The training of teachers in the United States of America
John Stuart Mill · en
3. Practice teaching.
_Second Year_:
1. History of education.
2. Principles and methods of teaching.
3. Outline course of drawing for High and Evening Schools.
4. Practice teaching.
5. Practical details of supervisor’s work.
6. Presentation of the subject of drawing by each pupil before a body
of assumed teachers.
_MICHIGAN._
The State of Michigan maintains only one Normal School, but, as we
shall see later, this State has other means of providing for the
training of its teachers.
This school is located at Ypsilante, and is not residential. It is
open to men and women, and tuition is free to those who undertake to
teach in the State Schools. Graduates from recognised High Schools,
approved by the Board of Education upon recommendation of the Faculty,
are admitted without examination, and are credited with advanced work
already done. Other candidates must pass an entrance examination.
The school offers three classes of courses:
1. Those covering three years of instruction leading to a certificate,
which is a license to teach in the schools of Michigan for a period of
five years; of these there are two, one especially for kindergartners,
and the other to prepare teachers for the rural schools and for the
lower High School grades.
2. Courses covering four years, leading to a diploma and a
life-certificate. Of these there are many to choose from, but all are
more or less distinctly literary, scientific or classical.
3. Advanced courses, leading to the degree of Bachelor of Pedagogics
and a life-certificate. One for graduates of any of the four year
courses, and can be completed in two years.
Any one holding an academic degree from the University of Michigan,
or from an incorporated college, may receive the degree of B.Pd. by
spending one half-year at the school, and attending professional
instruction for 250 hours, and teaching under supervision for 100 hours.
Any person holding the degree of Bachelor of Pedagogics of the Michigan
State Normal School may, upon application, receive the degree of Master
of Pedagogics upon the following conditions:
(_a_) He shall furnish evidence satisfactory to the Faculty that he has
been engaged in teaching or in school supervision continuously, and
with pronounced success, for five years since receiving the Bachelor’s
degree.
(_b_) He shall prepare and present a thesis acceptable to the said
Faculty, upon some subject connected with the history, science, or art
of education, the Faculty reserving the right to assign the subject of
such thesis.
The design of the School is professional--_i.e._, only those students
are admitted who intend to teach, but a large portion of the various
courses is devoted to academic work. The school is directly under the
control of the State Board of Education, which grants all certificates,
diplomas and degrees upon recommendation of the Faculty.
_ILLINOIS._