The Waterbury Democrat., 1939-07-03

by sending of over l5,000 question: naires to a cross-section list Of ed- ucators and civic leaders.
 Figures Released
 In explanation of the release of preliminary figures taken from the first returns, pr. Studebaker said, "A recent article containing an an nouncement of the termination ot the forum program in New York City, managed by the City DPA Ad- ministration, gave the impression that the adult education forums hailed by educators three years ago as a force for preserving democracy were not worth the effort and ex- pense. This evaluation was clearly the opinion of one man based on his observation of one forum program operating under his general direc- tion in one city and through a rather unusual organization. Yet, the story has circulated rather gen. orally in the press without reference being made to New York City so that readers, have assumed there was a general curtailment of forums ad widespread lack of faith in them as effective instruments of demo- cratic education.
 Tn order to correct this un- fortunate transformation. am re- leasing at this time the first figures on study of public reactions to the Forum Demonstrations sponsor ed by this office but managed by local school systems. These figures show that leaders in American ed- ucation and civic groups believe in the forum and want to see 1t vastly extended as regular part of our educational system. The results of the thousands of replies will be an- nounced when the study is com pleted.'
 46 States
 The preliminary announcement is based on returns from 46 of the AS states. Of the 478 replies tabulated, 198 came from public school super intendents, 98 from public school principals, 77 from civic leaders, Y. M. c. A., and Y. w. c. A., secre- taries, ministers, lawyers, heads Of local organizations, Al from college professors and deans, l9 from col lege presidents, IA from librarians, g from forum directors and g from school teachers. These figures are more heavily weighted on the side of professional education than the final results are expected to be due to the fact that the questionnaires were distributed to the educational lists in advance of the distribution to the civic leaders.
 Other significant replies thus far tabulated show that 93 per cent of the persons answering the question naire believe that public forums should be actively sponsored by local systems of public education" and 82 per cent believe that "scholo boards should devote some public funds to forum programs"
 Ninety eight percent of the replies favor the opening of public school buildings for forum discussions. Ninety-five percent felt that school authorities should be encouraged by civic groups and citizens generally to sponsor forums"
 Movement General
 "The forums are very much alive today" said Commissioner Stude- baker. Individual programs here and there may not succeed in win ming public support, but the general movement for civic education through discussion in free public forums is growing rapidly in public favor in this country. The educa- tional profession believes in school sponsored forums for adults. The educators are generally supported in this belief by representative civic leaders"