The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1922-12-09
Observe Second Education
Week to { otrabat llliteraeu
United States Has Highest
Number llIlterates Of
Leading, Nations.

n 6sAaulA 0ttAhtVllos lei
+ NfANNINGToN, Dec. s-Mau.
nlngton schools throughout the
district are observing the secosd.
National Education Week. The
idea grew out Of plans initiated by
the American Legion, and Is back
ed by the National Educational
Association.
H II Is pointed out by this as
ISOLATION that, contrary to the gem
eral belief, illiteracy Is not dying
out Of the United State and that
during the period from 1910 TO
1920 twelve states actually made
an increase In the number Of ILL.,
terate persons over ten years Of
age. These states are Massachu-
sets, Connecticut, New York, New
Jersey. Ohio, illinois, Michigan,
Texas. Colorado, Arizona, Wash.
ington and California These
twelve states show an increase ot
llliterates ranging from ITO in
Washington to 20,690 in CalifoS-
MIA.
Among the enlightened nations,
Of the world the United Statets
has the highest percentage OF per-
sons who can neither read nor
write. Tabled with other coun-
tries, this Is how our nation,
stands:
Germany. 2 per cent; Denmark
2 per cent; Switzerland, IS par.
cent; Netherlands. IS per cent;
Finland, .9.per cent; Norway i.
per cent; Sweden, / per cent;
Scotland, 1.6 per cent; England
and Wales, 1.s per cent; France,
40 per cent; United States : per
cent.
This condition Is due, to largo
extent. to the great influx OF i'm
migrants from southern Europe
during the last few years, Accord
Ing to John K. Norton, director Of
the research division, American
Educational Association. He init.
mates in his report this year that
much Of the problem could be re-
moved through the Amerlcaniza-
ton Of the immigrants. Ii. 1920,
his report states, there were az
6S6,204 people in the United
States. one or both Of whose par
ents were foreign born. But those
children are native born, It is
pointed out, and have the right Of
the ballot, yet they often attend
foreign language schools and ro-
tain the language and ideals Of
the country from which their par
ents or grandparents came.
The menace represented by this
condition was clearly realized by
the federal government in 1917,
Mr.. Norton states. when It adopt
ed law requiring immigrants 10
pass a llteracy test. During the
last three years, however; $4,000,
illiterate immigrants have been
admitted, despite this law
Leading American educators are
urging that this week be deYotot.
to the encouragement OF educa-
tional work, and that the time be
utilized In becoming familiar with
work already under way for the
eradication OF illiteracy.
One Of the chief movements
backed by the National EducatIo-
nal Association is the Towner-
Sterling Bill which has already
been recommended by the House
committee on education. II Is b..
lieved that this bill will do a lot
toward wiplng out illiteracy.
The Demonstrating Bill pro-
vides encouragement to the vari-
Gus. states to remove illiteracy by
providing $7,5o0,000 approprla-
tion annually for the education Ut
silliterates fourteen years and old.
er, this amount to be. apportioned
to various states according to re.
spective illiterates, and that all
such funds shall be distributed in
accordance with the laws OF that
particular state. Each state is per-
mitted to determine the cours Of
study plans and methods OF car
Tying out the work.
The bill also provides for the
AmericanlSation Of Immigrants by
an appropriation Of s7,50Q,00o,
annually for such purposes, to
teach the immigrants to read and
write the English language and 10.
appreciate the American goTern-
ment and duties Of citizenshin.
This money Is to be apportioned
to the various states, and each.
state shall determine the courses
Of study, plans and methods OF
carrying out the work.
1t also provides for the equali-
cation Of educational opportunities
and provides for the appropriation
annually Of $50, 000. 900 for pub.