The Spokane woman. [volume] (Spokane, Wash.) 1921-1935, 1929-06-27

The principal work of the Division of Home
Economics OF the federation of womens clubs has
been a survey of the conditions under which Home
Economics is taught upon which to base its follow
up campaign. This survey is second in importance
only to the unparalleled home equipment survey,
the follow-up work of which is already making life
bearable to thousands of women who have never
known the meaning of leisure.
We freely admit the great advance in home eco
Monies education in years, but ii takes such
survey we have made to bring to light the
needs and the handcaps under which 1t is pro-
crossing.
We sought to know:
In what grades home economics is taught;
The proportion of girls taking Home Economics
courses;
Whether mothers were cooperating;
Whether Home Economics is functoning in the
home;
Whether an equitable proportion of educational
appropriations are being used for Home Economics;
What the standards and salaries of teachers av-
eraged;
Home Economic courses
Whether laboratories properly located and
equipped.
Less than SOC of the eligible enrolment is TAX
ing such course:
That mothers are not cooperating to the fullest;
That it is not functionng i'm the homes as 1t
shoud-though partially
That no figures are available as to apportion-
ment, except in SmithHughes (Voc) and Smith
Lever funds;
That executives have a proper appreciation
of the value of Home Economic courses, and give
the larger appropriations to socalled academic
courses;
That entrance credits are increasing, but that
lack of them deters many girls from eecting home
economics;
That curricula needs to be broadened to include
child care parental education religious training
and business management.
We feel that we have a pretty good idea of
actual conditions for have had reports of vary
ing completeness from 81 states. very unusual
response to a QUESTIONABLE of kind
Nn how a1g had Tho 1ni tU ta mn
our findings with those of the Home Economics
Service of the Bureau of Education which made a
similar survey. and they are in accord.
The mothers of the land have indicted; they
face the charge of lack of interest and cooperation
of favorng home economic training for their maids,
for their neighbors daughters, but not for their
own daughters To verify discredt this indict-
ment. very brief survey is now in progress to
ascertain whether majority of women really are
opposed to home economic education for their chill
dren, and if So why.
While school executives have been accused OF
being academic minded and lacking in apprecia-
tion of the real value of such courses they are well
coming the effort of the General Federation com
mendng its work so far, and urging the follow-up
campaign.
Because so many organizations interested in
this problem conference has been called
by the Division chairman, in Washington. ID. c., OF
the heads of all Home Economics Bureaus of the
Government Departments to study conditions. co
ordinate the work and to prepare course to FUR
Their promote Home Economic education and make
such training possible, not obligatory for every
girl. and for many women as may wish 1t, and
as many boys. too This conference was to have
been held Immediately following the Council, but
will be held early possible in the fall.
Even before this conference outlines its program
the club woman has part to play:
To change the prevailing impression that Home
Economics means nothing but cooking and sewing
To see that the principles taught in the school;
carry into the homes
To build up a community atmosphere favorable
to the teaching of Home Economics;
To take personal interest in Home Economic
instruction for their daughters, realizing thei
moral obligation to equip them for lifes responsi