The public ledger. [volume] (Maysville, Ky.) 1913-1968, 1921-11-26
AMERICAN EDUCATION
WEEK TO BE ESTABLISHED
BY AMERICAN LEGION

National Education Association and
American Legion Join Hands In
Establishment Of National
Education Week.
Indianapolis, Ind. - Because the
schoolroom is the cradle of the ma
ton, because the foundation of every
state Is the education of its youth,
The National Americanism Commits
sion o fThe American Legion and the
National Education Association have
Joined hands to promote and foster
education and thereby strengthen and
perpetuate a better Americanism,
build more intelligent and better
citizenry and withal, equip the youth
of the nation more adequately to cope
with life and forge ahead the interests
and achievements of the entire Unit
ed States.
The initial effort is to be made with
the inauguration of American Edu-
cation Week." December 4th to 10TH
which is to be fittingly observed in
every state in the union, every city
and every community. Governors of
states, mayors of cities and towns in
every section of the country have al
ready issued proclamation, urging the
citizens to observe this week in a fit
ting way and bend their energies to-
ward the successful Accomplishment
of its detectives.
This is but the initial step in the
elaborate plan of the two organiza-
tons working together for the accom-
plishment of their Joint objective
better education and better American
ism. Each year this week is to be OBJ
served. As progress is made, situa-
tions clarified, definite plans will
crystalize and solidify into perfected
programs for this accomplishment.
Throughout the nation on December
4th, Sunday, ministers will preach up
on the urgent need for better educa-
ton. From all over the country come
eager acceptance of the invitation to
preach upon this subject And through
out the week, the press, pulpit, educa-
tors, patriotic bodies, national clubs,
community clubs and other civic bod
les will cooperate to make the plan
a splendid success.
The main purposes of the week are
to inform the public Of the accom-
plishments and needs of the public
schools, particularly of the urgent
needs, and to secure cooperation and
support Of the public in meeting these
needs and to teach and foster good
Americanism
mo service has suffered more from
unintelligent criticism than the
schools" Dr. Charl Ormand Williams,
president of the National Education
Association, and Alvin NJ. Owsley, Ma
tional Director of the National Amer
icanism Commission, have said after
a thorough preliminary survey of the
educational situation nthe United
States.
"The average citizen does not read
educational literature OF account sof
teachers meetings or visit schools to
learn what they are doing or how the
children are faring," the statement
continued.
"The average citizen has a concep-
ton of school only as he knew 1t in
his own school days. American Edu-
cation Week should give the tax pay
ers who furnish the funds for the pub
lie schools first-hand knowledge of
the service for which they pay. Edu-
Gators cannot afford to neglect this
opportunity to advertise its aims and
purposes.
1T is the duty OF all the friends of
education to think seriously and work
hard on the problem Of keeping the
idea Of public education before all the
people all the time.
In every possible. way the publics
attention should be conferred on edu-
cational problems" the joint state
ment continues. ct should be center |
ed upo nthe need of better. buildings,
libraries and equipment, Fairgrounds, |
better school attendance, better paid |
teachers, longer school term, better |
vocational education: better under.
standing of the form and fundamen-
tai principles of our government and
better universal use Of the English
language. Special emphasis should be |
placed on the singing Of patriotic |
songs. salutes to the flag, the flying
of the flag from every school house
every school day the weather permits
and upon short, interesting accounts
of essential facts IN American his
tory"
Among the topics already selected
by communities IN every quarter Of |
the United States for the observance
of this week are those: American
Ideals and Americanlsm; National
Contributions to our Immigrant Citi-
rens - their pride In our country and |