UNITED STATES
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
OFFICE OF EDUCATION
WASHINGTON

WARCH OF: EDUC AT i Oe

Number 18 | NEWS LETTER January, 1938.

FELLOW EDUCATORS:

I know we are all looking forward to what the year 1938 may hold for educational
progress. And I know that we all hope it may hold some far-reaching improvements.
That is one-of the values of a New Year -- to look forward to improvement over the old.

SECRETARY'S ANNUAL REPORT AVAILABLE:
A : .
tone Annual Report of the Secretary of the Interior for the Fiscal Year Ending
June 30, 1937, is off the press and copies are available upon request (as long as the
supply lasts) from the Publications Section, United States Department of the Interior,
Washington, D. C. Copies are also for. sale by. the Superintendent. of Documents,
United States Government Printing Office, Washington, D. C. Price, 50 cents.

In his letter of transmittal of the Report to the President, among other im-
portant statements, the Secretary says:

"The increase in secondary school enrollments for the first time brought high-
school graduates to more than a million for the fiscal year.

"Among the significant trends noted in rural education was the abandonment of a
large number of one-teacher schools in favor of larger centralized schools. The num-—
Ber of one-teacher schools has been reduced by 10,169 in four years. During the same
period the number of rural schools offering high-school work was increased by 8835, or
5.3 percent, but the number of children attending high schools in rural communities was
increased 764,513 pupils, or 53.2 percent. The increase in the number of consoli-
dated schools was due to the construction program of the Public Works Administration.

"The salary scale of rural teachers was less encouraging. During the 4-year
period rural teachers' salaries were cut approximately 20 percent while those of city
teachers were cut about 10 percent.

"The Office of Education reports a steady improvement in conditions in higher edu-
cation. Full-time enrollments were up 6.5 percent and total enrollments increased 7.5
percent. Salaries in most colleges and universities were restored to normal levels."

LIBRARY SERVICE DIVISION STAFF:

The new Library Service Division of the Office of Education now has a staff of
four professional members, to develop and promote improved library service in schools
and public libraries throughout the country. This staff is under the direction of
Ralph McNeal Dunbar, who is the newly-appointed Chief of the Division. The establish-
ment of this Division is a stride forward in educational services.