The Denver star., 1917-04-14
new MOVEMENT
FOR EDUCATION
Lofty Purpose Of the Durham
Commission Stated.
HOW THE IDEA ORIGINATED

hUW hE lUEA ukl6lnA Al EU
Promoters Of Conference on Education
Hold at the National Training School,
Durham, N. c., In 1916 Outline Plan
For q Thorough Survey and Study Of
Secondary Schools.
New York.-At a meeting held on
March % at 20 Fifth avenue in this
city commission was organized to be
known as the Durham Commission to
Study the American Negro. This meet
ing grew out of the educational confer
ence called by DR.. ]. E. Shepard and
held at the National Training school.
Durham, N. c., from Nov. 21 to "a.
1916 1t seemed to the many persons
of prominence who attended this con-
ference that it would be too bad to
have the matter end simply with in
formation and resolutions. They deter
mined, therefore, to appoint perma-
nent commission to study present con-
ditions in Negro education.
Many were aware that similar stud
les had been made in the past and that
at present certain investigations were
being prosecuted, but they learned
with regret that in the present inves-
tigations white investigators were con-
cerned and that colored men of knowl-
edge and with deep interest in the
subject had been carefully exclud-
ed from all participation. It seemed
absolutely certain that no real study
of the American Negro could take place
without the participation OF competent
Negroes, since they possess knowledge
and have access to sources of knowl-
edge of their own race which no others
could command.
A commission was therefore appoint
ed to begin the work Of research un-
der the craftsmanship of DR.. w. e. b.
Du Bois, editor of the Crisis Magazine
and former director of the social stud
les made for fourteen years at Atlanta
university. DIR. James e. Shepard.
president Of the National Training
school, undertook the difficult task Of
raising funds for the commission.
The commission met in New York
with the chairman. DR.. Shepard, pre-
siding; Mr.. William G. Pearson Of the
Durham public schools. President w.
]. Hale of the Tennessee Normal
school, Mr.. ]. A. Cotton Of the Hender-
son IN. c. institute and President W..
8. Scarborough Of Wilberforce univer-
sity present President Rendell OF Lin
coin university and DR.. ]. W. e. Bowen
Of Cannon seminary were detained.
The commission decided to undertake
a survey Of secondary schools for the
education of the Negroes in the United
States, with the idea of ascertaiping
the number and distribution Of these
schools, their equipment and emciency.
their attendance and teaching force.
their income and expenditure and the
extent to which they are filing the de-
mand for secondary education among
colored people.
The 800 schools which are to be
studied are divided into three districts
of about 100 schools each, and q year
is to be devoted to the study OF each
district. The method of study will in
volve investigation by correspondence.
for the gathering of material and per
sopal visits to the schools A report
| WILL Ue pECpdICu anu puDli6AC0 OASA
| year.
The general form Of procedure in
gathering this information will be sub
mitted for suggestion and approval to
the Sage foundation, to the general
education board and to the trustees OF
the Slater fund, and their cooperation
in the work will be asked. The same
procedure will be followed in the case
| of various denominational educational
boards. 1t is proposed that after this
survey of education the commission
/ turn it's attention to other fields OF In
vestigadon concerning the American
Negro, with the idea Of establishing In
connection with the National Training
school and in cooperation with other
institutions and organizations a syste
matte series of surveys into the social
condition of the American Negro.