Educational For 4 years, war pressures have pushed high-school enrollment down and child-labor employment up. This trend should now be reversed. Wartime uses of high-school education have been emphasized for 4 years. Long-time values of education must now gain national recognition. High-school programs and courses that have been geared to wartime conditions must be readapted to peacetime needs of youth. Public backing for this educational reconversion is essential. local school officials are the issuing officers. 4. Child-labor laws should be observed.-Federal and State child-labor laws protect children from occupations unsuitable or dangerous to them. During the war, violations have greatly increased. Three State labor departments report child-labor violations multiplied from 5 to 14 times. More than 7 times as many children were found to be illegally employed under the childlabor provisions of the Federal Fair Labor Standards Act in 1945 as in the year 1941. These violations occurred in more than 6 times as many establish It is believed that adults can now be secured to fill most jobs left vacant by teen-agers when they return to school. Throughout the war, the War Manpower Commission maintained that the first responsibility and obligation of youth under 18 was to take full advantage of educational opportunities. Now that youth must prepare for postwar services and citizenship duties, even greater importance is attached to the urgency of their completing their educational training. With parents and educational staff, particularly, rests a large share of the responsibility for keeping teen-aged youth in school. Health and Physical Education A Resolutions Tits twentieth annual meeting held recently in Washington, D. C., The Society of State Directors of Health and Physical Education1 passed the following resolutions: Shortage of Physical Education Teachers Whereas there is an acute shortage of qualified physical education teachers; and Whereas the field of physical education requires a high level of general intelligence, social adjustment, personal integration, and motor skills; Therefore, be it resolved: that the Society of State Directors of Health and Physical Education direct the attention of all professional bodies, including schools and colleges, to the necessity of recruiting young men and young women for preparation and training in physical education. Teacher Certification Whereas there is a shortage of qualified physical education teachers; and Whereas in many States temporary certificates have been issued or certification requirements have been lowered to approve partially trained or nontrained personnel for teaching in the field of physical education in order to maintain programs in local schools; and Whereas satisfactory instruction for physical education demands extensive professional and technical training; Therefore, be it resolved: that the Society of State Directors of Health and Physical Education urge professional associations and agencies responsible for certification of teachers in physical education in the various states and localities to restate the requirements for the preparation and certification for teachers of physical education in terms of needs and demands of the teaching position and the welfare of boys and girls. Physical Education Facilities Whereas facilities of sufficient number reached are requisite to the conduct of a broad program of physical education; and Whereas the inadequacy or absence of satisfactory facilities has in many instances proved to be the "bottle neck" which prevents the conduct of a broad physical education program for all children; and Whereas many States and municipalities are planning now for postwar construction; Therefore, be it resolved: that the Society of State Directors of Health and Physical Education urge governmental agencies concerned, including local boards of education, to plan now for the construction of functional indoor and outdoor facilities for all persons served by the school. Living War Memorials Whereas every community has a rightful pride in its heroes and desires to have memorials which give recognition to those who have rendered service in war; and Whereas it has been proposed by the American Commission for Living War Memorials that athletic fields, gymnasiums, swimming pools, playgrounds, recreation centers, camps, and other such facilities which will serve children, youth, and adults in the community be erected as living memorials to those heroes; and Whereas war has again shown the value of and the need for specific training to develop and maintain stamina, strength, endurance, athletic and other motor skills, teamwork and the will-towin as fundamental to our way of life; and Whereas the schools which provide such training for children and youth and also serve adults in the community are greatly handicapped through inadequate facilities; Therefore, be it resolved: by the So and type in terms of the people to be ciety of State Directors of Health and 1 Officers of the Society were: Frank S. Stafford, Washington, D. C., president; Harold K. Jack, St. Paul, Minn., past president; George W. Ayars, Dover, Del., president-elect. Physical Education that the community-school be included as one of the major living war memorials in the community through the construction of new buildings and the addition of memorial swimming pools, athletic fields, gymnasiums, and playgrounds to existing schools; and Be it further resolved: that copies of this resolution be presented to the American Commission for Living War Memorials, the American Legion, and other State and National organizations and agencies having to do with the promotion, planning, and construction of such memorials. Financial Support for Physical Education Whereas physical education is basic to the needs of the Nation; and Whereas major attention in recent years has been directed to the wartime aspects of this program; and Whereas there will be increasing demands upon the tax monies of the various governmental units; Therefore, be it resolved: that the Society of State Directors of Health and Physical Education recommend the attention of appropriate political and departmental units of government, community agencies, professional associations, and parent groups be directed to the need for planning and financing a satisfactory program of physical education for all children. Military Training and/or Universal Service Whereas there are widespread public discussions of and numerous proposals for military training and/or universal service for the youth of the United States; and Whereas much of the discussion centers around the value of physical conditioning during the period of compulsory training or service; and Whereas years of instruction and practice are required for the development of optimum physical condition, motor skills, and the habits of healthful living; and Whereas discussions and proposals for military training or service have implications which involve the educational program of our country; and Whereas many schools of the Nation have undertaken programs designed to insure for each child (1) adequate health service in the form of medical examinations and proper follow-up procedures for the treatment of remediable defects, (2) health instruction designed to provide essential knowledge as a basis for healthful living, and (3) physical education instruction and practice for the development of organic efficiency and motor skills; Therefore, be it resolved: that the Society of State Directors of Health and Physical Education approve such military training as may be essential for National security; and Be it resolved: that the Society direct attention to the long-term period of health service, instruction and practice necessary to develop knowledge and abilities of healthful living, and organic efficiency and motor skills; and Be it further resolved: that programs of physical and health education directed toward meeting such long-term requirements be encouraged, strengthened and channeled through established education institutions. Health Instruction Whereas there is need to improve the health knowledge and practice of the American people; and Whereas a comprehensive program of health instruction is an essential in meeting this need; and Whereas the effectiveness of health instruction depends to a great extent on content and the time available for such instruction; Therefore, be it resolved: by the Society of State Directors of Health and Physical Education that schools throughout the country be urged to provide appropriate health instruction in both elementary and secondary schools; and Be it further resolved: that such instruction in the secondary schools be given five periods a week for at least two semesters. Physical Education for Elementary Schools Whereas there is a need for improving the general physical condition and motor skills of children and youth; and Whereas elementary school children. are in a period of rapid and irregular growth and development; and Whereas physiologically there must be sufficient demand on the organism for optimum growth and development to take place; and Whereas physical conditioning and development of motor skills require several years to accomplish satisfactorily; and Whereas the physical education pro Whereas recreation is receiving in creased recognition as an essential pub lic service available to all children youth and adults in the community to enrich community life and offset the strains of modern living; and Whereas the worthy use of leisure an objective of education to which the schools and colleges should give in creased attention; and Whereas more than 35 States give the board of education broad legal power for the conduct of recreation; and Whereas the board of education in most communities owns a major share of gymnasiums, athletic fields, play grounds and other such facilities which can be used for recreation; and Whereas school facilities in many communities are not used efficiently for evening (after 6 p. m.) recreation pro grams for out-of-school youth and adults and for summer recreation programs for children; Therefore, be it resolved: that the S ciety of State Directors of Health and Physical Education recommend that increased supervisory service be provided through the various State Departments of Public Instruction to the local boards of education to aid them in the development of more effective recreation programs and in planning facilities so that schools will serve more effectively as recreation centers; Be it further resolved: that State and Federal aid be allocated through the State Departments of Public Instruction to assist local educational authorities in improving such programs. School Camps and Related Activities Whereas training in camps has received wide recognition in the development of character, physical fitness, work responsibility, and leisure skills; and Whereas nonpublic youth serving organizations have demonstrated the value of such programs but less than 10 Whereas juvenile delinquency re- Whereas the effectiveness of education in providing such training for youth has too often been limited by the length of the school day and the walls of the schoolroom. Therefore, be it resolved: by the So- Education and the 79th Congress SOME OME recent measures taken by the Seventy-ninth Congress of the United States are briefly described below by Ward W. Keesecker, Specialist in School Legislation: International Education The House and Senate unanimously passed House Resolution 215 favoring the establishment of an international educational and cultural organization. The text of this resolution reads in part as follows: "Whereas the future peace and security of the American and all other peoples rest upon * effective education at all levels * * *; and Whereas it is essential to collaborate with other nations to promote educational advancement * * *" and therefore both the House and the Senate resolve to urge "the participation by the Government of the United States in the creation of an international educational and cultural organization by the nations of the world for the purpose of advising together and to consider problems of international educational and cultural relations throughout the world and more particularly to organize a permanent international agency to promote educational and cultural relations, the exchange of students, scholars, and other educational and cultural leaders and materials, and the encouragement The Seventy-ninth Congress appro- U. S. Office of Education Appropriation Act Provided for the termination of all The appropriation act stipulated that "all defense training equipment purchased by the Federal Government" shall remain the property of the agency designated in the proposal and approved by the Commissioner [of Education] and that the title thereto shall remain the property of the agency authorized to purchase such supplies; provided, however, "that no school or school system shall be required to surrender possession or use of any property or equipment which it is using in its education or training program." (Public Law 124, approved July 3, 1945.) School Lunch Program Appropriated $50,000,000 to provide food "for children in nonprofit school of high school grade or under and for child care centers," and stipulated that such funds for school lunch programs "shall be apportioned for expenditures in the States . . . in accordance with school enrollment and need, as determined by the Secretary [of Agriculture]." The amount of Federal funds available for school lunches shall not. exceed the total amount otherwise furnished for the same purpose by or on behalf of the school authorities and other sponsoring agencies in the States. (Public Law 52, approved May 5, 1945.) The food is being processed in tin at school-community canning centers which are operated by local boards of education. Teachers of vocational agriculture are local supervisors of these plants and also serve as advisers to the Future Farmers of America. Chapters of Future Farmers of America are forming "Flying Squadrons" to promote the war relief canning projects. Some of these squadrons are collecting food. Some are providing cans. Some are enlisting volunteers to process the food, and some will pack the donated cans for shipment to Europe by the United Nations Relief and Rehabilitation Administration. F. F. A. is sponsored by the U. S. Office of Education with W. T. Spanton, Chief, Agricultural Education Service, as national adviser. American Education Week November 11-17, 1945 General Theme: Education To Pro- day. In 1923, the time for the observ mote the General Welfare Sunday, November 11 Tuesday, November 13 Securing the Peace Improving Economic Well-being Wednesday, November 14 Thursday, November 15 Strengthening Home Life Friday, November 16 Developing Good Citizens Twenty-five years ago Dr. Philander P. Claxton, then U. S. Commissioner of Education, initiated the practice of observing American Education Week by designating the week of December 5-11, 1920, as "School Week," a time "to disseminate among the people accurate information in regard to the conditions and needs of the schools, enhance the appreciation of the value of education, and create such interest as will result in better opportunities for education and larger appropriations for schools of all kinds and grades." Later, the Americanism Commission of the American Legion became interested in the perpetuation of such a week and took the initiative in inviting the National Education Association and other organizations to cooperate in the observance of "American Education Week." The U. S. Office of Education (then Bureau of Education) cooperated with the American Legion and the National Education Association in 1922, in arousing organizations-club, church, school, newspaper, magazine, and theater-as well as other groups and individuals to participate in making such a week a time for bringing before the people of the Nation the educational issues of the ance was changed from the first week in With American Education Week a Visit your Schools did not participate actively, as its initial EDUCATION work in this behalf had been accom- In each succeeding year the observ- Special materials to assist in the development of local observances are available at nominal prices from the National Education Association, 1201 Sixteenth Street NW., Washington 6, D. C. The U. S. Office of Education also has issued a number of publications which may be directly or indirectly helpful in the observance. A few of those issued in recent years are listed here. Copies may be obtained by writing to the Superintendent of Documents, U. S. Government Printing Office, Washington 25, D. C., at the prices stated. Bulletins State Provisions for Free Textbooks and In- Education of Teachers for Improving Major- State Laws and Regulations Affecting School Data for State-wide Planning of Veterans' WEEK NOV. 11-17 The Place of Visiting Teacher Services in the What Every Teacher Should Know About the Teaching as a Profession. (No. 95) 10 cents. Planning Schools for Tomorrow: The Issues Planning Schools for Tomorrow: The Schools Planning Schools for Tomorrow: Needs of Ex- Visual Aids in Education. (No. 73) Free. School Finance. (No. 75) Free. For a free list of additional publications issued by the U. S. Office of Education, write to the U. S. Commissioner of Education, Washington 25, D. C. Farm Youth and Tomorrow's by W. T. Spanton, Chief, Agricultural Education Service World War II has brought into sharp focus the dependence of the world's population upon agriculture the most basic of all industries. Food production has played just as vital a role in the winning of the war as has the combined efforts of all of our industries. To American farm youth, together with a large number of over-age farm operators, farm women and girls who have worked long hours, day in and day out, must go a great share of the credit for our tremendous agricultural production during these war years. It has been estimated that by the close of the war 40 percent of all farm operators in the United States will be more than 55 years old, as compared with 25 percent in 1920. This means that many new and younger farm operators will be needed early in the postwar period. Very naturally, a vast majority of tomorrow's farm operators will come from the ranks of farm youth of today. Furthermore, there is every indication. that the major portion of "Tomorrow's Agriculture" will be more highly organized, specialized, and mechanized than it was in prewar years. This means that if the farm youth of today are to become successful farm operators for "Tomorrow's Agriculture," they must receive adequate preparation in the sciences, skills, and managerial responsibilities of modern agriculture. To meet this challenge, departments of vocational agriculture in rural high schools in every State throughout the O Nation have established an enviable record and occupy a strategic position in our public educational system. They stand ready to provide the farm youth of America with the kind of systematic, practical farmer training that they will need to cope with the complex demands and intricate problems of "Tomorrow's Agriculture." Farm youth who enroll as students of Vocational agriculture in their local rural high schools pursue a 4-year course of systematic instruction in agriculture and farm mechanics under the direction of a teacher who has had practical farm experience and who is a graduate in agriculture from an agricultural college. He is employed for 12 months each year and supervises the home farming activities of his students on a year-round basis. To meet the needs of "Tomorrow's Agriculture," with its increased mechanization and electrification, practically all departments of vocational agriculture are already provided with farm shop facilities where farm youth are given practical instruction in the operation, care, and repair of farm machinery and equipment. Electricity on the Farm Marked progress was under way toward bringing electricity to the farm at the outbreak of the war. This program has been virtually halted since Pearl Harbor but an active resumption is to be expected at an early postwar date. With the widespread use of electricity on the farm will come a host of problems, such as the location of the trans former and service entrance, types of wiring, provision for future extensions, safety, and adequacy; selecting lighting equipment for yards, lots, and buildings; selecting electric appliances and equipment for the home and farm; evaluating the use of electricity in productive farm enterprises, in improvement of farm living conditions, and in saving labor; making suitable application of motors to various jobs, including selection of suitable type and size of motor, V-belt or other drives, starting devices, and overload protection; reading meters, interpreting rate schedules, and computing monthly bills; repairing and maintaining electrical equipment such as replacing fuses, switches, and outlets; repairing of appliance cords; lubricating, cleaning, and repair of electric motors; and selection, care, and operation of devices. such as farm freezers, coolers, dehydrators, and hay-drying equipment. The adequate training of farm youth in the shops of departments of vocational agriculture can be a marked factor in the future extension and use of electricity on the farm. The training of farm youth to assume positions of responsibility and leadership in adult farm organizations for "Tomorrow's Agriculture" is provided through the Future Farmers of America, the national organization of, by, and for farm boys who are studying Vocational agriculture in the public Each dot on the above map indicates the location of a department of vocational agriculture. |