The Board will hold two meetings for the examination of teachers in 1894, both of which will be held in Columbus-the first on July 3,4 and 5; the second on December 26, 27, and 28. By unanimous vote, the Board determined that hereafter all applicants for High School Certificates shall be examined in Latin, inasmuch as that subject is now taught in most of our high schools, and that three electives instead of two shall be required. The requirements for the Common School Certificates remain the same as heretofore. The standard for both classes of certificates is as follows: Minimum grade for Common School Certificate, 60; average grade, 80; minimum grade for branches required on a High School Certificate, but not on the Common School, 80. The Board will issue its circular of information for 1894 in a few days. It will be published in the February issue of the MONTHLY. For circulars of information, blank forms for application, and all information, address the Clerk of the Board, Supt. Lewis D. Bonebrake, Mt. Vernon, O. J. W. KNOTT, Clerk. State Association of School This Association met in the Library Building, Columbus, Dec. 26, at 10 A. M., H. M. Parker, President, and J. W. Pfeiffer, Secretary. About sixty examiners were present, more than half the counties of the State being represented. Topics prepared by the committee were taken up in order and discussed informally. The method of appointing examiners, examiners as institute instructors in their own counties, the Boxweli and Workman laws, and free text-books, are the subjects about which most interest seemed to center. The discussion of these topics was animated and much of it was profitable. A distinguished foreigner once stated before the Ohio Teachers' Association that one of the things with which he was impressed in this country was the fondness and readiness of Americans, and especially the teachers, to make speeches. He said he had observed but one public occasion on which an American showed no disposition to make a speech, and that was his own funeral. The speech-making propensity was unrestrained at the examiners' meeting. The time was fully, and for the most part profitably, occupied. The feeling was well-nigh unanimous that some change in the plan of appointing examiners is necessary. None but the best teachers in the county should be appointed on the county board, and the appointments should not be influenced by political considerations. After discussion, each topic was referred to a committee to report action expressing the consensus of sentiment on the subject. The fol lowing resolution in regard to the appointment of County Examiners was presented by A. B. Johnson, chairman of the committee to which the matter was referred: Resolved, That Section 4069 be so changed that the power to appoint County Examiners, now vested in the Probate Court, shall be transferred to the State School Commissioner, who will make the appointments with the advice and approval of the professional teachers of each county; it being understood that professional teachers are those holding life certificates from the State Board, or certificates for five years from the County Board. Though many of the examiners strongly favored the resolution, it was not deemed advisable to press it to a vote, and it was tabled. The following resolutions, presented by Mr. Johnson's committee, were unanimously adopted: Resolved, That we do heartily approve that Section of the School Law which prohibits County Examiners from teaching under pay in the annual institutes of their respective counties, and that such law finds its justification chiefly in the abuses practiced by the unprincipled previons to its passage. Resolved, That the act passed by the General Assembly of Ohio, April 25, 1893, which provides for a uniform system of examination of teachers in the State, and which is already a dead letter on the statute book, should be at once repealed; for we believe that its execution would be prejudicial to the best interests of the common schools of our State. By R. W. Mitchell:-WHEREAS, It appears beyond question from the reports of the county examiners of the various counties, that the condition of the country schools in a large majority of the counties has been greatly improved and will continue to improve under the workings of the Workman Law; therefore, Resolved, That we heartily endorse the Workman Law, but recommend the following changes: I. That members of township Boards of Education be paid $1.50 for each meeting attended. 2. That the time of the meetings of the township boards be changed from Monday to Saturday. Adopted by a unanimous vote. Resolved, That we as an association of school examiners, request the Legislature so to amend the Boxwell Law that the examinations of applicants for admission into high schools may be held either on the first Saturday of March and April, or on the first Saturday of April and May, at the discretion of the county board of School Examiners. Carried unanimously. Resolved, That the school law should be so amended as to allow boards of education to supply textbooks to pupils free of cost. Adopted by a vote of 28 to 8. The following officers were chosen for next year: Pres., J. W. McKinnon, Madison County; Vice Pres., W. A. Trowbridge, Butler county; Sec., J. W. Pfeiffer, Tuscarawas county; Ex. Com., J. B. Mohler, Gallia county, R. W. Mitchell, Mercer county, J. H. Snyder, Seneca county. Field Notes. -Supt. A. S. Draper, of Cleveland, delivered two addresses before the Michigan State Teachers' Association, at Lansing, holiday week. -Holiday institutes were held in Franklin, Jackson, Monroe, Guernsey, and Richland counties. Reports have not been received in time for this issue. -State Commissioner Corson was called from his office at Columbus a short time before Thanksgiving, by the sickness and death of his father at Camden, Preble County, Ohio. -J. C. Conway has resigned the superintendency of schools at Dennison, to take a similar position at Miamisburg. He is succeeded at Dennison by J. V. McMillen, his high school principal. -Supt. Aaron Grady, Ludlow, Ky., reports that his school work on the south side of the Ohio goes on smoothly. An excellent corps of teachers and an appreciative people co-operate to this end. -Prof. A. S. Hill, of Tougaloo University, Miss., sends his subscription to the MONTHLY for 1894, and adds this pleasant note: "Your magazine is the most invigorating of all those that come to me, and I thank you most heartily for its help." -A two weeks' institute will be held in Wood county, beginning Aug. 13, 1894. The instructors for the first week are Supervisor Ellen G. Reveley, of Cleveland, and Supt. Sebastian Thomas, of Ashland; for the second week, Supt. R. H. Kinnison, of Wellington, and Prof. Ed. M. Mills, of Findlay College. -Supt. S. T. Dial, of Lockland, Hamilton county, has recently completed a course of study in the Latin language and literature and in English literature, under the Faculty of Syracuse University, and after an examination lasting eleven days he received the degree of Ph. D. Dr. Dial is to be congratulated. -Mrs. Elizabeth, wife of Andrew Freese, died in Cleveland, Dec. 3, at the age of 64 years. Andrew Freese was a teacher in the Cleveland schools more than forty years ago, and their first superintendent, serving in the latter capacity from ity from 1853 to 1860. Mrs. Freese was born in Haverhill, N. H., and was the daughter of a Methodist clergyman. She received her education in New Hampshire, graduating at Brooklyn Academy. taught school several years in Cleveland, before her marriage, one She year in the Central High School. She was a lady of fine intellectual attainments, and her lady-like bearing and Christian character endeared her to all who knew her. -A special session of the Stark county institute was held at Canton, Dec. 1 and 2. Lectures were delivered by Drs. W. H. Venable, of Cincinnati, and J. J. Burns, of Canton, and papers were read by teachers of the county. Our correspondent reports a "splendid time." A similar session will be held at Massillon in March. -The teachers of Mercer county were in session at Ft. Recovery, Dec. 9. The leading features of the program were, "My Daily Program," by J. C. Arbaugh and John Duncan; "Examinations," by Miss Hedrick and J. S. George; "A Profession or a Stepping-Stone," by Miss Freeman; "Boxwell Law," by J. T. Kenney and R. W Mitchell; "Stupidity Banished," by I. W. Stahl and W. E. Kershner. -The meeting of the Tri-County Association held at Loudonville, Friday evening and Saturday, Dec. 8 and 9, was a success in every way. The attendance was unusually large. State Commissioner Corson was with us and of course delivered an excellent address, upon "The Examination and Preparation of Teachers for Their Work." The resolutions adopted asked examiners to consider favorably membership in the Ohio Teachers' Reading Circle when estimating the merits of appli cants; favored some form of professional training for teachers, under the control of the State: asked examiners to elevate the profession by raising the standard of qualifications; and suggested compulsory township supervision as an amendment to the Workman law. The next meeting will be held at Wooster, March 9 and 10. J. W. SCOTT. -The following topics were announced for general discussion at the Franklin county institute, holiday week: Will Township Supervision Pay? What Books of Reference should be found in the School Room? What School Apparatus do we Need? Should the High School Course Prepare for College? Should We Have Free School Books? Should Each Director be Allowed to Choose His Own Teacher? Shall We Avail Ourselves of the Provisions of the Boxwell Law? What is to be Done with the Small Schools in the Country Districts? Should Lady Teachers Receive the Same Wages as Men? Should Vocal Music be Taught in the Schools? What are the Evidences of a Teacher's Success? What School Needed? Legislation is How can We Enforce the Compulsory School Law? How can the Co-operation of Parents be Secured? Should the Wages of Teachers be Uniform? -The Montgomery County Teachers' Association held its first bimonthly meeting at Dayton, Nov. 18, which was one of the best ever held in the county. The program consisted of "Teaching Uncle Sam's Boy to Know and Love Correct English," by Supt. B. B. Harlan, of Middletown, O., followed by discussion. Culture," by J. P. Landis, Ph. D., which was greatly appreciated by all. "Non-Professional Spirit of Teachers," by Supt. W. O. Smith, of Dean, O. Association adjourned to meet in two -GREENE COUNTY:-We are indebted to Miss Emma Krise, of Alpha, for a very interesting and encouraging report from Greene county. The meeting of the county. association, Dec. 16, was large and enthusiastic. Indeed it is claimed that Greene has the largest county association in the State. Beaver Creek township-dear old Beaver Creek! The writer did his best in that township, for two years, more than thirty years ago; and some of his best boys of that time sleep on Southern battlefields-Beaver Creek has long had a township superintendent and a high school. Miss Villa Moore is now principal of the high school and also township su perintendent, and we learn that the schools were never in better condi In tion than they are at present. connection with the high school, there is stable room for eighteen horses and sheds for vehicles; and fifteen of these are occupied daily in term time. Miss Krise says that even the smallest child in her school is stimulated by the hope of one day graduating from the high school. That is the kind of farming community to live in. The Darke county directors and teachers met in the high school chapel at Greenville, Dec. 16. Commissioner Corson and Dr. C. W. Bennett each made an address in the forenoon, and again in the afternoon. The former talked on the "Benefits of an Education," and "Some Things a Pupil Has a Right to Expect of the Teacher;" the latter had for subjects, "The Teacher's Resources," and "Literature in Common Schools." The attendance was exceptionally large and the addresses very popular. F. G. C. -The teachers of Scioto county held a meeting at Lucasville, Saturday, Dec. 2, with the following program: Vocal Music, by J. S. Thomas; discussed by John Warren. Physical Culture, by C. D. Walden; discussed by T. C. Beatty. School Government, by C. B. Pyle; discussed by J. C. Tatman. Wanted -A Teacher, by D. H. Wade; discussed by Miss Alnore Arnold. U. S. History and Civics, by Joseph Freeman; discussed by Simeon Johnson. Geography, by L. E. Nourse; discussed by Mamie Jack |