RESEARCH NEWS The University of Southern California GRADUATE SCHOOL Rocxwe.u D. Hunt, Editor Vor. IV LOS ANGELES, MAY, 1939 No. 3 - RESEARCH IN PHYSICAL EDUCATION Research in the field of physical education has taken on increasing importance in recent years, as physical education has become more fully accepted in the educational family. Wider recognition is being given to the fact that proper physical development and continual physical adjustment of the individual can have a vital bearing not only upon his physical health, but perhaps even more profoundly upon his mental-emotional and social health and well-being. Research in this field, accordingly, is coming to deal more and more with broad fields of subject matter, general teach- ing techniques, teacher training, tests and measurements, and administration, as these affect the physical, mental, and so- cial welfare of the child. Since physical activity of necessity produces a profound effect upon the life pattern of the child, it is essential that subject matter fields for such activity be carefully selected, and be presented in terms of child needs and interests. i Among significant investigations of this problem is that conducted by the National Curriculum Research Committee of the College Physical Education Association. For the past ten years, this committee has made a nation-wide study of the selection, organization, and administration of the subject matter in the field of physical education, assisted by thou- sands of leading teachers and administrators. Annual reports have appeared in the Proceedings of the society and have been republished in the Research Quarterly. In 1937, a con- densed manual, entitled The Physical Education Curricu- lum, A National Program, presented the results of the pre- ceding nine years of research. A revised and enlarged edition appearing in 1938 included objective score cards for rating the programs in elementary and secondary schools. The manual serves as a basis for revision in courses of study in many cities and states and as a text in teacher-training courses dealing with curriculum and administration. The score cards are in use for the objective rating of schools in several state-wide surveys sponsored by the respective state superintendents of education under the supervision of the writer. Upon the completion of these surveys, the records of the various schools will be filed in the office of the state superintendent. A number of city and county superintendents are also conducting ratings of their schools under this pro- gram. The Curriculum Research Committee is continuing its studies with the hope that ultimately a thoroughly uni- form core curriculum in physical education may be estab- lished in all states. WILLIAM RatpH LA PorTE INSTITUTE OF GOVERNMENT The eleventh annual Institute of Government, under the general direction of Emery E. Olson, dean of the School of Government, will be held June 12 to 16, 1939. This in- tensive course of study, developed in thirty-seven sections by lecture and discussion, is professional in attitude and spirit and has as its aim the creation of high standards in the rapidly developing profession of governmental service and, more specifically, the furnishing of inspiration and informa- tion to persons engaged in public administration. To pro- vide leadership the committees in the various fields have selected authorities who represent the best minds in govern- mental service, and annotated bibliographies for each section will be prepared by experienced librarians. Faculty members who will act as section leaders include Shelden D. Elliott, associate 'professor of law; John M. Pfiffner, professor of government; and W. Ballentine Henley, John McDiarmid, and Carlton C. Rodee, members of the staff in public ad- ministration and political science. WOMEN’S CIVIC CONFERENCE The ninth annual Women’s Civic Conference, a study program arranged through the co-operative efforts of women’s organizations in southern California and sponsored by the School of Government, was held on March 29 under the general chairmanship of Mrs. Arthur J. White. The conference theme, “Democracy versus Dictatorship,” was based on court trial patterns, in which there were forty- four participants, representing state and local government, the Board of Education, Parent-Teacher Association groups, and members of the faculties of six colleges and universities. With Judge Turney Fox of the Juvenile Court presiding, current governmental problems were presented. The afternoon was devoted to public hearings of the court on the topics: “How to Assure Vigor and Efficiency Through Political and Organizational Reforms”; “How to Insure Intelligence and Integrity in Public Office”; “How Rationalization, Prejudice, Emotion, and Reason Affect Citizen Decisions”; and “How to Assure Democracy through Home and School.” The University was repre- sented on this program by President R. B. von KleinSmid; Alan Nichols (speech) ; Stanley Howell (law) ; Carlton C. Rodee (public administration and political science) ; John M. Pfiffner (government); Shelden D. Elliott (law) ; William H. Burton (education) ; Merritt M. Thompson (education); Frank H. Jonas (political science); and Nancy Holme (Associated Students).