Progress and Achievements of the Colored People: Containing the Story of the Wonderful Advancement of the Colored Americans—the Most Marvelous in the History of Nations—Their Past Accomplishments, Together With Their Present-day Opportunities and a Glimpse Into the Future for Further Developments—the Dawn of a Triumphant Era. A Handbook for Self-improvement Which Leads to Greater Success
John Stuart Mill · en
“The guiding principal of the General Education Board in all its efforts
in behalf of Negro education is cooperation, first of all with public
authorities and second, with agencies that are thoroughly constructive
in purpose. The secretaries are men of ability and foresight. The work
and influence of Dr. Wallace Buttrick have been especially notable. The
policies of the board are based upon a study both of educational
facilities and community needs.”
Its activities have included the improvement of country life through
farm demonstration agents and boys’ and girls’ clubs in such projects as
the cultivation and canning of vegetables; encouraging secondary schools
to adapt their program to the needs of democratic society; and aiding
colleges and universities to increase their efficiency and broaden their
curriculum so as to provide adequate emphasis on modern problems. These
undertakings have been conducted with statesmanship and a real regard
for the welfare of democracy. While the sum spent on educational efforts
in behalf of Negroes forms but a comparatively small part of the total
appropriations made by the board, the activities encouraged or
maintained have been effective in the development of cooperation with
the public school authorities, and in the improvement of both private
and public schools for Negroes.
Perhaps the most important form of cooperation on the part of the
General Education Board in behalf of Negro education, is with the State
departments of public instruction in the appointment and support of
State supervisors of Negro schools. Ten Southern States have made such
appointments. These supervisors are capable of Southern white men who
are devoting their energy with much success to the advancement of Negro
schools. Their efforts have already resulted in small but significant
increases in public appropriations, a better attitude toward Negro
education, and greater cooperation between public and private
institutions.
Another important contribution of the General Education Board has been
correlation of effort with private funds, church boards, and individual
institutions. The Jeanes fund has received financial aid and
encouragement in the excellent work of placing industrial supervisors
and teachers in many counties throughout the Southern States. The Slater
fund has been similarly assisted in the development of the county
training schools. In the study of Negro education, the agents of the
Phelps-Stokes fund not only had access to the board’s valuable records,
but were enabled to call upon the board’s representatives for
information and counsel. Church boards of education and individual
schools have received substantial appropriations from the board and
valuable suggestions on educational method from its educational experts.