The Greenville News from Greenville, South Carolina • Page 55

THZ GREENVILLE NEWS, ORZZNVILLZ, SOUTH CAROLINA tfUXDJLY, APRIL 20, 1930. JPAOS NINETEEN (Trend Of Negro Education Gradually Upward rz 1 i 'J-Z i PHYSICS COURSE ATHANM BREWER NORMAL SERVING SECTION SURVEY OF WORK PROGRESS IfJ NEGRO SCHOOL dicates improvement hi agricultural practices and increases in agricultural production because of instruction in vocational agriculture. Some progress has been made in the consolidation ot schools, but to no great extent, due to the lack of transportation and the construction of new buildings; though It may be observed that, on the whole, increased aid is often provided on a more generous plan to a consolidated school than that given a single school. Decided progress is being made In supervised Instruction, especially so in rural schools. In the whole there has been develorjed an Education Toward Better Citizenship Is Aim Of This Institution Department Well Equipped And Ably Administered By Instructors Physics as an independent de constructed, well lighted, and well furnished buildings.

This is largely due to the influence of the Julius Rosenwald fund, which has helped to build a modern house in every county in South Carolina. Every county in the state except one, has. two or more modern school buildings. One county has modern school building for every child, both white and colored within the borders of that county. The first Rosenwald school erected tn South Carolina was located In Barnwell county in 1918.

In 1918. 1919 and 1920 three Rosenwald schoolhouses were erected each year. In 1921. 48 were erected; in 1924, 87 were erected, and so on. The colored people have appreciated Mr.

Rosenwald's efforts to help them to help themselves. Each year many splendid buildings are put up. In 1929 65.565 children attended school in 429 Rosenwald school-houses in South Carolina in 1,457 classrooms. To estimate the value of the Rosenwald movement In South Carolina would be comparable with an attempt to rate the value of an Better And Better Opportunities Being Given Colored Citizens understanding between supervisors ana teacners, tenuing toward a finer spirit of cooperation and helD- fulness. School authorities are placing increased emphasis upon AT STATE COLLEGE partment in Furman did not exist prior to 1910.

About this time the James C. Furman Hall of Science was completed and the lower floor of this building was turned over to the department of physics. Prior tne qualification oi teachers, and the State Board of Examiners for Teachers is moving raDldlv to a standard that no teacher shall be to 1910, one course was offered, sometimes two. A few class demon strations were given but no labora employed in any school wrio has not graduated from a four-year approved high school and thereafter from a two-year professional course In an accredited college. In equipment the trend has been tory work was attempted because no apparatus was available.

At the present time, the depart ment is giving courses extending through four years. In addition a course In radio Is being given during the third term of this session. These courses are equal to any offered in any A-grade college. In education lo thousands of children There were 1.221 more teachers in 1928 than in 1918 with an average salarv of $309.31 as compared with $114.67 ten years ago. Moreover these teachers were one hundred per cent more improved and elfi-cient.

Last summer 2,086 negro teachers weie enrolled in nine summer schools. They hold 5,626 certificates issued by the state, of which 3.272 are first grade. 1,732 second grade, and 622 third grade. In 1918 there were practically no negro high schools. Today there are sixteen with an enrollment of more than 6,000 pupils.

Negro institutions of higher learning have also increased in ten years from four to twelve. Their faculties nre 1926, an inventory revealed mat physics laboratory equipment in Furman university was valued at more than $8,000, and since then there has been added apparatus whose value Is above $2,000. The end of the present session will see an equipment worth about $12,000. The laboratory woik Is standard every particular. By E.

S. WILKINSON President State College A recent survey of education In South Carolina presents facts which show that the negro school Of today Is a vast Improvement on that ot yesterday. There is not the slightest doubt that it has made more progress in the past ten years than in any similar period of our educational histoiy. In fact, the trend Indicates that this has been realized in a very considerable measure generally throughout the schools. It may be confidently asserted that the splendid advancement of the race in South Carolina today is due more to the success of their schools in the increasing efficiency of their programs than to any other consideration whatever.

Negro education in South Carolina has assumed a place of Stimulating influences of the State Department of Education, the General Education Board Rosenwald fund, and other agencies, together with programs ol vocational education and the in-Jluence of a growing professional fcnlrit are largely responsible for tiie progressive trend which has been developed. Popular sentiment is reflected in the serious consideration always given by negroes to plans and suggestions for reorganizing and supporting their part cf community responsibility. A decisive movement has been Brewer Normal school was established by the American Missionary association in the city of Greenwood, In a chain of schools for the education of negroes, very early after the close of the Civil war. It is located in one of the most beautiful parts of the city and has been one of the most helpful agencies in preparing the freed men for the part they now have in the development of our great state. Until a few days ago the A.

was the entire support of the institution, but, since then, the public system, of the city of Greenwood, has taken over the support cf the high school department and made possible the development of a much broader program that is keeping the institution In the lead as a power to lift the race to still higher plains of usefulness. No other institution has done more than Brewer in reducing crime in the race In this state. Although education is becoming more expensive, this school is keeping the cost down in reach of those who need it most, and its work is keeping pace with the rapid changes in education. The faculty carry degrees from some of the leading colleges In the country, including our own state A. is M.

college. The high school Is accredited by the Slate Board of Education and its graduates are admitted to the "Freshman" class of the colleges. It has added, this year, junior college and vocational depiutments. Graduates from the norma) division will be aualilied tearh in elementary schools and will make better teachers than tho'e who 'lave "one before. The high school offers two coures: leading to the A.

degree or to the study of medicine or other professions and another to the B. S. degree, engineering ca scientific courses -In college, or to the normal or other vocational courses in this Institution. Tli Junior college offers two courses ia its academic livlsion. one will give the first two years work of a O.

A. degree or prepare for entrance to a professional college, another will eve fiiit twr years work of a B. 8. dejrree or the entrance requirements of an engineering or competed of well-trained gradu toward safer and more sanitary school buildings, with better facilities for health activities. In many instances teachers' homes and larger play grounds are befog provided.

Thus the health of teacners and pupils being conserved through better facilities, environment and program arrangement. One of the finest elements in this trend is the movement directed toward the establishment of iutimate relationship between Institutions of higher learning and secondary schools through provision of graded courses for students aspiring lo future enrollment. While there has been some critic-Urn of the attitude of public authorities toward negro schools it may be said after all that the Influence 'if education progre has not only oecn characterized by in onward inarch, but has brought to its support men and women of both races interested in human welfare and those ideals which will realize thslr greatest fruition through sound progressive system of public education lor all. The economic trend of negro education in South Carolina for the past ten Vf.i'is is therefore indeed refreshing stimulating and hopeful as the following facts indicate: Ten vears ago there were children enrolled. These children came to school on an average of C7 days each per vcar.

Today there are 217.809 children enrolled with an average school term of 114 days. An average of 152.753 attended school during this term. Ten years ago there were 3.013 teachers employed at an averape salary of $127.76 per year. Last year there were 4.496 teachers that were paid $316.39 per year. During the same period, there were 66 pupils instructed by each teacher; In 1928 only 48 children were enrolled bv each teacher VAI.IE OF SCHOOLS The value of all negro school property in 1918 was $912 000.

The value of all negro public school property In 1928 was 540.058. The total expenses for running negro schools in 1918 or all purposes was $432,160. The amount of money the upward trend of negro schools, and it is decidedly encouraging to reali7 that as agricultural and Industrial economics improve, negro schools have come in for a more substantial public and private support. This progressive trend may alro be seen in the following facts: "First, the average length of the school term for colored children has been materially increased during the last several years; in 1923r 24, the average length of the school term was 97 days, and in 1928-29, 114 days. Second, the personnel of the teaching corps of most of our negro schools has been lifted to a higher level.

Colored children attending school today are having better trained teachers. These two factors a better train Inaugurated In nearly every ates from leading universities of the ciuntry end the student Dodlcs are above the average in Intelligence and appreciation of the higher ideals of life. These instilu-tions today have a combined valuation of nearly four million dollars. There has been upward tendency even in the matter of adult schools and studv centers for negro teachers. The tendency is always to emulate educational programs of white teachers.

Ten years ago adult and night schools were unknown among negroes. In 1928 73 such schools were held with 94 teachers and attended bv 2.334 pupils. Of the latter 462 were taimht to read and 530 to write. However, it is regrettable that there are yet 181.422 illiterate negroes in South Carolina. Negro schools have been helped to a great extent by contributions frcm benefactions outside of the state.

Last year more than were contributed. The Jeanes fund gave $8,266.25 for special teachers; the Slater fund contributed the Rosenwald fund $58,900 for new buildings; the General Education board total $105,915.75. The negroes themselves contributed for the building of Rosenwald schools $79,362. There are today in South Carolina over 400 of these nodern schools ed teacher and a decent school term have raised the standard of work in the negro schools. For the first time in the historv of the state, state high school diplomas were given colored children in three high schools-Columbia, Darlington and Union.

The same yardstick was used in measuring these schools as is used in white schools. The require Of the state to equalize educational opportunity and thus nfford negro youth facilities to obtain that education and training which shall qualify them for productive service In spite of the lack of compulsory attendance laws, every county appears to be making substantial pains in the enrollment of negro children and their average daily attendance. In some Instances the Increase has been remarkable. This is espri'iallv true for rural schools. in General work In the field of vocational education wonrful progress in agriculture, hone economics and industrial education has been encouraging.

There Is pronounced tendency to adapt Instruction as far as possible to the varying needs of individuals and to make available tvnes of education that will meet desires of the greatest possible siumber of periods by giving due cognition to their Individual differences In native, physical and mental capacities, and In "1ms and ambition In life. In the field of vocations the tendency has been to measure the extent to which teaching of vocational agriculture Is functioning In making more and better farmers. Data from surveys show that more than fifty-five per cent of the boys who have taken vocational courses in agriculture are now engaged in painful agricultural occupations Kvidenre is also at hand that in and about one each week is being added. An achievement no other southern state can boast of. spent for this purpose in 1929 was Ten years ago there was one trained teacher to every 86 pupils scientific course, or through the vocational department of this in-stltr'ion, Vhe normal divisiur.

will offer a standard teacher-training course and the plan will add courses in manual-training, religious-training, building traaes, aiio-mcchftn'p! niv scientific as'i-culture. All vocational courses will graduate at the level of the junior college. Special trade courses are also being planned for those who cannot take the academic courses In the Junior college. These courses will be short and Intensive for those who have reached adult age without having had other academic advantages. All negroes who are seeking a school where their children will be given a thorough Christian education under the most wholesome environment that will prepare them for life and service should write to W.

A. Armwood. the principal. Today there Is a trained teacher ment are the same as to length of term, grade of certificates held by teachers, science equipments and library facilities. These progressive school communities should be an inspiration to other schools to reach this level.

Some twenty new libraries were established in as many schools last year. The colored peoole paid one-third: public funds taking care of one-third, and the Julius Rosenwald fund giving one-third. Any school with three or more teachers would do well to look Into this and, if possible, take advantage of it." Quoting the publication referred to above: "While negro schools have improved considerably during the past decade thev yet have far to go before they can duplicate and reenforce the excellent fight on ignorance ncif waged by white schools. $1,718,854. In 1918 there were 2.151 one-teacher negro schools.

This number had been reduced In 1928 to 1,500. The number of negro schools, employing more than one teacher in 1918, was 257. This number has Increased to 877 in 1929. Ten years ago practically all of the public schools were housed In dilapidated school houses, churches and lodge halls. At the present time from one-fourth to one-third of all the colored children in the state are accommodated In well for every 40 pupils.

ON THE FARMS According to 1925 statistics 515 per cent of the negroes of South Carolina are farmers and In a few counties the ratio of farms operated by negroes approximate 750 per cent. Of the total 1928 cotton crop of South Carolina, negro farmers produced 45 per cnt. 3 striking evidence of improved farming intelligence proportionate to VITALIZE THE IODINE PROGRAM AT The 1930 Summer Session of STATE COLLEGE, Orangeburg, S. C. Six Weeks Beginning June 16 Ending July 19.

The Big Summer Question. Settle it Early. Get Results. Earn Your credits with excellent Facilities for Study in a most Pleasing Environment. DEGREES" The only Sunnier School in the State authorized to offer credits for the Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Science DKrcfJ.

A WIDE RANGE OP COURSES: Specially designed for Principals, Supervisors, Deans, Advisors and Teachers in High Schools, Elementary and Primary Schools 4 total of 40. ind Teachers of 8pecial Subjects. FACULTY- Regular Staff supplemented by members of Faculties of other Colleges and Distinguished Public School Teachers and Administrators; A CLEARING HOUSE FOR THE UNUSUAL: Special attention given to the Needs of Students desirous of making up credits or gaining others. PRIMARY TRAINING EMPHASIZED. "STATE" Means, SCHOLARSHIP, STANDARDS, SATISFACTION.

Round Trip Railroad Rates on the Identification Plan. Fr Bulletin and Detailed Information, Address The President, STATE COLLEGE, Orangeburg, S. C..