South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1915-12-27
SEEK EQUALITY
IN EDUCATION
u. S. Commissioner in Report
Urges Same Privileges
to Children.

WASHINGTON, Dec. 27.-Equal-
ity Of educational opportunity which
will give the country boys and girls
the same privileges enjoyed by the
city school pupils is urged by the
United States commissioner Of educa-
ton in his annual report. Although
the report makes some mention of
the effect Of the war on education,
particularly as il has called atten-
ton to the subject Of preparedness,
yet the general tone of the report
shows in striking contrast the peace
ful advance Of education in this
country as compared with the up
heaval in Europe.
Educational preparedness is the
dominant note Of the commissioners
report The upbuilding Of systems
Of Industrial education, whereby
Americas natural resources are 10
be conserved and developed through
technical trade training, TO the end
that .the nation may render highest
service in the markets of the world,
the establishment of stronger COM
mercial courses in public high
schools. designed 10 meet the new
International trade situations in
.olved in the opening of the Pan
INA canal. the European war, and
the closer relations between the
Countries Of North and South Amer
ca. the Improvement of rural educa-
ton, so that boys and girls in the
country may have equal oppOrtunl-
ties with boys and girls is the city,
and that the significance of agricul-
ture and country life in national
well-being may be fully understood.
These and other national problems
wherein education plays a funda-
mental part are discussed in the re-
port and progress during the current
year outlined.
Democracy i'm Education.
In general, the report finds there
has been a real increase during the
year in progress toward that equal
ity Of educational opportunity which
is essential in a democracy. This is
indicated, declares Commissioner
ClaXtOn, in his introduction to the
report, in greater interest in the
health and care of young children
and in a better type Of home educa-
ton; in the revival OF interest in
the kindergarten as an integral part
OF the public school system; in in
creased appropriations for longer
terms and better salaries for teach
ers, particularly in rural communi-
ties where school terms have been
short and salaries of teachers have
been small; in the enactment of
school attendance laws in some of
the states which have not until now
had such laws; in the adoption Of
the larger unit of administration of
rural schools in several states; in
the raising of standards of required
preparation for teachers in some
states and in the extension of the
means Of preparing teachers in nor
NAL schools. in departments of edu-
cation in colleges, and especially in
classes in high
schools; in the increased attend
ance in high schools; and in the
differentiation of work and the adj
justment of courses Of study in
schools of all grades to meet the
needs Of children of varying ability
and the vocational life of the COM
munities.
Some progress has been made
within the year in the reorganiza-
ton Of the u years of elementary
and high schools on the basis of two
equal periods of six years each. There
is a better understanding of what
college standards should be. and col
leges are trying more and more to
adjust themselves to these stand
ards. This is made easier by the
constant Improvement of the public
and private high schools and espe-
cially of the public high schools.
The elevation OF the standards
of professional schools is due largely
TO the demand for higher standards
in professional life. This has been
accelerated by several surveys of
professional schools made by some
of the great educational foundations
Purpose of Surveys.
THE demand for intelligent and
surveys Of the equip
ment, administration, and work Of
individual colleges and schools, and
of state, county and city systems Of
schools continues. The purpose OF
these surveys is not TO find fault. but
20 make an intelligent accounting of
the schools and their results 10 the
people who support them and are
served by them. and If possible 10
discover some means Of improving
them and making them render a
fuller measure of service. Within
the year several very valuable sur
veys OF this kind have been made.
and more are now under way. The
reports OF these surveys already con-
stitute a unique and valuable body
Of educational literature"
In the foreign field, the report de-
scribes the experiments Of European
nations in education for colonial
service, the Importance Of which has
been enhanced by the war: Great
Britain. with her universities and
higher technical schools interested
in preparing men for service in Brit
ish India; France, in the Colonial
school at Paris, colonial Institutes
auxiliary TO some Of the universities.