbour, Berkeley, Brooke, Doddridge, Grant, Hampshire, Hancock, Hardy, Harrison, Jefferson, Lewis, Marion, Marshall, Min- eral, Monongalia; Morgan, Ohio, Pendleton, Preston, Randolph, Taylor, Tucker, Tyler, Upshur, Wetzel. Second in the April examination, first in the June examination and third in the July examination. Middle section: Braxton, Calhoun, Clay, Gilmer, Greenbrier, Jackson, Nicholas, Pleasants, Poca- hontas, Ritchie, Roane, Webster, Wirt, Wood. First in the April examination, third in the June examination and second in the July examination. Southwestern section: Boone, Cabell, Fayette, Kanawha, Lincoln, Logan, Mason, Mercer, Mingo, Monroe, McDowell, Putnam, Raleigh, Summers, Wayne, Wyoming. Third in the April examination, second in the June examination and first in the July examination. Lost Certificate. If a certificate is lost or de- stroyed, the holder thereof should write to the State Superintendent, Charleston, W. Va., requesting a blank form upon which to make application for a duplicate of the certificate which was lost or de- 26 stroyed. Upon return of this affidavit in proper form the State Superintendent will reissue the cer- tificate. Recontracting. If a teacher contracts with the trustees of a school or with the board of education on a certain grade of certificate and at a later ex- amination receives a higher grade of certificate, he cannot compel the trustees or board of education to re-contract with him, unless there was a previous agreement to that effect. However, the board has the authority to make new contracts with teachers if they have sufficient funds at their disposal to warrant them in doing so. Unless the board of education accepts and files the new contract, the teacher cannot compel them to pay the salary for the higher grade of certificate. Teachers ought to be willing to have the new contract begin with the beginning of a new school month. THE ELEMENTARY DIPLOMA. LEGAL PROVISION. The school law prescribes definitely -the courses of study that shall be pursued in the free schools of the state and makes further provisions for the granting of diplomas to such pupils as complete satisfactorily a prescribed course of study. Twenty- five thousand copies of the manual containing the courses of study have been distributed among the teachers and school officers of the state and abun- dant material to enable the teachers to carry out the said courses of study has been provided so that it can be safely said that there is no valid reason why every teacher in the state should not be following the prescribed course of study. The sections of the school law relating to these matters are given herewith. Section 78. In the free schools there shall be taught reading, orthography, penmanship, arithme- tic, English grammar and language. United States and "West Virginia history, general and state geog- raphy, civil government, agriculture, and physiology and hygiene, and in connection therewith the nature of alcoholic drinks and narcotics, with special in- struction as to their effect upon the human system, and in addition thereto in high schools such other subjects as may be required in the course of study prescribed by the state board of education. Section 79. It shall be the duty of the state superintendent of free schools to prepare and dis- 27 tribute a manual containing tlie courses of study prescribed by the committee on course of study and such other matters as may seem necessary to enable teachers to carry out the said courses of study, and his further duty to see that the teachers in all the various schools follow the course of study so prescribed; he shall also provide for the examina- tion and graduation of pupils who satisfactorily complete the said course of study, and shall issue diplomas thereto. This diploma may be secured by passing a satis- factory examination on the following subjects: Reading. Orthography. Penmanship. Arithmetic. English grammar and language. United States and West Virginia history. General and state geography. Civil government. Agriculture. Physiology and hygiene. The amount of preparation expected in each sub- jects is indicated in the manual containing the courses of study. DATES AND PLACES FOR HOLDING TESTS. The State Superintendent fixes the dates and makes other provisions for holding three diploma tests each year. The County Superintendent at his option may hold tests on any or all of the dates fixed but not at any other time. The County Super- intendent also determines the number of places where the tests are to be held in his county and appoints suitable persons to have charge of the work. It is not necessary for this to interfere with the regular work of the school, and under no cir- cumstances should the school be dismissed on this account. The County Superintendent should find out in advance just where the pupils are who desire to take the tests and arrange places accordingly. Experience has shown that in most counties the test can be held at one point in each magisterial district and thereby accommodate all who wish to apply. In conducting these tests the general regu- lations governing teachers' examinations should apply, and any evidence of unfairness on the part of examiners or applicants should be dealt with by the County Superintendent. 28 SUGGESTED SCHEDULE. The following schedule for the elementary diploma test has been prepared in the hope that it will be of some service to the county superinten- dents and teachers in conducting the tests. It may be advisable to change the program slightly in a few instances to adapt it to the local conditions, but in most cases some such program as the one given below will be found helpful. Thursday Forenoon. 9:00- - 9:15. Enrollment, etc. 1/4 hr. 9:15- -10:30. Geography 11/4 hr. 10:30- -12:00. Grammar Thursday Afternoon. IV2 hr. 1:00- - 1:15. Penmanship 1^ hr. 1:15- - 2:45. Reading 11/2 hr. 2:45- - 4:00. Physiology Friday Forenoon. IV4 hr. 9:00- -10:30. Arithmetic 11/2 hr. 10:30- -11:30. Civil Government - 1 hr. 11:30- -12:00. Spelling Friday Afternoon. 1/2 hr. 1:00- - 2:15. Agriculture 11/4 hr. 2:15- - 3:45. History 11/2 hr. GENERAL REGULATIONS. Passing Grades. At a conference of county superintendents at Charleston in January, 1911, it was decided that the passing grade should be an average of, 80 per cent with no grade below 65 per cent in any subject. Grading. The grading of the manuscripts is to be done by the county superintendent and two or more assistants appointed by him if he desires them. The persons so appointed should be of well known character and ability and their names should be published in the county papers so that the gen- eral public may know by whom this work is done. In the matter of grading great care should be exercised. If the grading is too close and severe, it will be discouraging to both the pupils and their teachers and will chill the ambition and hopes of the boys and girls. On the other hand if it is too lenient, the efficiency of the whole system will be lowered and these diplomas will be worthless. 29 The graders should not be too technical, watch- ing for small mistakes and overlooking the broad general grasp of a subject that a pupil may have, yet no pupil should be given a diploma who is notably deficient in these things. Before pupils can expect to receive diplomas they should be able to write good clear English in a legible hand and show definite and certain knowledge of the subjects on which they are being examined. Under no cir- cumstances should any pupil's manuscript be graded by his own teacher. Credit for Former Tests. If the pupil takes more than one test in a school year, he may have the credit for the highest grades in each test at the op- tion of the county superintendent. Also at the option of the county superintendent pupils may re- ceive credit for these grades made in tests previous to this year, if these grades have been properly recorded. The County Superintendent should keep an ac- curate record of the grades made by all applicants and at such times as he finds necessary issue diplo- mas accordingly. No diploma in blank should be sent by the County Superintendent to anyone. Each diploma issued should be signed and sent out by the County Superintendent. SUGGESTIONS TO PUPILS. 1. The following data should be written at the top of each sheet: (a) Name of pupil. (b) Name of subject. (c) Name of school. (d) Date. 2. Write on one side of the paper only. 3. Number the answers to correspond to the questions. 4. All manuscripts should be written in ink. 5. In arithmetic complete solutions should be given. 6. No two pupils taking the test should sit at the same desk. 7. Pupils should not be permitted to leave the room or communicate with any one except the per- son conducting the test. 8. Pupils should not ask the examiner to explain or give information or opinions about questions. Any reasonable interpretation of the questions will be accepted. 9. Pupils should not use books, notes or help of any kind. Makers Syracuse, N. Y. PAT. JAN. 21,1908 019 763 714 6