Evening star., 1947-12-21

tiles, but on the family or commu-
nifty into which they happen to be
born or, worse still, on the color Of
their skin or the religion of their
parents" The economic barrier, in
volved in the high cost of college
education to the student, is prop
erly given first place in the discus
sion. THE DID, comfortable idea
that any boy can get college edu-
cation who has it in him simply is
not true By allowing opportunity
for higher education to depend SO
largely on the individuals economic
status, we are not only denying to
millions of young people the chance
in life to which they are entitled;
we are also depriving the Nations Of
a vast amount of potential leader
ship and potential social competence
which it sorely needs. The solution
to this problem, which is not fully
elaborated in Volume I, is - : as
rapidly as possible, to raise the eco
nomic and cultural levels in our less
advanced areas, and in the mean
time to provide outside assistance
that will enable those areas to give
their children equal educational op-
portunity with all others in the Ma
ton"
SEGREGATION Criticized
The barrier imposed by the pres
ent restricted curriculum, and the
barriers arising from race and re-
ligion, are singled out for less ex-
tensive discussion. The inadequate
provisions for the education Of
Negroes in the States maintaining
segregation systems are severely
criticized, and stress is also laid on
the fact that Negro youth in States
where segregation is not legalized
also frequently lack the opportuni-
ties given white students.
But what is the capacity of our
country to absorb the product OF
such an extended system of higher
education? Can the social order
utilize as many people. with college
level education as the report sug-
gests? The commission, by its ex.
tended treatment of general edu-
cation, implies that much Of the
additional schooling to be provided
will not, be for occupational pur.
poses, but for citizenship and for
daily living, "* the transmission
of a common cultural heritage to-
ward a. common citizenship. 1t Is
obvious that this type OF education
cannot be overproduced in demo-
cratic society. The commission.
however, does give a careful review
to the needs for occupational and
professional preparation. Certain
fields are selected for extended
analysis.
Many members of the medical
profession will doubtless disagree
with. the findings of the commission
with respect to the need for in
creases in the number of persons
to be prepared as doctors. Tho
commission definitely states that
go an acute shortage of doctors
is to be expected by 1860" A few
pages further on an indirect criti-
cism seems to be leveled at medical
education, without specific mention
of that field: Equally unjustif1abls
is the tendency in some professions
to restrict numbers arbitrarily in
order to maintain the prestige OF
the profession and the market value
of its services" This courageous
facing of a controversial issue will
be cheered by many thoughtful per-
sons outside the medical profession,
and by some within it.
Much to Ponder
The situation in engineering edu-
cation is presented as sharp con-
trast to that in medicine. The en-
gineering schools have expanded
their enrollments far beyond their
estimates OF maximum capacity, in
order to serve the students who
wish to study and the employers
who have positions waiting to bs
filled.
The conclusions of the commits
sion indicate that overproduction
in professional education can bs
prevented by adequate counseling
and by manpower planning. "An
analysis of estimated needs and
supply in terms both of ma
tional requirements and of enroll
ment trends is needed In all
professional fields"
A substantial part of Volume I
/ is devoted to the nature OF the
educational program that should os
provided. This treatment will be
chiefly of interest to professional
educators but it contains much for
any citizen to ponder. General edu-
cation is especially we'll treated
with reference to the need for it, its
objectiveS the methods by which it
may best be given, and the inter-
relationship of general and voca-
tional education. The Importance
of adequate counseling for students
is stressed. ~~
Chapter of the report deals
with various organizational units in
higher education. The expansion
of educational facilities through the
community college, or the Junior
college as it is more commonly
known, is advocated. Conditions in
the seEior college of literal arts and
in the professional schools are
clearly analyzed. The graduate
school, described as "the least un-
dsrstood activity in American edu-
lcation' comes in for scathing criti-
cism. Perhaps the place to begin
the process of reform is with the
graduate faculties themselves"