Fundamentals in the Education of Negroes. Bulletin, 1935, No. 6

Overview & Synopsis

"In democracy education holds the most promising potential solution of the social and economic problems for peaceful, gradual, intelligent evolution toward the goals which we must set up for the preservation of the ideals and the happiness of our citizenship." This opening sentence of the letter of greeting sent by President Roosevelt to the National Conference on Fundamental Problems in the Education of Negroes was the fundamental assumption upon which the conference was projected. The conference was held in Washington, D.C., May 9 to 12, 1934, under the auspices of the Federal Office of Education, and was attended by 1,030 registered delegates, 500 of whom came from 28 States. The agencies represented at the conference were: (1) State, county, and city systems of public education; (2) church boards; (3) philanthropic foundations; (4) National, State, and local teachers' associations; (5) accrediting associations; (6) the press; (7) business, industry, and labor; (8) the professions; (9) fraternal organizations; (10) youth movements; and (11) governmental agencies. Although the conference addressed itself particularly to fundamental and special problems in the education of Negroes, it considered all phases of education in their relation to the special topics under discussion. The report of the conference presented in this bulletin is an abstract of the findings, conclusions, and recommendations of the committees, together with excerpts from the major addresses made during the sessions. There are three parts of the report, comprising, respectively, addresses, consideration of major life functions, and organizational and administrative machinery. Individual sections contain footnotes. [Best copy available has been provided.]