Evening star., 1947-01-11
Adult Schooling
Report Given
ToAr|ingioIl
Community Council
Emphasizes Need
For Operation

<hAiAAS tOn 4Aeho duApAC 4CoOtu CCS u
develop broad, well-balanced pro-
gram of adult education, but inter-
ested agencies, organizations and
individuals must work and plan to-
gether If such program is to be
realized.
This is the conclusion drawn in
the social survey report now before
the community for study. The re-
port covered welfare, corrections
adult education, recreation and CT
ganization and structure of social
work. It was prepared unaer au-
spices of the Community Council
10 Community Chest agency which
financed it was $3,450 grant.
Adult education, the report states
has been described as embracing
"all activities with an educational
purpose that are carried on by
people engaged in the business OF
life." Adult education activities
however, differ from so-called for
NAL educational activities in that
they are nearly always part time
and are OF necessity voluntary.
Membership Suggested.
To insure the coordination and
promotion of adult educational op-
p ort es-now comparatively
scarce - the report recommends
establishment of a council or COM
mittee on adult education. Such a
group would be either an independ-
ent unit or under some existing
communicative organization such
as the community welfare social
council.
Membership of the council OF
committee should comprise repre-
sentatives Of agencies and organi-
cations now conducting adult edu-
cation activities "of one kind or an
other" and of individuals interested
in and concerned with the develop
meut of adult education In the
county, according to the report.
The report attributes the COM
parative scarcity of continuing edu-
cational opportunities for adults" in
Arlington to the following:
Proximity of the District; the
rapid population increase in the last
decade and the fact that adult edu-
cation is marginal activity"
Library Under Stated.
The countrywide library system
(which might be the backbone of
a variety of informal, independent
adult education activities" the re-
port states, lis under-financed, un-
der-stocked and under-staffed."
The system is able to do little
more than circulate books from its
six small" branches, the report
adds, suggesting that sub branches
or a bookmobile service is needed.
Steps that should be taken by a
council or committee on adult edu-
cation as recommended by the re-
port, follow:
/. Meet regularly to discuss over
all problems.
2. Develop a complete, up-to-
date file OF adult education oppor-
tunities and arrange for its mainte-
nance in some central place.
3. Sponsor an annual or semi
annual leadership training and pro-
gram planning conference for al
workers in adult edocation.
h Sites for Meetings.
4. Conduct a survey of present
and potential meeting places in
the county, where groups. classes
and forums of varying sizes may ar
range meetings.
5. Develop cooperative publicity
methods.
6. Encourage the public schools tc
broaden the scope of the present
evening program to include low
cost informal classes in subjects OF
current interest.
7. Work to increase the quality
and quantity of adult education Of
ferings available to colored people
8. Support the county library in
it's efforts to expand.
9. Establish subcommittee to pro-
mote development of educational
opportunities in certain specialized
subjects