A DYNAMIC CHARTER FOR RURAL EDUCATION.

Overview & Synopsis

ALTHOUGH WE ARE PRESENTLY WITNESSING AN INCREASING EXODUS FROM FARMS TO URBAN CENTERS, IN THE FORSEEABLE FUTURE FARMING AREAS WILL FILL WITH PEOPLE AS THE POPULATION CONTINUES TO INCREASE. PROBLEMS ASSOCIATED WITH THESE EVENTS ARE BECOMING CLEARLY DEFINED, AND IF AN ATTEMPT IS TO BE MADE TO COPE WITH THESE PROBLEMS, A UNIFIED TEACHING PROFESSION MUST BE CREATED AT ALL ECHELONS OF EDUCATION. REORGANIZATION OF DISTRICTS IS ESSENTIAL IF WE ARE TO PROVIDE NECESSARY LEVELS OF EDUCATION FOR MOST CHILDREN. MULTIPURPOSE HIGH SCHOOLS AND COMBINED LIBERAL ARTS AND TECHNICAL CENTERS ARE NEEDED TO MEET OUR GROWING NEED FOR INDUSTRIAL EDUCATION. A CULTURE-CENTERED CURRICULUM IS NEEDED, INCLUDING INTERNATIONAL AS WELL AS NATIONAL VIEWS. FINANCIAL RESOURCES SHOULD BE INCREASED WITH THE UNDERSTANDING THAT EDUCATION CREATES RESOURCES RATHER THAN DEPLETES THEM. INTERNATIONAL AGRICULTURAL RELATIONS SHOULD ENCOURAGE, THROUGH STUDENT AND ADULT EXCHANGE PROGRAMS, THE SPREAD OF MODERN TECHNIQUES TO ALL COUNTRIES. THIS SPEECH WAS DELIVERED TO THE ANNUAL CONFERENCE OF THE DEPARTMENT OF RURAL EDUCATION, NEA (PITTSBURGH, PA., SEPTEMBER 29-30, 1961). (DA)