LB L3. J HF- '^ : .W■^ ' ; THE EXAMINATION HANDBOOK State of West Virginia Department of Free Schools Charleston 1915. rnmuNE pmNTiNa CO., cHXRLesTON, w. va. IVsi^ UI^T^x^v^^-^^^fct^ ch/^.f^Jutu^c&Xl 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 1915 t'eb. ',- Mar. 2r,-26 May IS-IJ, April 1- 2 EXAMINATION DATES FOR 1915. First Test for Elementary Diplomas. Sec6nd Test for Elementary Diplomas. Third Test for Elementary Diplomas. Examination for Elementary, Renewal and Primary Certificates. June S- -'/ Examination for Elementary, Renewal, High School, Primary, Supervisor's and Special Certificates. July 22-23 Examination for Elementary, Renewal, High School, Primary, Supervisor's and Special Certificates. In making inquiry about examinations, always state the date and county and toitm in which the examination referred to was held. D, of D^ ilAR^ ids ^ -Department of free schools. M. P. SHAWKEY, State Superintendent. GEO. E. HUBBS, Supervisor of Examinations. L. L. FRIEND, Supervisor of High Scliools. L. J. HANIFAN, Supervisor of Rural Scliools. M. J. ABBEY, Supervisor of Agricultural Education. W. C. GIST, Publications and Correspondence. JOHN L. RAMSEY, Supplies and Shipping. EVELYN V. BROWN, Statistics and Accounts. LILLIAN CARVER, Examination Clerk. LAURA CHAMBERS, Stenographer. R. A. LEE, Clerk. J. F. MARSH, Secretary to State Board of Regents. STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION. MORRIS P. SHAWKEY, State Supt. of Schools, President, Member ex-ofRcio. WALTER BARNES, Fairmont, First District. Term expires May 30, 1918. J. N. DEAHL, Morgantown, Second District. Term expires May 30, 1917. H. F. FLESHMAN, Hinton, Third District. Term expires May 30, 1915. J. D. GARRISON, Secretary, Middlebourne, Fourth District. Term expires May 30, 1919. C. R. MURRAY, Williamson, Fifth District. Term expires May 30, 1916. I-h^TRODVCTION. 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 provisions for the certification of teachers have been consider- ably revised and in this handbook will be found a statement of the most important revisions. It will be noted that the state board of education is authorized to spesify most of the conditions for the issuance of certificates upon graduation or other credentials. These conditions, so far as they can be made general, will be published as soon as the board has had time to give the matter consideration. Persons desiring information concerning certifi- cates upon graduation should write to the secretary of the state board of education, Prin. J. D. Garrison, Middlebourne, W. Va. Information concerning ex- aminations may be obtained from the state superin- tendent. GENERAL PROVISIONS. (Extracts 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. Subjects Taught. Section 78. In the free schools of this state there shall be taught reading, orthography, penmanship, arithmetic, English grammar and language. United States and West Virginia history, general and West Virginia geography, civil government, agriculture, physiology and hygiene, and in connection 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, departments, or classes for the teaching of manual training, home economics, agriculture, commercial subjects and such other industrial and vocational subjects 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 indus- trial and vocational instruction beyond the regular school term. • Examination and Certification of Teachers. Section 80. No person shall be employed to teach in the free schools of this state or shall receive 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 certifi- cate 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. e. 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. ELEMENTARY. (Upon examination only.) There are three grades of elementary certificates, namely, the first, second and third. Applicants for the elementary certificates are required to pass a satisfactory 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. Renew- able for five-year periods. (For full information concerning the renewal of this certificate, see page 10) 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 person. 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 equivalent. (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 tp a first grade cer- tificate 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 11. (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 Collegiate Institute, and to those who have completed a diploma course of study in any other school of this or otlier 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 irom the state superintendent, or the princi- pal 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 12.) For the high school certificate the five following groups of subjects have been prescribed from which ten branches shall be chosen, four by the State Board of Education and six by the applicant: Professional Suhjects. (1) Educational Phychol- ogy and Method; (2) History of Education and School Management. English and History. (1) Rhetoric and Composi- tion; (2) English and American Literature; (3) American History and Civics; (4) English History; (5) Ancient History and Mediaeval History. Langxtage. (1) Latin — through Virgil; (2) Greek — through 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) Physi- cal Geography and Elementary Geology; (4) Bot- any; (5) Agriculture; (6) Zoology; (7) Physiology. 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 branches may be chosen by the applicant from the list given. Examinations for this certificate will be offered in connection with the second and third uniform examinations of the year. Questions for these ex- aminations 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 equivalent to the courses offered by the West Virginia University, but each applicant for a certificate upon graduation must have not less than twenty semester hours in education. This certificate shows the subject or sub- jects the holder is especially qualified to teach. 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, Mid- dlebourne, W. Va. (5) SUPERVISOR'S. (Upon examination.) The supervisor's certificate, valid for five years and renewable for five-year periods, is issued to persons who have taught not less than three years on a first grade certificate, and who pass a satisfactory examina- tion upon a list of subjects designated by the state board of education. This list will be prepared in time that questions may be submitted in the June and July examinations. (Upon graduation.) This certificate is issued to persons who have taught not less than three years on a first grade certificate 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 gradu- ation 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 obtain the necessary application blank from the state 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 9 t3achers, 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 education 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. 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. (7) HTATE LIFE. 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 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. ■ (8) EMERGENCY. The Legislature of 1911 enacted a law providing for the issuance of emergency certificates. The con- ditions under which these cer'ificates 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 super- intendent of schools may issue emergency certifi- cates, under such regulations as shall be prescribed by the State Board of Education, to persons who were unable 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 10 Superintendent of Schools and shall be indicated on the face of the certificate." This certificate is issued to graduates of standard colleges or normal schools and to those who pass a special examination provided for by the state board of education. It will not be issued to persons who have failed in the regular examinations or to those who have failed to take the examination 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 examina- tion season has closed and for a few who for good and sufficient reasons have not taken the examina- tion. RENEWAL OF CERTIFICATES. By the acts of the legislature of 1915, the issuance of graded school certificates and professional certifi- cates is discontinued, but all such certificates now in force will be valid for 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 certificates if renewal requirements now in force are met. Graded school certificates will be renewed as elementary certifi- cates and professional certificates may be changed into high school, supervisor's, or state life certifi- cates in accordance with conditions 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, dnd must pass a satisfactory examination on two of the teachers' reading circle books. Applicants for second renewal in 1915 will be re- quired to pass an examination on the State Course of Study with Charters' "Teaching the Common Branches" and Barnes' "English in the Country Schools; or In lieu of the examination on the reading circle books must satisfactorily complete, within the life 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- ~ 11 — 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 main- tain a general average of at least 90 per cent, in order to secure a renewal as a first grade certificate. 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, pro- vided no grade is below 68 per cent., the minimum allowed by law for second grade certificates. 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. Tine original certificate accompanied by this application must be sent to the Department of Schools. A certifi- cate submitted for renewal must bear proper endorse- ments 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 education, done dur- ing the life of the certificate or within the year im- mediately following its expiration, shall be considered as the equivalent of one year's teaching on the certifi- cate. 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 school or other school approved by the state board of educa- tion. School work submitted in lieu of teaching on this certificate must be done within the life of the certifir"*o. Normal school certificates, if renewed as such, are subject to the same regulations as elementary certifi- cates. (See renewal of elementary certificates). Any normal school certificate may be changed into a - 12 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 shoulu 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 ap- plication may be secured from the state superinten- dent 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 beei otherwise actively engaged in public school work for three years of each five-year period on said certifi- cate. At the termination of the third renewal period the holder of such certificate shall be eligible to re- ceive 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 education shall prescribe. 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 examination 13 for renewal in the applicant's second or third exami- nation for the year is 75 cents. The fee for the emergency certificate is $1.50. All applicants for certificates upon graduation or other credentials shall each pay a fee of one dollar to the state superintendent of schools, to be trans- mitted to the Auditor. THE PURPOSE OF THE EXAMINATION. (a) The primary purpose of the uniform examina- tion 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 chil- dren 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 sub- ject from a teacher's standpoint — whether he has a body of professional knowledge about each branch of study. Each 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 ordinary text book. The examination will cause the applicant who has depended upon the narrow cramming process to feel keenly his limitations. Those who prepare the questions and grade the manuscripts will hold applicants responsible for a reasonable knowledge of the educational movements in the state — knowl- edge gathered from institutes, publications by the Department of Schools and the Reading Circle Books. (c) The examination questions are also designed to point teachers to essential facts and methods in teaching. HOW TO TAKE AN EXAMINATION. First: The applicant should be on hand promptly at the hour appointed for the beginning of the ex- amination 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 infre- quently applicants use pens which are not at ak suited to rapid writing and in that way get behind in their work. Applicants should read carefully and answer correctly every question on their part of the enrollment card. THIS IS VERY IMPORTANT. Second: Read carefully the instructions to appli- 14 cants and be prepared to comply cheerfully with all the rules and regulations. Do not ask the ex- aminers 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 questions he will try to answer and mark them. If ten an- swers are required, the first ten will be counted anc no attention will be paid to the extra answers. If five are required, only the first five will be counted and so on. Applicants must decide which questions 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 anr 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 bad, 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 without 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 arc broad-minaea and unbiased in judgment, and whose standing and attainments will bring confidence to the applicants and dignity to the system. i5 (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 Superin- tendent 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 uni- form standard established for similar answers. This training continues through the various subjects for about one day. Then the graders are instructed and set to work. (c) Further precaution. The Supervisor of Ex- aminations continues to consult with the different graders until a uniform standard is well established, ft 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 h( wishes to take. In subsequent examinations of the same year he may take six subjects or fewer by paying one-half the fee. If hiore than six sub- jects are taken the full fee is required. 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- 16 wah School, Charleston, and Miss Lucy E. Prichard, of 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 fe the report of this committee. CORRESPONDENCE. An examination system directly affecting the in- terests of so many naturally makes necessary much ':;orrespondence. 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 ioirn 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 report is made. To answer such requests means endless 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 exactly correct in form, spelling and grammatical construc- tion, and should be brief and to the point. INSTRUCTIONS TO COUNTY SUPERINTENDENTS The efficiency of the examination depends, in large measure, upon the care and judgment exercised by the County Superintendents and their assistants. By reference to other pages. County Superinten- dents will find answers to most questions concerning examinations. (a) County Superintendents should see that ample notice is given with reference to the times and places of holding the examinations. 17 (b) The clay before the examination the County Superintendent 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 applicants. (c) The enrollment should be completed before the time arrives for the examination to begin. 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 as too much talking on the part of officials is a nuisance. (d) No applicant from another county who does not have loritten permission from the county super- intendent of the county in lohich he resides should he admitted to the examination. If the applicant is unknown to the county superintendent and his assistants further proof of his identity may be re quired and if there be any doubt as to his character the county superintendent should make a thorough investigation before making a favorable recommenda- tion. (e) Care should be taken to see that no one out- side the room gets a list of the questions. The opened packages of questions should be guarded very carefully. Any applicant who expresses a de- sire 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 excused by those in charge. In no case should an applicant he alloived to hegin a subject after an- other applicant has heen excused. (f) If the list of questions on some subject seems long or unreasonable, the county superintendent and the assistants have no right 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. (g) Care should be taken to see that all manu- scripts are handed in before the package is sealed as no credit will be allowed on manuscripts found in the wrong package. (h) No questions on any suhject 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 and sealed immediately after they have been collected, and the blanks on each separate package of manuscripts should be filled out according to directions. When 18 the package of manuscripts is sent to the Depart- ment, the name and address of the sender should be written plainly on the outside of the package. (i) 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. (j) County Superintendents should see that an ample supply of examination paper is provided for each examination. A supply sufficient for all the examinations of the season is sent out each spring and those in charge of the examinations should see that this paper is not wasted. (k) No person who is or has been connected with any school tohose students are applicants in the examination viay he appointed as an assistant in the examination. (1) While most of our teachers are honest, there may be some one in the room who wishes to use un- fair means in taking the examination. It is due the honest teachers that those in authority be on con- stant guard to detect such unfairness. When an applicant is caught cheating, he should be dealt with promptly, quietly and firmly. Attempts on the part of an applicant to communi- cate or copy or to use books or helps is sufficient cause for his irnmediate dismissal from the exami- nation. (m) In filling out his part of the enrollment card, the county superintendent should mark plainly his grades 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 grade. Ap- plicants should be instructed to read carefully and answer correctly every question on their part of the enrollment 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. 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 coun- ties conditions may make it advisable to begin the examinations either earlier or later than is here Indicated: 19 THURSDAY FORENOON. 8:00 — 8:15. Assigning seats to applicants, announcements, etc., i/4 hr. 8:15—10:00 History, 1% hr. 10:00—12:00. Arithmetic, 2 hr. AFTERNOON. 1:00— 2:15. Civil Government, 2:15— 4:15. Theory and Art, 4:15 — 5:30. Physiology, FRIDAY FORENOON. 7:45- - 9:45. Grammar, 9:45- -11:15. Agriculture, 11:15- -12:00. Orthography, AFTERNOON. 1:00- - 1:30. Penmanship, 1:30- - 3:30. Reading, 3:30- - 5:00. Geography, 1% hr. 2 hr. 1% hr. 2 hr. ly. hr. % hr. y2 hr. 2 hr. 11/2 hr. 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 tvi^enty 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 profes sional 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 appli- cant as all manuscripts' are graded Avith reference only to what the manuscripts contain. Writing of Certificates. The successful applicants in the first and second examinations will receive statements showing their grades in each subject, their average grade and the grade of certificate to which they are entitled. The certificates will not be written until after the third examination. All the certificates will then contain the highest grades made by the applicants during the examination sea- son. This will remove the necessity for the return of certificates on account of receiving certificates 20 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 tefore his certificate is received he may present to the bo.ard of education his official statement showing the grade of certificate to v/hich he is entitled and this will be sufficient evidence to enable the board to accept his contract. Sending out Reports. For the purpose of sending out the reports of the examination the state has been divided into three sections. In the three exami- nations 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 sec- tions and the order in which the reports will be sent out are as follows: Eastern section: Barbour, Berkeley, Grant, Hamp- shire, Hardy, Harrison, Jefferson, Marion, Mineral, Monongalia, Morgan, Pendleton, Pocahontas, Preston, Randolph, Taylor, Tucker, Upshur. Second in the April examination, first in the June examination and third in the July examination. Middle section: Braxton, Brooke, Calhoun, Clay, Doddridge, Gilmer, Greenbrier, Hancock, Lewis, Mar- shall, Nicholas, Ohio, Pleasants, Ritchie, Tyler, Web- ster, Wetzel, Wirt, Wood. First in the April exam- ination, third in the June examination and second in the July examination. Southwestern section: Boone, Cabell, Fayette, Jackson, Kanawha, Lincoln, Logan, Mason, Mercer, Mingo, Monroe, McDowell, Putnam, Raleigh, Roane, 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- stroyed. Upon return of this affidavit in proper form the State Superintendent will reissue the certificate. Recontracti7ig. 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. Hov/ever, 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 educa- tion 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. 21 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 abundant 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 follov/ing 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, arithmetic, English grammar and language. United States and West Virginia history, general and state geography, civil government, agriculture, and physiology and hygiene, and in connection therewith the nature of alcoholic drinks and narcotics, with special instruc- tion as to their effect upon the human system, and in addition thereto in high schools such other sub- jects as may be required in the course of study pre- scribed by the state board of education. Section 19. It shall be the duty of the state superintendent of free schools to prepare and dis- tribute a manual containing the 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 ex- amination and graduation of pupils who satisfac- torily 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- ject is indicated in the manual containing the courses of study. DATES AND PLACES FOR HOLDING TESTS. The dates for holding the elementary diploma tests in 1915 are as follows: (1) Thursday and Friday, February 4-5. (2) Thursday and Friday, March 25-26. (3) 'Thursday and Friday, May 13-14. 22 The county superintendent at his option may hold tests on any or all of the above dates but it will be impossible for him to arrange for tests at any other time. It is also his duty to determine at how many places in the county the tests will be held. Usually, the tests are held in each district or at such central points as will accommodate the greatest number oi pupils. It is not necessary for the tests to interfere with the regular work of the school, and under no circumstances should the school be dis- missed for the purpose of holding the tests. If the teacher of the school at which a test is to be given cannot conduct the test, it would be well for the county superintendent to arrange for some capable and trustworthy citizen to take charge. The county superintendent should find out considerably in ad- vance of the test just where the pupils are who desire to take the tests and arrange suitable places accordingly. In no case should a pupil be deprived of the privilege of taking the test on account of the distance or inaccessibility of the place of the test. 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 superintendents 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. 9:15—10:30. Geography 10:30—12:00. Grammar. THURSDAY AFTERNOON. 1:00 — 1:15. Penmanship 1:15 — 2:45. Reading 2:45— 4:00. History. FRIDAY FORENOON. 9:00—10:30. Arithmetic 10:30—11:30. Civil Government 11:30—12:00. Spelling. FRIDAY AFTERNOON. 1:00— 2:00. Agriculture 2:00— 3:00. Physiology. 3:00— 4:00. State History, GENERAL REGULATIONS. Passing Grades. At a conference of county super- intendents 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 tbe gen- Vi hr. 1% hr. 11/2 hr. % hr. 11/2 hr. IVi hr. 1% hr. 1 hr. V2 hr. 1 hr. 1 hr. 1 hr. 23 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. The graders should not be too technical, watching 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 circumstances 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 test year, he may have the credit for the highest grades in each test at the option of the county superintendent. Also at the option of the county superintendent pupils may receive credit for grades made in tests previous to this year, if these grades have been properly recorded. 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 tests 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. S. 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. LIBRARY OF CONGRESS 019 763 712 2