So far the discussion has been confined to the mini-
mum requirements with a view of ascertaining to what extent
low standards have affected the demand for trained teachers.
College training courses are, however, not designed to prepare
students to meet the lowest requirements, rather it is their
aim to make the student eligible for the highest certificate,
if possible, without examination. Most states have some kind
of college certificate where graduation will be accepted in
lieu of an examination. No college, which is preparing teachers,
can afford to operate withour this privilege. There is no
doubt that the classes in education in most colleges would
be greatly reduced did they not lead to the highly coveted
state certificate. There is also just cause for a suspicion
that some agricultural colleges have introduced courses of
education into their curricula, less because of an appreciation
of the intrinsic value of these courses, but chiefly to meet
the requirements of the state department of education.
The several states have followed different policies
in accepting graduation in lieu of examination. Some specify
in detail the amount as well as the kind of professional
work which must be embodied in the course. The Colorado
law, e.g., demands:
"professional training equivalent to at least one-sixth of a
standard four years' college course in at least three of the
following groups of subjects, one of which shall be Practice
Teaching, to wit:.
1,Genral Educational Psychology
2, History of Education
3,Science and Principles of Education
4, Practice Teaching and Special Methods.
5,Organization and Management of Schools
6, Philosophy, Sociology, and Anthropology." (1)
Michgan and Indiana have similar requirements. In other a 1, Quoted on page 33 of the 1914-15 catalog of the college.