The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1914-07-14
EDUCATIONAL FACTS.
Provided by u s. Diplomatic and Con-
sular Representatives.

That many OF our diplomatic ant
consular representatives abroad are rem
dering very real service in obtaining
/ information on foreign educationa
movements is the belief Of the U. S
bureau OF education. The bureau ac
| knowledgcs that il counts on the diplo.
matte and consular service for con,
siderable part of the matter on foreugr
schools it publishes every year for the
sake of American school men who can
not go abroad but who need to know
what other countries are doing educa,
tionally. BY special arrangement with
the department of state the bureau OF
education receives all reports forwarded
by eonsuls or other diplomatic agents
on educational subjects.
Many OF these reports supplement ad-
lnirably the official documents obtain
able. Recently Ambassador Joseph Il.
Willard furnished the bureau with a
statement of educational conditions in
Spain, which contained interesting ref
erences TO the character of university in
struction, especially in medicine, The re-
port shows not only discriminating
knowledge of educational requirements
generally, but special knowledge of
educational conditions in Spain.
Some of the most useful material in
the field of vocat ionsl education has been
furnished through consular sdvices. Bull
letin Sc, 1913. OF the bureau of education
contained statements on industrial edu.
cation by consuls at Erfurt, Nuremberg,
Frankfort, and Cologne. The article by
Ralph c. Busser, consul at Erfurt, on
''rhe System OF Industrial Schooling in
Germany" is considered one of the best
summaries of the subject ever published.
and has proved particularly useful to
American school authorities considering
the establishment of systems of indus
trial education The other articles in
this bulletin are special reports on
schools for builders, courses for master
the trade institute at
Cologne. and schools for fruit growing.
Consuls in England and Scotland are
sending special information ON the
social welfare work that is now prom
inent feature of school activity in those
countries. Each of this material is so
new il has scarcely begun to find its
way into printed reports. Some of the
specialize in educational subjects
in which they arc most interested. Thus
At Stavanger, Norway, the L. s. con.
,uIate is especially keen on furnishing
about the school extension
work that is one of the characteristics
Of education in Scandinavian countries.
In Central and South America. United
states consuls keep the bureau informed
IF changes in educational policy as in
Heated in presidential messages. de-
.rees. etc. Much of this information I
throws light on current American prob
ems.
II has often been urged in the past /
hat each consulate have an "educa-
.ional attacbe" to report on educational |
matters. but in the opinion OF the I
bureau Of education officials the consuls 4
themselves and their subordinates are 4
ully qualified 20 keep the United states
on important educational work /
broad. Representatives Of the bureau
4 education who have recently gone to 4
;ermany. Switzerland. Denmark. and
be British Isles report that they found
.ot only government, baf frequently, in
edition. special knowledge Of the edu-
ational situation In the countries for
Ihich information was desired.