The Waterbury Democrat., 1931-01-08

Washington-Publi school enroll ment in the United States in 1880 was nearly 25.O00,0oO. according to estimates of the federal office of education. The number of pupils in elementary schools is placed at about 21.370,000. and the number enrolled in public high schools at A. O3O,O0O.
 It is also estimated that there were S4S,5O0 teachers and 2b4.2OO school houses School expenditures totaled $2.oS9, ,O0O,O ,O00. The pupils in private and parochial schools. ele- mentary and secondary. numbered 2,7O4. 900.
 Tn reviewing high spots Of the educational situation for last year. the office of education reports an oversupply of teachers which 'has become matter or concern to school authorities"
 Oversupply of teachers of liberal arts subjects and of elementary school work has in some places led to stiffer requirements for entrance to institutions where teachers are trained and to higher requirements for teachers certificates.
 Normal schools are demanding such requirements as superior high school scholarship. good intelligence test ratings and other special tests. States and cities in increasing num- bers now require a minimum or three years training in addition to high school before granting certifi- cates.
 Teachers themselves apparently are busy enhancing their quaIiffca- tions. for 421. .OO0 from the staffs of public elementary and secondary schools took special courses last summer, according to cited survey by the National Education associa- tion.
 Public schools have been seeking the aid of industries for organization of industrial courses. the office of education finds, and an example of the increasing trend toward provid- ing courses of specific character to meet needs for vocational training is seen in the introduction of courses in aviation in the public schools of Buffalo.
 More than a million persons are counted as in vocational schools last year. the federal board of vocational education has reported. including 10000 learning farming. 250.OO0 taking courses in homemaking and 625,00O learning jobs in trade and industry. Most of these folks were in schools operating under the joint federal-state vocational educational system.
 Public school enrolment is being affected by the declining birth rate. The office of education does not give figures to demonstrate that, beyond pointing to the fact that in an aver age group of Americans in 1915 live children were being born each year. whereas in the same average group in 1928 less than four were being born.
 Provide More Fairgrounds
 Thirty-six states in 1880 made provisions for adequate school play grounds and more than 60 cities adopted five acres as minimum standard for elementary school play grounds.
 Many colleges and universities de- veloped summer camps in connec- ton with courses in engineering. geology. biology, botany, zoology. physical education, recreation and forestry.
 Education of subnormal and ab- normal children has been receiving especial attention. and federal sur- vey disclosed 736 cities with a popu- lation of more than 10000 which now have special classes and schools to handle children "deviating from average capacity"
 Educational research has been