My sister who is a teacher sent me this forwarded message. It was taken from the original document on file at the Smokey Valley Genealogical Society and Library in Salina , and reprinted 
by the Salina Journal. It’s about an 1895 8th grade exam which looks like a Master’s exam! Here is an excerpt. See if you won’t believe:
8th Grade Final Exam: Salina , KS – 1895
Grammar (Time, one hour)
1. Give nine rules for the use of capital letters.
2. Name the parts of speech and define those that have no modifications.
3. Define verse, stanza and paragraph
4. What are the principal parts of a verb? Give principal parts of ‘lie,”play,’ and ‘run.’
5. Define case; illustrate each case.
6 What is punctuation? Give rules for principal marks of punctuation.
7 – 10. Write a composition of about 150 words and show therein that you understand the practical use of the rules of grammar.
Did YOU pass the test? And the entire exam was allotted 5 hours!
Just shows how eroded education is doesn’t it?
Request for the whole exam and I will send it to you by your e-mail or website.
My post Education Degradation is a reference.
If you want to contradict me, here’s a weapon: Amy Julia Harris –StanfordDaily.com –Study finds that literacy is here to stay.
pochp
