The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-08-10
PUBLIC SCHOOL CHILDREN HERE
 INCREASE F PC.
Canvas Reveals s Per Cent A Year Growth Population 21O,OOO


 < The biennial school census of chil- dren between the ages of six and 20 years, taken as required by state law, was completed Saturday, after nearly a month and a half of house-to-house canvassing, Dr. O B. Glenn, superin- tendent of public schools, announced yesterday.
 As yet, no final tabulations of the results of the census takers have been 2 made. For this reason, complete in- formation is as yet unavailable, al- {. though estimates may be made from <, the, data submitted by the enumerators of the. changes and shifts in popula- ; tion since 1922, when the last can 2 vas was made. Clerks in the board of education building, 2030 Park avenue, are now at work filling out and tabu- lating results for the report which will be submitted to fi4es state education ! autho4ties. The size of the apportion- ment from the public school fund to ! Birmingham schools for the next two year period is based upon the tabula- tions of the data from this census.
 Results Gratifying
 A school censas has been made throughout the state at the same time. Figures from other icities have not been announced, and probably will not be available for official publication until September 1; when the state will $ make public the complete figures, in cluding those of this city.
 In Birmingham, gratifying results are shown in the census figures. hit i. eracys has decreased \ the number of ], attending school has Increased beyond all expectations, negro families have moved closer to the better class of schools and towards tEe industrial and business centers, and families of both races have shown greater tendency to cooperate with teachers in persuad- ing their children to attend school. The most important information gained by the enumerators is as fol- lows.
 1. There are s2,779 white chil- , dren of school age in Birmingham.
 This is an increase of 3,623, or 12,4 per cent over 1922, when there were .r 29, ,156. The average. two year in-
 erase from 1910 to 1922 was 1,557.
 2. There are 2S,753 negro chil-
 T,098, or AS per cent over 1922,
 when there were 22,B55. The aver
 age two. year increase from 1910 to
 1922 was 4S8.- E,
 8. Twenty of the 32 districts have a white children population of 5S per cent or more, 58 per cent being : the city average. The Baker district
 has the largest, SS.7 per cent white
 children, the Henley district the
 smallest, 27C per cent, white chil- , dren, or 72.9 per cent negro popula- ! tion. ,
 4. Pratt, Graymont and Gun .ningham districts show increase of
 negro children population, and East
 Thomas. Gibson, Minor, Powell and
 South Highland, district show a de crease. This is regarded as proof :, that the trend of growth in negro
 population is toward districts which
 afford them better education faeili-
 5. There are ASA iilliterate white
 children of school aEe, or 1.4S per ? cent of the total white children pop sliation, as compared with 2.42 per, 9 6. There are 1.222 illiterate ne. 5 gro children of school age, or 5.15
 per cent of total negro children pop
 ulation, compared with SIS per
 cent in 1922.
 The biennial census is of value not only to the state, but also to the board : 6f education itself. The information gained Is of inestimable worth in shecking for the last two year period 4he estimates of population growth in The districts used in the school survey, and in determining the location of 5 bchool buildings to be erected under the school building program made pos : Bible by the recent bond election. The theory expressed in the survey becomes !; fact for another two years, in carrying out the program based upon it, Dr. Glenn said.
 To Prepare Maps
 As in 1922, school population maps will be prepared showing the distribu- tion according to elementary and high school grades for both white and ne- gro children. These dot maps, as they are called, are valuable in helping to determine the proper locations for im- provements and additions to schools.
 The work of house.to- house canvass ing although still a. difficult proposi- ton, because in many cases parents ? do not divulge information regarding their children until, after lengthy ex- planations they are assured that it is z for no ill purpose, was found to be a little less troublesome than in former years. That these difficulties were fewer in number than at any time previously, is an indication in itself that illiteracy and ignorance is de- creasing, MT. Putnam added.
 As the school census shows, there are 56,523 children between the ages of six and 20 years in Birmingham. According to federal census reports, children between the ages comprise on the general average -27 per cent of the total population, showing that the popu- lation of Birmingham by the school cen- sus is about 210,OO0.
 t'0n the whole, the census indicates that a healthy growth has been made , during the last two years in Birming- ham" was the comment of both Dr. Glenn and Mir. Putnam.
 OFFICERS PREPARED