TOGETHER WITH BRIEF SUMMARIES OF THE PUBLISHED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF SUPERINTENDENCE OF THE NATIONAL EDUCATION ASSOCIATION OF THE UNITED STATES 1201 Sixteenth Street Northwest, Washington, D. C. THE DEPARTMENT OF SUPERINTENDENCE YEARBOOK COMMITTEES The First Yearbook-1923 CHARLES E. CHADSEY, Dean College of Education, University of Illinois, Urbana, Illinois. EDWIN C. BROOME, Superintendent of Schools, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. N. L. ENGELHARDT, Professor of Education, Teachers' College, Columbia University, New York, New York. JOHN W. WITHERS, Dean School of Education, New York University, New York, New York. ERNEST C. HARTWELL, Superintendent of Schools, Buffalo, New York. A. S. WHITNEY, Head Department of Education, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan. JAMES H. HARRIS, Superintendent of Schools, Pontiac, Michigan. The Second Yearbook-1924 ROBINSON G. JONES, Superintendent of Schools, Cleveland, Ohio. F. W. BALLOU, Superintendent of Schools, Washington, D. C. WILL C. WOOD, State Superintendent of Schools, Sacramento, California. J. R. MCGAUGHY, Professor of Education, Teachers' College, Columbia A. B. MEREDITH, State Commissioner of Education, Hartford, Connecticut. FRANK N. FREEMAN, Professor of Education, University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois. J. H. BENTLEY, New York City. J. S. HOFFMAN, County Superintendent of Schools, Flemington, New Jersey. JESSE H. NEWLON, Superintendent of Schools, Denver, Colorado. ERNEST HORN, Professor of Education, University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa The Third Yearbook-1925 EDWIN C. BROOME, Superintendent of Schools, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Chairman. JOHN L. ALGER, President, Rhode Island College of Education, Providence, Rhode Island. FRANK W. BALLOU, Superintendent of Schools, Washington, D. C. MRS. SUSAN M. DORSEY, Superintendent of Schools, Los Angeles, California. JOHN M. FOOTE, Rural School Supervisor, State Department of Education, Baton Rouge, Louisiana. CHARLES H. JUDD, Director, School of Education, University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois. HAROLD O. RUGG, Lincoln School, Teachers' College, Columbia University, New York City. ZENOS E. SCOTT, Superintendent of Schools, Springfield, Massachusetts. FRANK E. SPAULDING, Dean, School of Education, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut. PAUL C. STETSON, Superintendent of Schools, Dayton, Ohio. A. L. THRELKELD, Assistant Superintendent of Schools, Denver, Colorado. H. B. WILSON, Superintendent of Schools, Berkeley, California. JOHN W. WITHERS, Dean, New York University, New York City. FOREWORD To the Original Edition-February, 1925 "To bring together the elements for the construction of a suitable curriculum for the boys and girls of American public schools," was the purpose of the Department of Superintendence in its appointment of the Commission on the Curriculum. The 1924 Yearbook of the Department laid the basis for this program through its statement of general educational aims and objectives, through its survey of current curriculum practice, and through its proposed machinery for cooperative effort in curriculum revision in a local community. When the Commission on the Curriculum met in July, 1924, the question was, What can a national commission do that will be of greatest help to superintendents of schools who are faced with the problem of curriculum revision? The commission decided that the most needed service was the collection and analysis of outstanding research studies in each of the subjects of the elementary curriculum. It was known that many such studies of high value had been made which should be considered in the revision of curricula; but they were, for the most part, inaccessible because of their technical form, or because of their publication in isolated monographs or magazines, or because of their fragmentary distribution. A review of selected scientific studies in one volume, together with an analysis and summary of them in terms easily understandable, was the service for scientific curriculum construction which the Commission on the Curriculum decided to render. The work of carrying out the plan was delegated to the Division of Research of the National Education Association. The time allotted was less than six months. The studies to be reviewed were of a technical nature and in fairness to their authors could only be reviewed by specialists thoroughly familiar with each subject. It would have been impossible for any one person to do the work in the limited time. The leadership of the Nation in the curriculum field was sought out. Twelve subcommittees were appointed, one for each elementary school subject. A search for material was made in universities, colleges, and school systems throughout. the country. As far as possible all published and unpublished elementary curriculum studies were collected. Because of the time limit and the fact that the reports of all subcommittees had to be included in one volume, the studies reviewed are selected and not comprehensive. In some fields much more research has been done than in others. This fact explains why certain subjects are given greater space in the Yearbook. Parts I and II were reduced to a minimum in order to give as much space as possible to the review of research studies. The Department of Superintendence is most appreciative and deeply indebted for the nation-wide cooperation which it has received. The Division of Research has bent every effort to make the Yearbook possible. Seventy-five curriculum specialists have given gratis of their time, training. |