The whole story centers around Ernest T. Bass being illiterate. While studying with Andy, he reveals that he knows only a few words, but earlier in the series, in "Mountain Wedding", where he was introduced, he threw a rock through a window with a note he wrote that contains several words.
The premise is that Ernest T Bass is illiterate. However, in earlier episodes, he knew how to write. In Mountain Wedding (1963), Bass writes a note saying, "Charlene, I still love you and want you. Ernest T Bass." and in Ernest T. Bass Joins the Army (1963), he writes a much longer note: "It's all your fault I didn't get my uniform, Sheriff. I'm gonna break every window in the state to get even. Ernest T Bass, ex-serviceman."
At the beginning, Ernest tells Andy he wants to court Romena. He again says this name at the end, after he gets his diploma. However, when Andy or Barney say her name, they call her Ramona.