Examining and certificating teachers

Abstract

One of the first laws in the United States on the subject of examining and certificating teachers was passed in Massachusetts in 1826. It stated that the School Committees should ascertain the qualifications of the teachers by personal examinations, "or otherwise". From that time till within recent years the "or otherwise" was gradually pushed to the wall until at last an examination became almost the sole means of getting into and of staying in the teaching profession. It is the purpose of this paper to examine the present conditions to see if there are any tendencies one way or another.