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     The volume of work handled by the examining committee has Increased slightly over the preceding biennium. There have been assigned during this last biennial period approximately 38,000 registration numbers, as against 36,000 in the preceding biennial period.

     There have been submitted in the biennium a total of 152,821 answer papers. These average slightly more than three pages for each answer paper. It would he safe to say that the committee has read and valued 500,000 pages o written manuscript in the biennium.

     Since the present law went into operation in 1905, the total number of manuscripts submitted is slightly less than 400,000 and the number of pages of written manuscript submitted will approximate 1,250,000. About 3,000 different persons participate in each month's examination. Practically one-half of these use examination rights arising from preceding month's registration. The, number of new registrations each month Is slightly in excess of 1,500. A record must be made for each party participating in the examinations and for each month that party participates in the examination. Hence, the recorders make on an average more than 3,000 records of individual examinations each month. Where the parties are continuing their examinations, the record is written twice. Where the examination is new, the record is written three times, as we find it necessary to carry the record both by name and by number. The recorders must, therefore, write on an average 1,500 individual examination records three times in a given month and 1,500 other examination records twice, or the equivalent of 7,500 examination records, each month. Each one of the 7,500 examination records has on an average seven separate number entries which must be verified and checked.

     It is difficult to determine how many different names we are now carrying upon our records, from the fact that the present law requires a different record for each county. Thus, as teachers pass from county to county, new records must be formed in this office. Only an approximation, therefore, can be made as to the number of teachers whose records are being carried, without checking out and tabulating the total number of registrations for the state. This would be a great undertaking. We have about 65,000 different records in the examination series. These 65,000 records represent the registrations of teachers throughout the various counties and, as I have stated, one teacher may have several different records by reason of having taught in that many counties.

     I believe there are about 40,000 different names now carried on

the examination record. Of these, approximately 20,000 are active, that is, they are names of teachers actively engaged in school work or the names of candidates for certificates, who have not yet completed the examinations but who are still continuing the same. This shows that we are now carrying upon the records of the examinations from 40,000 to 45,000 individual records which are either duplicates or are the records of parties who have dropped out of the teaching profession.

     The number of withdrawals from the teaching profession in a given year approximates 2,000. This applies to the holders of what we now designate as county certificates. It does not include those who hold any of the Institutional certificates nor to those who hold the life professional certificate. The number of those who attempt the examinations, but find themselves insufficiently trained to meet the tests, is approximately 4,000 in a given year. In all, about 25,000 records are covered in this class in the five years of the present system of examinations. This leaves about 20,000 records carried, by reason of teachers passing from one county to another and because the law compels a county record of examinations. The amount of work, by reason of the duplication of these 20,000 records, is very considerable and, in my judgment, accomplishes little good.

     Our examinations are uniform. The standard of grading the answer papers is the same throughout the state. This is accomplished by giving to one party all of the answer papers in a given subject. One reader grades all of the history papers, another all of the grammar, and so on.

     It would seem desirable that the law governing the registration for the county examinations be so amended that it would not be necessary to carry duplicate examination records in each county where a teacher may secure a position.

     When the present law was drawn it was necessary to provide for examinations at frequent intervals. The state had but one normal school in operation, although the second had been located and was being constructed. This represented practically the sum total of the state's preparation for teacher's training. Since 1905, the state has completed the normal school then in process of construction and has established two others, one of which is in active operation and the other will begin operations soon. There has also been established normal training in approximately 112 high schools of the state. The University has established a teacher's college and there are eleven private and denominational schools meeting the requirements of law for granting some or all of the various kinds of institutional certificates authorized under our law.

     The number of students in the teachers' courses In the various private and denominational schools is not easily determined. From

the incomplete data available, I should say that not less than 1,500 students in private and denominational schools are preparing directly for the teaching profession. The number preparing for the teaching profession in the state normal schools and the normal training high schools at this time approximates 3,500, as against approximately 500 in 1905. This would make a total of 5,000 students now in school who are shaping their course toward the teaching profession. By reason of this great number of students who are making thorough and exhaustive preparation for teaching, greater restrictions should be placed upon the qualifications for teaching than were possible six years ago, In fact, it would be unjust to those who are making careful and expensive preparation now to subject them to the competition of those of lower training. These well trained young people from the state normal schools and the normal training high schools will not need the numerous examinations heretofore deemed desirable. Their preparation for teaching involves a minimum period of one full year. Very few crowd their preparation for teaching Into one year. Most of them are taking two years for direct preparation for teaching. When I say this, I do not refer to the total sum of academic training above the eighth grade. All of the 3,100 who are now in the normal training high schools and state normal schools must devote a minimum of four years of academic preparation above the eighth grade. Nearly all of them will, during two years of this period, study teaching as a science.

      Another phase of our present examination system demands consideration. I refer to the fact that by uniform custom the county superintendents of the state have for years devoted Saturday to office work. This means consultation with school officers, patrons and teachers on every phase of school administration of the county. Saturday is the most convenient day, as it is the day on which there is no session of school, and upon which the people living in the country find it most convenient to visit the county seat. Clearly, Saturday should be kept free for the county superintendent to devote his energies to this phase of his office duties. He is not free to attend to these office duties if he must look after the written examinations of from ten to fifty teachers and prospective teachers. The county superintendent's office day and the examination date should not coincide.

     The present law is somewhat cumbersome in its methods of reaching the final certification of the teacher. The report of the examination is mailed first to the county superintendent and by him to the teacher. When the teacher has earned a certificate, the certificate is issued by the county superintendent and later reported to the state superintendent. I have stated this complicated process very briefly. There are so many different steps in the certification of teachers that delay is inevitable. A mistake in copying a grade may occur, or a teacher may misnumber her answer paper. Either of these would delay the work

very materially and is a source of great annoyance to the office, the county superintendent, and to the teacher. We have now in the office probably a thousand answer papers without any identification number, or an incorrect number. These are papers, the author of which we have not been able to discover. We write to county superintendents, sending headings of the papers, but in some cases they are unable to have the paper identified. These latter make up the thousand or more papers which we now hold as unidentified.

     Also, the source of grades through the normal training courses, through acceptance from other states, and from the second grade or elementary state certificate, causes some confusion. This is inevitable. The ninety-two county superintendents of the state cannot be expected to understand and keep in mind at all times the law governing examinations and certifications.

     In view of the above facts, I submit three recommendations:

     First -- That the examination record in the state superintendent's office be carried solely with the individual. That all designation of county be removed from these examination records. This would require that the fees be separated. One for examination and a separate fee for registering the certificate.

     Second -- That the number of examinations be materially diminished. I suggest that four in a year or, at the utmost, five would cover every need of the state at this time. These should be distributed approximately as follows: One in the winter, say January or February; the second in April, the third in June, the fourth In July about the close of the summer schools and a fifth in October. I believe It would be even possible to dispense with the April examination.

      I suggest that these examinations be given covering a period of three days. Wednesday, Thursday and Friday would be the most convenient for all concerned.

     Third -- That all certificates be issued and filled out by the state superintendent, but that in order that they may be validated in any county they must be presented to the county superintendent and registered by him for that county. In this connection I would suggest further, that all certificates be made to expire on the first day of July, no matter what time they are issued. The third grade certificates might be discontinued. The second grade and the first grade certificates should be continued and their period of validity should be placed upon the certificate when issued by the state superintendent. Such a certificate would give to the teacher at once free opportunity to compete and become a candidate for any school in the state for which the grade of certificate held by her would qualify her. It would not be necessary for her to wait for a transfer or a re-issuance of certificate.

     Note: -- All names in capitals indicate institutions requiring for graduation the completion of a full four-year course above a full four year high school course. Such names in black faced type indicate that such institutions have been approved by the state superintendent of public instruction under sections la and 1b, and sections 6, 7 and 8, subdivision 9, school laws of Nebraska, and authorized to grant teachers' certificates on the basis of the University of Nebraska, and on the basis of the state normal schools.

     ***Approved only on basis of University of Nebraska,

     *Approved only on basis of state normal schools.

     **Will open for summer term, June, 1911.

     To Applicants for Certificates from Recognized Institutions:

     This bulletin has been prepared for the purpose of giving you Information which will enable you to decide definitely on the course of study you should pursue and just what work you need to take in order to qualify for a teacher's certificate on graduation from a course of study leading to certification from any normal school, college, or university granting state certificates under the provisions of the school laws of Nebraska.

     Allow me to urge that you read this bulletin from beginning to end; that you not only read it, but that you study carefully every regulation concerned in the issuance of the certificate for which you are an applicant. Get your credits in presentable form, consult your instructors and your class adviser; then go to the registrar and see that your credits are all properly registered and that your record is complete. Have a clear understanding as to just what further work you will need before you will be qualified for certification, and also have a definite understanding with the authorities of the school as to whether or not you can carry and complete the work necessary to meet all the required conditions at the time you expect to graduate and receive your certificate.

     The state board of examiners inspects each institution granting state certificates. Your record will be carefully examined and the board will arrange to meet you personally. It is the desire of the committee to recognize every credit earned by each student and to encourage every worthy person to make the best possible preparation for teaching. The committee is guided by the direction of the law which makes the courses of study maintained by the University of Nebraska and the state normal schools the basis upon which teachers' certificates may be issued from institutions which are approved by the state superintendent of public instruction.

     Under the provisions of this law, hundreds of teachers are each year certificated in our state. Each person who completes a course of study from the University of Nebraska, either of the state normal schools, or any university, college, or normal school approved on the basis of these schools, should have a just pride in the possession of a well earned certificate, and should feel a high degree of loyalty to the institution granting such certificate.

      Every Nebraska teacher has a patriotic pride in the high educational standing of our state. In order to maintain this high standing, to protect our schools against teachers who are not well trained and protect properly trained teachers against those who seek to enter the profession without the right degree of training, it Is necessary that, those in authority guard carefully the issuance of teachers' certificates.

     Every person who has spent the time, energy and money to complete the course of study leading to graduation and certification from an approved institution has a right to demand the protection of his diploma and certificate, by insisting that these same honors be conferred only upon those worthy to receive them and to bold a place in the ranks of merited recognition.

     For these reasons, and in the interests of the children who are to be taught, the state examining committee will inquire closely into the record of every applicant for a teacher's certificate, and will be careful to recognize every item of credit or merit concerned in the record of each applicant for certification. This is an impartial committee, charged with carrying out a very important provision of the

law for the encouragement and recognition of well trained teachers. Each member of the committee feels his responsibility and knows his duty. Each applicant for a certificate will receive the utmost courtesy and most careful consideration in the evaluation of his work. Every institution will be judged by the quality of training exhibited by the applicants recommended for certification.

     Each individual student is expected to put before the committee his qualifications in a clear, definite form that will enable the committee to recognize every item or credit earned, and decide definitely and fairly every point.

     The committee, therefore, requests each student to establish at an early date his exact standing relative to certification; to have all required credits on file with the registrar and to be ready to report personally to the examining committee when the visit to the institution is made. Allow me to urge that you do this at once in order that any questionable points may be cleared up and your record be made complete. Your last semester's registration is decisive as to whether or not you are entitled to the certificate sought. Please see that there is no mistake and no misunderstanding as to your exact status, so far as certification is concerned. Learn exactly what you need, and register so as to complete the work.

     This bulletin has been prepared especially for the benefit of the student. A copy may be secured by any interested person on application to the registrar of the institution concerned, or by writing to this department.

B. C. BISHOP,          
Superintendent     

     December 9, 1910.

     Requirements for issuance of the first grade state certificate by the University of Nebraska, which requirements must be met by applicants for certificates from institutions approved on the basis of the University of Nebraska:

     At a meeting of the regents of the University of Nebraska held February 15, 1910, on recommendation of the faculty of the teachers' college, the following rule was adopted:

     "(1) Each candidate for a teacher's certificate shall submit to the state superintendent of public instruction, for his approval, a detailed report showing the academic and professional preparation of the candidate, including both secondary and collegiate courses, properly authenticated by the registrar of the University of Nebraska, and the dean of the college in which the student is matriculated.

     "(2) Teachers' certificates issued by the University of Nebraska shall contain a full record showing the amount and the character of

the student's secondary and collegiate work, as shown by the records of the registrar's office."

     University credits (125 hours). For the degree of Bachelor of Arts or of Bachelor of Science, 125 university credit hours are required. No student is recommended for a degree who is not within eighteen hours of this requirement at the beginning of his last semester.

     Required subjects (14 hours). Each candidate for graduation from the Teachers' College is absolutely required to complete the following subjects:

     Optional subjects (40, 44 or 48 hours). In addition to the above, each candidate for the bachelor's degree is required to complete six out of the following eight groups of subjects, in the amount indicated, before the end of his third year. The two groups omitted cannot be in the same division (A, B, or C) :

     Specialization (55 hours). Either included in the foregoing or in addition thereto the candidate for graduation from the Teachers' College must complete the following:

     In addition to the above prescribed work, each candidate for the teacher's certificate must devote one hour (50 minutes) daily for one semester to actual teaching in the model school, and three hours per week for one semester to observation of expert teaching.

      No major subject may be less than 16 hours, and no minor subject less than 12 hours. The 40 hours may be divided between two major or between one major and two minors. Major and minor subjects should be closely allied.

      Application of the above to most certificate subjects is simple. Students can begin these with University Course 1 and complete requirements regularly with 16 to 20 hours as a major and 12 hours for each minor. With respect to some subjects, observe the following:

rhetoric require 23 hours (16 plus 12) to be completed in the two for a major and a minor. A second minor must be in an allied subject. The student may secure a major in each by completing 40 hours in both.

      2. French requires four semesters in the high school or three semesters in the University (Courses 1, 2, 3,--13 hours) before the work can be applied to meet the requirements for a certificate.

      3. German requires four semesters in the high school or three in the university (Courses 1, 2, 3--15 hours), before the work can be applied to meet the requirements for a certificate.

      4. Home Economics requires 24 hours for a major and 16 hours for a minor, beginning with Course 1, which has no prerequisite.

      5. Latin requires the completion of 22 hours above the four years of high school Latin. Latin cannot be counted as a minor.

      6. A major in mathematics is usually 23 hours, but may be 17. In either instance, 3 points in algebra and 3 points in geometry are preliminary to Course 1 in the University. Solid geometry is now taught in the University, but is not ranked as a certificate course.

      7. Physics requires 20 hours for a major and 12 hours for a minor above 2 points in the high school.

      For Bachelor of Science degree. Students in the Teachers' College who take their major in a scientific department and, of the 125 hours required for graduation, complete in all 60 hours in mathematics and natural science, in addition to military science (4 hours) and rhetoric (4 hours), may receive the degree of Bachelor of Science instead of that of Bachelor of Arts. Such students, however, shall complete six of the eight groups (A, B, or C).

      Residence. At least one year's resident work is required of all candidates for graduation from the Teachers' College.

      The first grade state certificate issued by the University of Nebraska and institutions approved on the basis of the University of Nebraska becomes a life certificate when countersigned by the state superintendent on evidence of at least three years' successful teaching experience on the part of the holder.

      Requirements for issuance of diploma from advanced course (first grade state certificate) and elementary (second grade) state certificate, by the state normal schools, which requirements must be met by applicants for certificates from institutions approved on the basis of the state normal schools:

      The following rule touching the granting of certificates was adopted by the board of education:

      "That diplomas and certificates shall he granted to applicants upon the recommendation of the faculty and principals of the respective schools and upon the additional recommendation of the state board of examiners for life certificates."

      The candidate for admission to the freshman class must present 15 credit points representing the equivalent of two full years' high school work. A teacher holding a second grade county certificate issued since October, 1905, may matriculate in the state normal schools, but the allowance for credits and time attendance for such certificate are restricted to the conditions enumerated on page 71 of this report.

      No one can be admitted legally on less than two years' high school training, or its equivalent.

      Issued by the state normal schools and institutions approved on the basis of the course of study maintained by the state normal schools.

      Requirements for entrance: Thirty points. Students who have completed a four years' Nebraska high school course are admitted to the regular junior year.

     The required practice work is one-fourth of a student's time for one year; that is, one recitation period and two preparation periods daily. In the recitation period of practice work, one-half the period, or twenty minutes (the length of a recitation in the model grade school), is devoted to actual practice work and the other half to the observation of the practice teaching of another senior.

      The preparation consists in preparing lessons, making plans, doing assigned readings and attending conferences. The preparation of work is considered just as essential as the practice teaching itself.

      The first grade state certificate issued by institutions approved on the basis of the state normal schools must be signed by the state superintendent before it becomes effective. It is converted into a life certificate when countersigned by the state superintendent on evidence of at least three years' successful teaching experience on the part of the holder.

      These certificates are Identical in course requirements and in effect. The difference is in name only. The elementary state certificate is Issued by the state normal schools; the second grade state certificate is issued by institutions approved by the state superintendent on the basis of the state normal schools. The second grade state certificate requires the signature of the state superintendent before becoming effective.

      This course leads to the elementary state certificate and 'the second grade state certificate as above described. It is necessary for those who complete it to have grades in all branches required for the first grade county certificate. Students are eligible to enter this course after three years' high school work, or its equivalent. Twenty-two credit points are required for entrance.

      Following is the course of study required to be taken at the institution granting the certificate:

     Elementary (second grade) state certificates are Issued to those who complete the Teachers' Training Course. This course may be covered in one year by students who have three years of high school education, or Its equivalent. It is necessary, however, for those who receive certificates to have grades in all of the teachers' first grade county certificate branches, Including reading, arithmetic, mental arithmetic, grammar, composition, geography, United States history, physiology and hygiene, orthography, penmanship, civil government, bookkeeping, blackboard drawing, agriculture, theory and art of teaching, algebra, geometry, botany, and physics. "With credit" grades from county examinations and high schools will be accepted for many of the subjects in this course. The certificate will be considered equal In scholarship to a first grade county certificate and will be good in any county in the state.
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