ers here and there, if not in Lancaster. By the way, I have visited the schools both in Lancaster and Sharon, and made the statements of the paper ten or fifteen per cent. stronger after my visits there. But the gentleman says, we allow the teachers to promote when qualified. Oh yes, you allow them, but the system makes it an impossibility. We can give the boys permission to jump fifteen feet, but they cannot do it; that is what stepping over a grade line means. Why not make it an easy jump of three feet, and give all a chance? How many succeed in being promoted between times under the system in vogue? Not two per cent! We are referred to the Normal examinations; and on that point I will say that I consider it an outrage for examiners to go there and spend several days asking questions often upon matters the teacher has never thought of, and upon such examination condemn them, giving no credit for two years' faithful work. Upon sending a circular to 500 superintendents asking for their opinion as to whether the yearly interval for promotion did not keep back the brighter pupils, 90 per cent. of the answers were affirmative. Does not that indicate that it is worth our while to try something else?

EXAMINING COMMITTEE.

The following resolution was now of fered, which on motion was referred to the Committee on Resolutions:

In order to promote the educational interests of the State, and to aid in the co-ordination of courses of study between different schools, and in view of the fact that, there are not less than 250 different standards of examinations for teachers' certificates, therefore be it.

Resolved, That a committee of nine be appointed by the President of this Association, said committee to report, at next annua! meeting, a plan looking to the establishment of a State. Examining Committee. Said committe to have charge of examinations of all persons applying for certificates to teach in the Commonwealth, including Normal school and permanent certificates and diplomas.

This committee to consist of one county superintendent, one Normal principal, one city or borough superintendent, one high school principal, the State Superintendent of Public Instruction, the president of the Association, and three other members from the Association at large.

Supt. Jos. S. Walton, of Ercildoun, Chester county, read an excellent paper on the "Moral Effect of Public School

Environment," which appeared in The Journal for August, pages 68-73.

THE CHAUTAUQUA FACULTY.

The Chair remarked that as we had been invited here by the Chautauqua managers, and are here as their guests, he had asked them to present their work before the Association, that we may have opportunity of seeing it from their standpoint, and those of us who cannot remain here may take with us a just conception of its scope and prospects. would now give such opportunity, and several of the Faculty would address the Association.

He

Chancellor Schmauk was first introduced. He said that the Pennsylvania Chautauqua means more than a summer picnic, more than the cottages the teachers were occupying with comfort or discomfort, more than the clear skies and breezes wafted about us. He would say that the coming of so many had been a trial of their resources; forty gave warning of their coming, and about ten times that number are here, and it is hard to divide one's self into tenths on short notice. Those of you who examine our work will be surprised at what you find. Dr. De Motte says we are doing university work. Another learned minister remarked that in four weeks here he had learned more about Hebrew and Syriac thar in his entire university career; and we have him with us again. Dr. De Motte was also pleased to compliment our Auditorium upon its magnificent acoustic properties. We have the best teachers we can secure, and you will find they are doing excellent work in language and in art. Our object is to offer higher educato those who are debarred from other universities, and we are accomplishing it.

The following members of the Faculty were then successively introduced, and briefly presented their line of work: Mrs. S. E. Fuller, professor of drawing; Mrs. Louisa Preece, physical culture; Miss. Estella Van Dieman, Latin and literature; Mrs. S. A. Rorer, art of cooking; Prof. Henry W. Elson, university extension, and Prof. Oliver G. Schadt, Dean of the Faculty.

The Committee on Resolutions was announced, as follows: Supts. Hamilton and Coughlin, Prof. A. T. Smith, Miss Nettie S. Malin and Miss Etta Kuhns.

Association then adjourned to meet after return from excursion to Cornwall

Ore Banks; it having first been determined to select place of meeting and nominate officers as the first order, a motion to defer till to-morrow being lost.

THE EXCURSION.

Five well-filled coaches left the station at 2 o'clock for the Ore Mines under charge of Supt. A. D. SMITH, of the Cornwall and Lebanon road.

The trip was full of interest and instruction, especially to those who had never seen such work before. Even those who did not feel like climbing to the top of the hill, and the few who remained on board, enjoyed what was to many a wonderful sight; while those who "took it all in" came back with hands full of more or less curious and valuable “specimens."

All seemed to enjoy themselves, though the afternoon was warm and the climb rather violent exercise; and the Railroad Company had its unanimous vote of thanks.

WEDNESDAY AFTERNOON.

THE

HE place of meeting came up as first after the excursion.

Principal WELSH, of Bloomsburg Normal School, presented the advantages of that town as a meeting place, its location in the north where we had not been for years, its Normal School, hotel accommodations, etc.

Supt. MACKEY, of Butler, thought the western part of the State was the region, and Butler the particular locality, and made the most of its advantages.

Supt. THOMAN presented the historic claims of Gettysburg, as well as its accessibility, literary institutions, etc.

After some good-humored discussion, in which Supt. Hamilton advocated Butler, and Prof. Noetling Bloomsburg, the latter place was selected by a majority vote.

NOMINATION OF OFFICERS.

The following were nominated for officers of the session of 1896:

For President-Supt. A. G. C. Smith, Delaware county.

For Vice-Presidents-Supt. W. H. Slotter, Bucks county; Miss Katie Macniff, Harrisburg.

For Secretary-J. P. McCaskey, Lancaster. For Treasurer-David S. Keck, Kutztown. For Enrolling Committee-A. L. Custer, Lehigh; A. F. K. Krout, Philadelphia; L.

P. Sterner, Bloomsburg ; T. B. Harrison, Luzerne; A. S. Beisel, Carbon.

There being no contest for any of these offices, the members named were afterward elected by the casting of a single ballot. The following nominations were made for other Standing Committees:

For Executive Committee-Dr. J. P.Welsh, Bloomsburg; Profs. Wm. Noetling, Bloomsburg, and J. M. Barton, Shippensburg; Miss Lelia E. Patridge, Philadelphia; Supts. Addison Jones, West Chester, G. W. Weiss, Schuylkill county: David A. Harman, Hazleton, and E. E. Mackey, Butler.

For Legislative Committee-Dr. M. G. Brumbaugh, Chairman, Huntingdon: Dep. State Supt. J. Q. Stewart, Harrisburg; Supts. J. M. Coughlin, Wilkesbarre, and D. S. Keith, Altoona; Col. John A. M. Passmore, Philadelphia; and Prof. Farrar, Allegheny.

The nominations for Legislative Committee consisted of the members of last year with the addition of Prof. Farrar.

Dr. G. W. Hull was nominated by several members for Executive Committee, but excused himself on the ground of several years' continuous service.

Supts. Dean and Gotwals were appointed tellers for the election during tomorrow morning's session.

CHILD STUDY.

Dr. LIGHTNER WITMER, of the University of Pennsylvania, read a paper on this subject, which he said was not in the shape in which he wished his views to appear in print, as he was engaged upon a more extended presentation of them. We accordingly defer to his wishes in the matter, and refer those interested to him for further information.

PENNSYLVANIA HIGH SCHOOLS.

Dr. SCHAEFFER: After stealing a march on the Association in the way of printing a paper in advance for distribution here, I will inflict only a few minutes' talk upon you at this time. I wish to quote Dr. Harris' statement that the average earnings of a Massachusetts man are greater than those of a Pennsylvanian. Is it not worth our while to know why, and whether it is because they have better provision for secondary education? Is it because of his chance at high school training that the average Yankee can earn more than the average Pennsylvanian? We are not up to the mark on this question. How many of our people believe that high schools should be made obligatory? Legislation has done some

Supt. Houser: We may or may not judge of a teacher's work by the sentiment of the community. If the schools. of a community have for some time had the best teaching and discipline, then public sentiment concerning a new man is a good test. If the schools have had poor management for some years, a good teacher will be disliked, on account of the very reforms which he introduces.

Supt. Buehrle: The attendance at a school is one test of a teacher's work. Often two teachers with pupils from the same homes will have schools that differ widely on that point. Another test is the condition of the school when you enter. If as you enter you find every one at work, you are likely to see a good school; but if you find every one looking around, the work must be poor. How to correct this is another matter. It is impossible to give specific advice. We can only suggest where improvements are needed. The care of the health of the children and their general welfare at school is another test. The teacher who does not love her pupils cannot do the best work. She should aim to take the place of the mother while the child is at school. Still another test is the kind of reading the pupils do, over which the teacher can have large influence.

After this discussion Supt. A. G. C. SMITH, of Delaware county, read the following paper on

THE ATTITUDE OF THE SUPERINTEN-
DENT TOWARD THE PROFES-

SIONAL CERTIFICATE.

On the 12th day of July, 1854, the first election for County Superintendents having been held on the first Monday of the previous month, the Superintendent of Common Schools of Pennsylvania, Hon. C. A. Black, called the newly-elected superintendents together at Harrisburg for a conference.

Teachers and their qualifications was one of the subjects which received much of their attention. The scarcity of suitably prepared teachers suggested the idea of dif ferent grades of certificates, and the convention, made up of over forty County Superintendents, recommended to the Department the issuing of three grades of certificates. "But after mature reflection," the State Superintendent says, "I decided on adopting but two-the first permanent, and to entitle the owner to the rank of professional teacher, and the other merely temporary and provisional, and which entitled the holder to no rank in the profession." In order to obtain the first a thorough examination was required. Its requirements were similar to

those for the professional of to-day. It read as follows: "By authority of Law, Common Schools of Pennsylvania, Teacher's Certificate. It is hereby certified that A. B. has passed a thorough examination in Orthography, Reading, Writing, English Grammar, Arithmetic, Geography, and in the Art of Teaching."

Hon. Henry C. Hickok, in his annual report to His Excellency Gov. James Pollock, in 1858, said that incompetent teachers received this grade of certificate from Superintendents, sometimes as favors, others received them because the Superintendents had not been provided with any other kind of certificate, and again the best and most cautious Superintendents discovered, in the course of time, that they had made mistakes in their estimates of teachers' qualifications. He further states, "It resulted from these various causes, that a considerable number of teachers, at the close of the first three years, held the permanent certificate whose qualifications did not entitle them to it, especially in that essential item, the Art of Teaching. Instead of a protection to the schools, these certificates became an imposition upon the public, for directors could place no reliance upon them."

In order to overcome this difficulty a new form of professional certificate was adopted in the fall of 1857, known as the teachers' county certificate. It read as follows: "Act of May 8, 1854. Common Schools of Pennsylvania. Teachers' county certificate. It is hereby certified that A. B. has passed a thorough examination in orthography, reading, history, arithmetic, geography, English grammar and in the art of teaching." It still retains its permanent nature, but is restricted to the county in which it is given. Superintendents were authorized to issue it to all teachers holding a permanent certificate and whose work was satisfactory, and to examine any one about whom they had any doubts, and annul their certificates if the examination should not prove satisfactory.

A county superintendent of one of the counties which has stood in the very front of educational matters in this State in his report for 1858 says: "As many of the teachers of the county received permanent certificates from my predecessor, I have as yet granted none of that class whatever." Bear in mind that these certificates were also spoken of as professionals, and were issued in the same manner as we now issue professionals.

By the Act of Assembly of April 9, 1867, the permanent nature of the professional certificate, was revoked, and the present certificate with which we are all familiar, was authorized in its place. In the mean time United States History was added to the list of studies in which the applicant was to be examined, and at a more recent date physi ology and hygiene. Another very important addition is made to the professional

now issued, wherein it certifies to the good moral character of the holder.

Dr. D. J. Waller, State Superintendent, in his reports for 1890 and 1892, expresses his regrets at finding so large a number of the teachers of Pennsylvania still holding the provisional certificate. It is better that this should be so, than that the standard for admission into the ranks of the professional teacher should be lowered in the least. So far as I know, the graduates of our Normal schools, although the numbers graduating each year are being largely increased, are readily employed, and the supply still does not begin to meet the demand. Hence the necessity for the teacher with the provisional certificate. While some of the conditions continue to exist about as they did years ago, yet they become more favorable each year. The number of professional grade certificates, including those given by the Normal Schools, is rapidly increasing, and the number of provisional certificates gradually decreasing.

From an examination of the reports of the first few years of the County Superintendency, we find that superintendents, with few exceptions, were very liberal in their standard for the granting of professional certificates. Counties which have always been among the first in educational work, gave as many as thirty, forty, and sixty or more professional certificates in one year. Now the same counties rarely give over ten to fifteen, and often as few as five to seven, showing that a decided stand has been taken for higher qualifications. Since the large part of such certificates held to-day have been given under this higher standard, they are entitled to our confidence.

How are professional certificates granted? The law states very clearly that a thorough examination is required in the branches named.

It is the custom of some Superintendents to issue a professional certificate upon the result of the work done at the regular teachers' examinations for provisional certificates provided the work done on such occasions satisfies the examiner that the candidate has reached a suitable degree of proficiency in the studies required and has at the same time shown unusual skill in the Art of Teaching.

Other Superintendents hold examinations at stated periods for those who desire to obtain professional certificates. Only those whose work in the school-room has been satisfactory, are admitted to the class, and if the standard set for the examination is reached by the candidate, a professional certificate is issued.

It seems to me that it makes little difference what the method is, if the proper care is exercised and good results obtained. We can obtain a gradual increase in the standard by requiring still more careful work done in the school-room and a higher percentage of work done in the examinations.

Some Superintendents require a satisfactory examination in additional branches to those named in the professional certificate before they issue the same. This seems to me uncalled for. The law does not require it and the teachers' rights in the matter should be respected.

I would encourage teachers to prepare themselves in other branches than those called for, because it would give them higher standing in the profession. I would even go further and encourage the holders of permanent certificates to add studies to their certificates. The teachers of Delaware county are continually advancing in this way, and the committee on permanent certificates does not hold a meeting at which there are not one or more applicants for additional branches to their already procured permanent certificates. These results may be obtained through the professional zeal of the teachers in any county, judiciously encouraged by the County Superintendent. Under the present laws we have no right to demand them.

A professional certificate may be given upon a teacher's skill in the Art of Teaching alone, even though the standard of scholarship is scarcely fair. Great care should be exercised, however, in the use of this privilege. Where a teacher has been employed in a primary school for a number of years and has shown a special aptness for her work, I believe a professional certificate may be given, and justly so, although she may not have proven herself strong in her studies. Care should be taken not to issue professional certificates to teachers whose scholarly attainments have reached a high standard but whose practice in teaching is only fair. There should be no exception to the rule that a higher standard of teaching is essential for a higher-grade certificate.

I have frequently heard the question of professional courtesy brought up in connection with professional certificates. A Superintendent can not well indorse every professional certificate which comes to him. This Commonwealth is large in territory and varied in interests. Because of many local circumstances, the standard of admission into the profession is much lower in some sections than in others, and the standard for the professional certificate is likely to be correspondingly low. A county with long school terms and high salaries, comparatively speaking, must regard very carefully the applicants with professional certificates who knock at her doors for admission.

It might be well for the Superintendency of the State to advocate a change in the law relating to the granting of permanent certificates, making it necessary for a teacher who secures a professional certificate to add to it, say: Algebra, Book-keeping, Natural Philosophy, Botany, Rhetoric, U. S. Constitution, English Literature and History of Education before he could become eligible as an applicant for a permanent certificate.