Arthur J. Bronstein

The Importance of the Speech and Voice of Teacher-Candidates as Evaluated by Appointing Officers

THIS PAPER IS a report of part of the findings of a study which attempted to learn the procedures and content of the oral examina tions required of teacher-candidates for public school vacancies, and the attitudes on the part of appointing officers towards the oral exami nation. The study developed as a result of a desire to provide guid ance to educators who are preparing candidates for teaching positi tions in the schools of many of the nations larger communities. Preliminary investigations revealed that widely varying degrees of speech competence are demanded by administrators and officers hiring teachers. Consequently those in charge of preparing teacher candidates have little knowledge of what prospective employers will demand from candidates. They do not know if there exists an oral examining situation, formal or informal, and if it does exist, what speech and voice abilities and characteristics are considered impor tant.