The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1921-12-07

When the Citizens Educational
Association OF South Carolina was
organized in Spartanburg last sum-
1ner, the first resolution it adopted
was as follows: That we con-
ceive it to be within the scope and
purpose of this conference to make
a thorough examination Of the pub
lie school system, state and other
collegiate institutions, and that we
attempt to measure the strength OF
these educational facilities against
present needs OF our people in Or
der that we may provide adequate
means to fit each child of the state
for intelligent citizenship"
This was followed by another
resolutions: THAT this convention
memorialize the legislature to ap-
point commission Of South Car
olinains, assisted by such experts
as may be necessary to- conduct
thorough survey Of the state in or
der to ascertain in a scientific way
all conditions pertaining to educa-
ton in South Carolina, and torap-
propriate such funds as may be
necessary to carry out such pur-
pose
Before, during and since the for
nation of this State Citizens AS
sociation, three questions have been
frequently asked, to which the fol-
lowing answers are herewith made.
1. Why Does the State of South
lima Need Such Survey?
For the same reason that, at the
close Of a fisca. year, the merchant
has to take stock. Before he can
proceed intelligently to plan for
another seasons business, he must
know exactly where he stands, what
observation has taught him as to
the needs of the trade and expert
ence has shown as to the best meth
DDS of meeting his part Of it. Mani
fold illustrations might be adduc-
ed from other lines Of work. Pop
ular education must more and more
be looked at from the business
standpoint, and it is impossible to
construct any system for carrying
it forward until we know all the
facts as to our past successes or
failures and the actual demands
looming up before US in the fU-
ture. These facts and demands can
be ascertained only by taking an
inventory just ay the merchant
does. But right here it should be
emphasized that it is our undoubt-
ed progress in popular education
in South Carolina that makes such
a survey indispensable. We nave
steadily advanced along several
lines, but these lines Of advance
ment unless properly coordinated
may lead to confusion. Let us
measure what Improvement we
have made in some particulars as
compared with our deficiency in
others, and see if there are not
some exceedingly vital needs that
must be met if our educational
policy is to be sound and efficient.
It is here that the survey will
i prove most fruitful.
2. What Lines Of Investigation
Will be Carried on in Making
Such a Survey?
The best answer to this will be
to present an outline of the work
done in our southern states under
the authorities of the commission
appointed by the legislature to do
it. This is typical Of what would
be attempted in South Carolina.
For instance, such a survey was
made in the state Of Virginia by an
education commission esta ablisfed
and appointed by the legislature of
1918 for the purpose Of using it as
a basis for report, and recon-
mendations to the legislature of
1920.
Some Of the things studied by
this commission were as follows:
The School Term in Virginia.
School Population. Enrolment
and Attendance.
The Progress Of Pupils in the
Schools
The Elementary School Program.
The Teaching Force in Virginia.
The Training of Teachers.
The Certificates of Teachers.
The Supervision Of Instruction in
Rural Schools.
School Organization.
School Buildings, Grounds and
Equipment.
State Organization and Admin
istration.
School Administration in County
and District.
City School Administration.
Financial Support.
These and other educational ac-
! tivities were thoroughly probed
by this commission and on the in
formation thus gained the commits
! sion proposed amendments to the
constitution and statutes that open
ed up the way for all sorts of
progressive measures.
The topics above quoted are, of
course, very general, but in order
to see how specific were the mat
ters handled, the following ques-
tions standing at the head OF the
chapter on Financial Support
would indicate: Does Virginia in
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