This paper compares the founding of the elementary school systems of Ireland and Ontario in the nineteenth century. The systems shared a common set of textbooks that had originated in Ireland. Using examples from a number of these books, which were part of a series that had been specially prepared for the Irish national school system, founded in…

In 1966, the Arkansas Education Association (AEA) presented a plan to consolidate school districts by dissolving all school districts with less than 400 students. The proposal spawned an enormous debate, and opponents organized a political action committee named the Arkansas Rural Education Association (AREA). The issues involved were: (1) the…

Few educational responsibilities have greater far-reaching importance to the people of a State than the establishment of a sound local district structure for administering the schools. Keeping that structure adapted to changing conditions in society by reorganization of small ineffective districts into larger administrative units more capable of…

The establishment of soundly organized local districts for administering the schools has long been a major problem in American education. Methods of dealing with this problem have varied greatly ranging from compulsory reorganization of districts by legislative decree to dependence upon highly permissive laws to be used or ignored as local people…

Results of school district reorganization may be viewed in a number of ways. Frequently progress is measured in terms of the number of local districts eliminated by incorporating their territory in larger units. Results may likewise be measured by increases in the number of new districts having certain characteristics of size or other features…

The history of San Felipe School District (Texas), 1894-1971, depicts a situation in which Mexican Americans had control of local schools. Established in the Mexican "barrio" of the racially divided border town of Del Rio, San Felipe resisted annexation to the Anglo school district and became an independent school district in 1929.…

In Winnebago County, Iowa, the earliest school district was the township, organized with ungraded one-room schools. The town of Buffalo Center worked with its township school district to become, in 1895, a town independent school district with its service area being the township. In 1896 the new district offered graded elementary and high schools.…

This paper represents a brief history of rural education in Fayette County (Texas) from 1918 through 1975. The paper focuses on the personal narratives of Harry Loeb, the last official superintendent of Fayette County and Emma Diedt, a 50-year Fayette County teacher. The narratives describe Fayette County schools, school politics, and the…

Rural school district reorganization and school consolidation are put into perspective by reviewing the large population increases that fueled small-school growth in the Great Plains, 1870-1930. Since the Dust Bowl and Great Depression, population losses, improvements in transportation, and arguments advocating economies of scale and increased…

Nine major forces which will have influenced California public schools in the 1970-80 decade are discussed: reform initiatives; declining enrollment; declining public support; the Serrano decision; collective bargaining; Proposition 13; school integration; likelihood of an educational voucher system; and a proposed statewide spending limit. (MH)

Various names, such as teacher's home, manse, teacherage, attic apartment, "Lean-to" and dominage are applied to the district--owned buildings or to rooms in the schoolhouse that provide living quarters for teachers. There various titles convey no differences in meaning. All serve the same general purpose, to describe a comfortable…

Reviews the centennial celebration of the Grand Forks, North Dakota, public schools, including background research into the school system's history, unusual findings, and a description of the dedication of a restored one-room schoolhouse. (JBM)

The Saturation Project was an innovative 3-year grant program that was planned by the National Association for Public School Adult Educators (NAPSAE) but never actually implemented. The grant was intended to be given to the McAlester, Oklahoma, school district in 1961 in order to demonstrate the contribution of adult education to the overall…

In presenting this fifth annual compilation of research studies in education, the United States Office of Education continues its service of furnishing graduate students and others engaged in educational research an annual list of studies undertaken by universities and colleges, State and city school systems, and organizations known to be engaged…

Public education in the United States is a function of the States. In discharging this responsibility each State has recognized that a considerable degree of local control of education is essential. The establishment of local school districts and the creation of local boards of education to administer school district affairs reflect this point of…