The daily telegram. [volume] (Clarksburg, W. Va.) 1901-1926, 1916-01-01
REPORT OUTLINES
PROGRESS OF
EDUCATION
More Democracy in Schools Of
the Country, Says Federal
Commissioner.

WASHINGTON, Jan. LIN strik-
ing contrast with the upheayal In
Europe is the peaceful advance OF
education in the United States as re-
corded in the 1915 report of the
commissioner of education.
Educational preparedness Is the
dominant note Of the commissioners
report. The upbuilding Of systems Of
Industrial education. whereby Amer
ica's natural resources are to be con-
served and developed through tech
meal trade training, to the end that
the nation may render highest ser
vices in the markets Of the world;
the establishment Of stronger COM
mercial courses in public high schools
designed to meet the new interna-
tional trade courses in public; the
opening of the Panama canal, the
European war, and the closer rela-
lions between the countries OF North
and South America; the improve
ment of rural education. SO that the
boys and girls - the country may
have equal Opportunities with boys
and girls In the city, and that the
significance OF agriculture and coun-
try life in national ,well-being may
be fully understood. These and other
problems wherein education plays a
fundamental part are discussed In
the report and progress during the
current year outlined.
More Democracy.
In general, the report finds there
has been a real increase during the
year in progress toward that equality
Of educational opportunity which is
essential in democracy. This is
indicated, declares Commissioner
Clexton, In his introduction to tho
report, in greater interest in the
health and care Of young children
and in a better type OF home edu-
cation, 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 OF teachers
particularly In rural communities
where school terms have been short
and salaries Of teachers have been
small; in the enactment Of school at
tendance 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 rails
ing Of standards of required prepara-
ton for teachers in some states and
In the extension OF the means OF
preparing teachers In normal schools
in departments OF education In col
leges, and especially in teacher
training classes in high schools; In
the increased attendance in high
schools; and In the differentiation OF
work and the adjustment Of courses
of study In schools Of all grades to
meet the needs OF children OF vary
ing ability and the vocational life
OF the communities"
Reorganization Of Schools.
Some progress has been made
within the year in the reorganization
Of the twelve-year 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 colleges are trying more and
more to adjust themselves to these
standards. This is made easier by
the constant improvement OF the
public and private high schools and
especially Of the public high schools.
1.-THE elevation OF the standards
of professional schools is due large
" to the demand for higher stand
ids OF professional life. This has
been accelerated by several surveys
of professional schools made by
some OF the great educational founda-
tons"
Surveys.
1.-THE demand for intelligent and
comprehensive surveys Of the equip
ment, administration, and work Of
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