83rd Congress Action on Education 1955

8/7/2019 83rd Congress Action on Education 1955

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83d congress}2d Session COMMITTEE PRINTu5 - .:-; ~ ' _c ; ; . : " .h+,v '- , ij -r(, '- v,cc .$:rvlC.CACTION BY THE 83D CONGRESS AFFECTING" EDUCATION AND EDUCATORS

AN ANALYTIC SUMMARY OF LAWS ENACTED, BILLSREPORTED BUT NOT ENACTED, OTHER PROPOSALSINTRODUCED, INVESTIGATIONS, BUDGET RECOMMENDATIONS, APPROPRIATIONS, AND POLICY CONSIDERATIONS PROBABLY AFFECTING FUTURE LEGISLATION

IN THIS FIELD

A REPORTPREPARED IN

THE LEGISLATIVE REFERENCE SERVICEOF THE LIBRARY OF CONGRESS

FORTHE SUBCOMMITTEE ON EDUCATION

OF THE

SENATE COMMITTEE ON LABORAND PUBLIC WELFARE


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LB:25/ :71955-

COMMITTEE ON LABOR AND PUBLIC WELFARER. ALEXANDER SMITH NIRVING M. IVES, New York ' ew Jersey, Chairman

WILLIAM A. PURTELL Connecticut J AMES E. MURRAY, Montana- BARRY GOLDWATER, Arizona LISTER HILL, Alab2maJOHN SHERMAN COOPER, Kentucky MATTHEW M. NEELY, West VirginiaROBERT W. UP TON New Ham h. PA UL R. DOUGLAS, IlIinoisROMAN L. HRUSKA' Neb raska ps lre HE RBERT H . LEHMAN, New York, - JOHN F. KENNEDY , MassachusettsRoy E. JAMES, Staff Director

II

FOREWORDThis report was prepared at the request of Senator John ShermanCooper, chairman of the Subcommittee on Education, for the use of. the Senate Committee on Labor and Public Welfare. I t is an analyticaccount of action by the 83d Congress affectin edlication and theeduca IOna pro_esslO n a I es 0 t le aws enacted 1 S

fe orted ou t of committee bu t no t enacted, other ro osa s introduc ed,inves Iga IOns, u get recommen at ions l ap proprIations , and .f l. -lCYconsideratIOns pro ba bly afiectmg future legislation in this field .T he repor t is intended for use as a reference work. I t was preparedby Charles A. Quattlebaum, principal specialist in education on thestaff of the LegIslative Reference Service of the Library of Congress.Merwin C. Phelps, bibliographer, of the Library Services Division ofthe Library of Congress, served as assistant in research. Appreciation. is expressed to Ward Stewart, Assistant Commissioner fo r ProgramDevelopment and Coordination, United States Office of Education,for his cooperation in critically reviewing the manuscript.ERNEST S. GRIFFITH,Director, Legislative Rejerence Service,Library oj Congress.

e Subcommittee on Education which is one of the five standingsubcommIttees 0 t e enate CommIttee on Labor and Public Welfare,was uncler the chaumanslup of Senator John Sherman Cooper, ofKentucky, during the whole of the 83d Congress . The other membersof the subcommittee whose service on the subcommittee extendedthrough the whole of the 83d Congress were Senator Barry Goldwater,of Arizona, Senator James E. Murray, of Montana, and SenatorLister Hill, of Alabama . Th e late Senator Dwight Gris\vold, ofN ebraslm, served on the subcommittee through the 1st session ofthe 83d Congress and up to the date of his death on April 12, 1954.He was succeeded on the subcommittee by Senator Robert \V. Upton,of New Hampshire.. Th e professional staff assistants who worked on the various billsconsidered by the Subcommittee on Education were : ~ / I e l v i n W. Sneedand William G. Reidy. Mention is also made of the staff assistancerendered by Assist[l.nt Staff Director William A. Coburn and formerStaff Director Philip Ra y Rodgers. Roy E . JAMES,Staff Director,Committee on Labor and Public Welfare .

II I


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ACTION BY THE 83D CONGRESS AFFECTINGEDUCATION AND EDUCATORS

CHAPTER I. INTRODUCTION

Because our schools help shape th e mind an d character of our youth, th e strengthor weakness of our educational system today will go far to determine th e strengthor weakness of our national wisdom and ou r national morality tomorrow. Thatis why it is essential to our Nation that we have good schools. And their qualitydepends on all of us .

* * * * * * *If we citizens succeed in this effort (to promote education), we shall havehelped to strengthen an America in which intelligence and sound ethics will bepreserved, and therefore an America in which democracy will be secure . I f. through indifference we fail, we shall ourselves have struck a blow against th efoundations of our chosen way of life.A. EDUCATION AN D OUR CHANGING SOCIETY

When our Nation was young and its economy was mainly agrarian,the needs and provisions for education were simple and simply met .The growth of populat ion and of complexities of living, accompaniedby change to an industrial economy, greatly expanded the need formore and better education.There is evidence that our provisions, as a Nation, for the administration and support of education have no t kept pace with th e times.This has become apparent, especinlly since World War II , in overcrowded schools, shortage of teachers, half-da y sessions, and widespread dissatisfaction with both the quantity and the qualit.y of theeducation being given our children.Fortunately there are signs that the Nation, vaguely sensing disaster,has begun a struggle for educational improvement. In recent yearsmore and more people have taken an interest in prodding education

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2 ACTION BY CONGRESS AFFECTING EDUCATION AND EDUCATORStoward adjustment to a new era. Already they have pushed itup the approach road of investigation and reappraisal. Theahead can now be seen as one of unprecedented growthdevelopment.A study of the history of education in the United States showsits advancement has no t been a steady process bu t has beenby certain periods of rapid change. These periods usually have beenpreceded by such conditions as(l) widespread dissatisfaction with the.scho?ls, (2) the rise of leaders in educational reform, (3)publIc concern over educational matters, evidenced in the public(4) increased interest in the problems of education shown by r'V'"'U"V""leaders, and (5) economic progress sufficient to support larger inments in education. Such conditions are in evidence today.1Unfortunately there has also beeIt some derogatory criticismeducation. Happily, that kind of clamor seems to be growingharsh in tone and the changing view ahead now includes .bearing such admonitions as "Let's attack the problem, notschools."

B. FEDERAL LEADERSHIP TOWARD IMPROVEMENT OF EDUCATIONTh e fact that traditionally the administration an d the financingpublic education in the United States is mainly a responsibilityState and local governments is generally accepted. Undoubtedly th

majority of the people wish the States and local governments to continue bearing the main responsibility. I f any serious proposal thatthe Federal Government principally assume that responsibility hasbeen made within the last 150 years it has not been seriously considered by the Congress or by the people. However, the FederalGovernment has from the beginning played an important role ineducation. The importance of that role has grown as the importance'of education to the national welfare and progress has grown .. ,In recognition of this increased importance of education from thenational viewpoint, the Federal Government has assumed more andmore of the leadership toward improvement of education throughoutthe United States. In his budget message to Congress on January21, 1954, President Eisenhower declared his intention to call a nationalconference on education, composed of educators and interested citizens,to be held after preparatory conferences in the States. The indication of leadership at the Federal level of government shown by thisaction was accentuated by his assertion tha t -

Th e conference will study the facts about the Nation's educational problemsan d recommend sensible solutions. \Ve can then proceed with confidence on aconstructive an d effective long-range program.Public Law 530, approved July 26, 1954, authorized appropriationsto finance the national conference on education proposed by thePresident. It is to be broadly representative of educators and otherinterested citizens from all parts of the Nation, and is to be officiallycalled the 'White House Conference on Education. The act alsoauthorized Federal grants to help finance State conferences on educa tion. The Congress appropriated $900,000 of Federal funds for thesepurposes. I t is expected that much of the cost will be met fromState and private sources.

1 Cbase, Francis S., A. Great Advance in Education. Nation's Schools (Chicago), vol. 54, No.5, November 1954: 43-44.

This Federal leadership toward developin.g information on .whichbase action for the improvement of educatIOn, was accompamed by. nal probes into education. During the 83d 90ngress theSecurity Subcommittee of the Senate C o ~ m I t t e e o?-. t.heand the House Committee on Un-AmerIcan ActIvItIesCommunist penetration into the e d u c a t ~ o n a l system of thev " ' ' ' 5 ' S ~ ' t ' V a ~ t e s . The Special Committee !'O I n v e s t ~ g a t e T a x - E x ~ m p t tions sought evidence of u n - A m e n c a ~ practIces of .educatIOnalfoundations and organizations; and a s p e C l ~ l s \ l b c o ~ m I t t e e of theHouse Committee on Education and Labor mqUlred mto the extentOf Federal activity in the field of education and related matters.

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.55813-55--2


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CHAPTER II. MAJOR LEGISLATIVE PROPOSALS ANDENACTMENTS 1

Bills introduced in the 83d. Congress affecting education or educatorsn u m b e ~ e d about 700. ActIOn was taken on approximately 100 ofthese bills. Over 60 of them became laws.At l ~ a s t 30 additional bills affecting education or the educationalpr.ofessIOn were f ~ v o r a b l y reported in th e House or Senate. CommIttees. h e ~ d h e ~ . L r I n g s or took some other form of action concerningother bIlls m thIS field.Action 3;nd. ina.ction by th e 83d (Jongress affecting' educJtion tog e t h ~ r a r ~ mdI?ative of several s!gnificant policy trends.. B r ~ e f dIscussIOns of th e foregomg general observations appear laterm thIS report.

A. MAJOR ENACTMENTS. Among the more important laws of general interest affecting educatIOn and ~ d u c a t o r s e n a ~ t e d d u ~ i n g 1953 and 1954 are the following:1. PublIc Law 13, WhICh pu t mto effect Reorganization Plan No 1of 1953, estal;>lishing the Departme,nt of Health, Education, a; d

Welfare, ot whIch the O f f i c ~ of EducatIOn ~ e ~ a m e a constituent agency.2. PublIc Law 83, .WhICh. made prOVISIOn for th e expansion ofF ~ d e r a l - ? t ~ t e cooperatIve agrIcultural extension education-a nationWIde actIvIty.. 3. Public Law 141, which reduc ed the postal rates on certain materIals to be. used for educational purposes.4.. Publ.lc Laws 246 and 248, which provided for amendment andcontmuatIOn of theyrograms for school construction and for the maintenance fl;n1 operatIOn ~ f schools in certain federally affected localities,a ~ d PublIc Law 731, whICh extended for 2 years th e program of FederalaId to school construction in such localities.~ . Public La,:" 325, which provided for the establishment of th eUmted States ~ I r Force A:cad.em:r, which presumably will become oneof the several Important mstitutIOns of higher education operated or

l a ~ g : e l y supported by th e Federal Government (some others being th eMIlItary Academy, the Naval Acade,my, the Air University, the CoastGuard Academy, th e M e r c h a ~ t MarIne A e ~ l d e m y , Howard University,Gallauclet College, th e NatIOnal Wa r College, and the IndustrialCollege of theArmed Forces),6 .. Public La w 530, w:hich authorized appropriations to enable thePreSIdent to hold a v-'Vlute Hou.se Conference on Education precededby State conferences on educatIOn to be held with the aid of Federalfunds.7. ~ ~ l b l i ~ ; Law ~ G 5 , which provided for fin extension of vocationalrehabIlItatIOn serVICes, including rehabilitation training.

I Prindpal sources: ( ~ ) ~ u b l i e laws Df the &3d CDng.; (2) Digest of Public General Bills, preDared in thoLegIs]at"e Refelence SerYlCe.of the,LIbrary Df Congress. final issues 1953 and J954 (U, S, GovernmentPllntmg Office); (3) a subject !Istof bIlls of general interest affecting education introduced in the 83d C o n ~ prep:,;red m theOffi?e of Ed!1cutI?n, D e p " ' : t m e n ~ of Health, Edue3tion, and Welfare, by Amanda B. life:jCaskIlI (typeSClljlt), (4) artICles lil educatIOnal Journals an d newspapers concerning particular laws an dnvestlgatlOns.4

ACTION BY CONGRESS AFFECTING EDUCATION AND EDUCATORS 58. Public Law 591, which provided cert.a.in t.ax exemption on ret.ire-ment incomes of many persons, including teachers. ..9. Public Law 610, which extended the period for the education ofveterans of the Korean conflict an d of subsequent service .... 10. Public Law 761, which provides teachers opportunity for coverage under the old-age and survivors insurance program of social

:. security. .Further information concerning these an d many other laws ofgeneral interest affecting education an d educators enacted by the 83dCongress appears in chapter II I of this report.B. BILLS REPORTED BU T NOT ENACTED, APT TO BE REINTRODUCED

(Including bills passed only by the House or by the Senate)Among the 30 or more bills affecting education which were reportedout of committees in the 83d Congress, bu t were no t enacted, th efollowing 6 proposals reviewed in this report are of current generalinterest. They may be reintroduced in the 84th Congress, and are ofsignificance in a study of educational matters of congressional concern.However, some of the other proposals contained in bills reported ou tbut no t enacted might now or later be of equal or greater importancefrom these viewpoints or from some other viewpoint. In this connection it is important to bear in mind that public or congressional interestin a specific legislative proposal may increase or decrease at any time.The following propo sals are described in th e order of their introduction in th e 83d Congress:H. R. 4229, introduced by Representative Henry O. Talle, byrequest, on JVfarch 25, 1953, was reported in the House on Ma y 19,1953 (H. Rept. 431) and was passed by the House on May 25, 1953.The bill proposed to change the name of th e Polycultural Institutionof America to Polycultural University of America, and to grant acongressional charter to that university.Th e Polycultural Institution of America is a nonprofit institutionof higher education and research in th e fields of anthropology andlinguistics with an extension of it s activities into the field of adulteducation. The Institution is located in Washington, D. C.H. R. 5691, relating to Federal educational activities, was introduced on June 11, 1953, by Representative Graham A. Barden.

The bilI was reported ou t of committee on July 3,1953 (H. Rept. 704)and was passed by th e House on July 7, 1953. I f enacted, this proposalwould require th e Commissioner of Education under the directionand supervision of th e Secretary of Health, Education, and vVelfareto make an annual report to the Congress regarding educationalactivities carried on by, or under the snpervision of, or with the aid of,the executive branch of the Federal Government.. I t would requirethat such reports include the statutory authority for such activities,the direct and indirect costs, the number of teachers, students, andclasses involved, loeation of sueh classes, the snbjects taught, andsuch other information as to indicate the size, scope, and characterof such activities. While chairman of the Committee on Educationand Labor during the 82d Congress, Hepresentative Barden arrangedwith the Legislative Reference Service of the Library of Congress forthe preparation of a comprehensive report to th e committee on.Federal educational activities. Enactment of th e proposal contained


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6 ACTION BY CONGRESS AFFECTING EDUCATION At'TD EDUCATORSin ~ .. R. 5691, 83d Congress, wOl:Jd make the annual preparation of,a sImIlar report a statutory functiOn of the Office of Education.. S. 2276, introduced by S ~ n a t o r Leverett Saltonstall on July 2, 1 ..was reported ou t of commIttee on that date (S. Rept. 496), andpassed. by the ?enate on July 6, 1953. I t proposed to continuea s p ~ c I f i e d pen?d the authority of the Secretary of theprovIde entertamment .and instruction for the welfare ofpers


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8 ACTION BY CONGRESS AFFECTING EDUCATION AND EDUCATORSelementary and secondary school systems and more nearly to equalizeschool opportunities throughout the United States. Another of these,bills proposed an initial authorization of $100 million, to be increasedLby $50 million annually to a maximum of $300 million, to aid the'States and Territories to improve their public schools in the m a n n e r ~ prescribed by their respective It'gislatures. Another bill proposed a$300 million annual program of Federal aid more nearly to equalize;the scheel ules o f s alarie s in the Nation's public schools. c,Several bills were introcl uced proposing to establish a N ationarSecurity Training Corps or some variation of universal m i l i t a r j ~ ' training. ,Over a dozen bills \vere introduced proposing Federal aid to States;for the d e m ~ n s t r a t ~ o n of public library scrvi?es. . The generalpr?posal:IS that the aId be gIven for such demonstratIOns In rural areas' wIth out,such services or without adequate library facilities, upon submissionby the State to the United States Commissioner of Education of a plan.which meets the standards set forth in the act.Th e administration-sponsored Vocational Education Act of 1954proposed to repeal the several acts concerning vocational education.and provide that Federal funds be distributed for three specifiedpurposes. This proposal is discussed in chapter V of this report,'under the heading" Other Policy Considerations."Among many other proposals in the field of education which wereintroduced in the 83d Congress bu t were no t reported ou t of eOill- ;mittee are the fo l lowing: . 1. A proposal to establish the United States Office of Education as;,an independent agency supervised by a Board of Education consistingof 11 members appointed by the President with the consent of theSenate.2. A proposal to establish 10 scholarships a year for study relating'to cancer, to be known as the Robert A. Taft Memorial Scholarships.;3. Several bills prohibiting the transmittal in the United States'mails of Communist propaganda for use in public schools.4. Proposals for Federal aid to States for basic education for adults.5. A bill to authorize Federal appropriations starting with $32 mil- .'lion and increasing to $128 million annually for Federal scholarshipsto be awarded selected students for study in institutions of highereducation under a State quota system. .6. A proposal to authorize appropriation of $15 million a year foreach of 4 years to promote State-sponsored programs of instructionin school health, safety, and physical education.7. A bill to establish a $50 million revolving fund for loans by theUnited States Commissioner of Education to United Stu,tes citizensfor study in institutions of higher education.8. Proposals to establish a Federal scholarship fund for loans tostudents selected by State agencies. .9. A bill to increase the amount authorized for annual approprIations for Federal aiel to vocational education below college grade.10. A bill to enlarge the program of educational exchanges betweenthe United States and other countries.11. A proposal to establish a Government Service University.

12. A bill to establish a United States ;,,'ledical and DentalAcademyto train physicians and dentists for the armed services and the UnitedStates Public Health Service.

ACTION BY CONGRESS AFFECTING EDUCATION AND EDUCATORS 913. Several bills, including provisions for Federal financial aid tomedical schools in the form of a grant for each student enrolled andgrants for new facilities.14. A proposal to direct the Administrator of Veterans' Affairs topa y educational institutions attended by veterans eligible for benef itsunder the Veterans' Readjustment Assistance Act $30 a month for

~ " each veteran pursuing a course on a full-time basis, or a proportionalpart thereof for each of those pursuing courses on a part-time basis.15. !t p ~ o p o s a l to direct the 90mm.issioner o ~ Education to conveyby qUItclaIm deed all of the rIght, tItle, and mterest of the UnitedStates in and to certain temporary school facilities to local educationalagencies.


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CHAPTER III. LAWS AFFECTING EDUCATION: DIGESTCOMMENTARY 1

ACTION BY CONGRESS AFFECTING EDUCATION AND EDUCATORS 11'agriculture and home economics an d subjects relating thereto tono t attending or resident in said colleges in the several com-ties; (2) imparting information on said subjects through demonpublications, and otherwise; and (3) the necessary printingdistribution of information in connection with the foregoing.The law provides for this work to be carried on in such manner asbe mutually agreed upon by th e Secretary of Agriculture andState agricultural college or colleges receiving th e benefits of this. It consolidates provisions for allocation of appropriations and

A. LAWS OF GENERAL INTEREST, FIRST SESSION . a new percentage basis for determining allocations fordevelopment of agricultural extension service.Following is a brief, analytic account ~ f legislation. of , This legislation expands a major Federal-State educational pro-interest affecting education and the educatIOnal l ? r o f ~ s s I O n directly affecting thousands of persons in rural and other areasd th e 1st session of the 83d Otmgress. Thls dlgest . indirectly affectinbCJ' th e whole citizenry of the United States andurmg . l"fi f some ofobservations relating to the educatIOna slgm lCance 0 territori es an d possessions.enactments. Display of the flag of the United States (educational effects)1 Creation of the Department of Health, Education, and Welfare. Public La w 107 (introduced by Senator Edward Martin,'approved. An early action of the 83d Congress was enactment of Pubhc 9,1953) prohibits th e display of the flag of the United Nations or13 (introduced by Representative Clare ~ . ~ o f f m a n , approved other national or international flag in place of or in a position equal1 1953) which pu t into effect R e o r g a m z a t l ~ n Plan No.1 of to that of the flag of th e United States, except at thee ~ t a b l i s h i n g a Department of H e a ~ t h , E d u c a t ~ 0 . n , an d Welfare. of the United Nations.plan was prepared in accordance wlth the provlsIOns of th e consideration of this legislation was preceded bytion Act of 1949 as amended. Th e law made the discussion in many parts of the United States concerning theeffective as of April 11, 1953. (The pIal?- would have beco display of th e flag of the United States in relation to that of theautomatically at a later date unless disapproyed ?y the CJ' Nations at schools and other institu tions, and the educationalb the House of Representatives.) Th e Presldent s messaoe of proper display of th e flag of the United States.~ t t i n g the reorganization plan ha d declared t ha t - . Establishment of the Commission on Organization of the Executive

Th e of this plan is to improve th e administrati.on of tl:e vital Branch 01 the Governme1'te purpos . '. * * * earned on In th e "education, an d social. s ~ c u n t y f u n c t l O n ~ ~ ~ ~ a l rank Such action is : Public La w 108 (introduced by Senator Homer Ferguson, approved~ ; c ~ ~ ~ t 1 ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ K c ~ ~ a ~ ~ v : ~ g ~ I : ~ e d ~ f ~ ~ ~ s e functions; which affect th e 10, 1953) established the Commission on Organization of th eof millions of our Cltizens. utive Branch of the Government. Th e ac t authorized the Com-2. Indian school properties . mission to make studies and investigations to determine what changesP bI' La w 47 (introduced by RepresentatIve Wesley A. are necessary to carry ou t the policy of the Congress to promoteu ~ ~ June 4 1953) authorized th e Secretary of the economy, efIicioncy, and improved service in the transaction of the~ ~ ~ ~ ~ v certain Ir'tdian school properties no l o n ~ e r n e e d ~ d for public business in the executive branch of the Government (whichP

urpores to State or local school districts or P1!bhc age1nciehs. Th e includes the Office of Education and a number of other agenciesstipulates that any such conveyaJ?-ce shall reqmre (1) thlat t. e tarrying out educational activities). 'be used for school or other publ ic 1?urpose, and (2) t at It o. Commission on Intergovernmental Relations (task Jorce and reportavailable to Indians and non-IndIans on the ? a ~ e terms, on education)otherwise approved by the Secretary of th e IntenOl. Public La w 109 (introduced by Senator Robert A. Taft, approved3. Expansion of cooperative agricultural education . ~ July 10, 1953) established a Commission on Intergovernmental Rela-Public Law 83 (introduced by Senators George D. A I l \ . ~ n Hons, to investigate the following problems: The role of the FederalAllen J. Ellender, Sr., approved June 2.6" ' 1953) r e p e a ~ s l c ~ r t C J ' a l n t Government in relation to the States and their political subdivisions;L A t f 11 y 8 1914 Ie atm 0 an adjustment of intergovernmental fiscal relations; justification forand amends the Smith- ever COl' a , r' A . Iture existing Federal aid programs, possible extension of Federal aid andoperation between the United States DepartlmeSnt 0 .gncu. ul possible limitation of Federal control connected with Federal aid.cer'tain agricultural colleges of th e severa tates m agnc , The Commission established a task force particularly to studyextension education. . 1 . T 1 F lISt tIl 1 t' 1 . . d t' Tl Cl . f 1. The new law defines c o o p e r a t i v ~ agncultura . extenSIOn \\ ~ r ; : ee era - a e- oca ro a IOns ups m e ucalOn. 1e lairman 0 t 1e. 1 d . (1) Th e givinCJ' of instructIOn and practlcal demonstla Commission appointed Dr. Adam S. Bennion, former vice presidentmc u e. ,b , -of the Utah Power & Light Co., to head this Committee on Federald C . (') digest of public general bills, prenared m1 Principal sources: (1) P!lblic laws of the 83 o n g ~ ~ s ; final issues 1953 and 1954 (U., S. Oov'ermnenllll Responsibility in the Field of Education.Legislative Reference S b . V l ~ \ O ~ ~ r ~ i k ~ ~ ~ a ~ : n ~ : a f i ~ ~ r e s t ' a f f e c t i n g education introduced mPrintinrr Office); (3) asUf j i ~ 1St' Department of Health, Education, and Welf,:re, byp r e p ~ r e d mthe offit)?e(4o) a t f c l ~ s ' ? ~ ' e d u c a t i o n a l journals and newspapers concernmgCaskill (tYnescnp, r ' 55813 -5 5 - - 3investigations.


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12 ACTION BY CONGRESS AFFECTING EDUCATION AND EDUCATORSPublic Law 302 (introduced by Representative Charles A. HalleckMarch 1, 1954) requi res the Commission to submit its final report i n ~ cluding recommendations for legislative action to the President fortransmittal to the Congress by March 1, 1955.

7. Postal rates on educational materialsPublic Law 141 (introduced by Senator Frank Carlson, approvedJuly 20, 1953) reduced the postal rates on certain materials sentthrough the m a i ~ s for educational pmposes. The law provided thatthe p o ~ t a l r a ~ e s m f?rce for books would apply also to 15-millimeter

films, hIm stnps, proJected transparencies and slides microfilms soundrecordings, and catalogs of such materials when s ~ n t to or f r ~ m (a)schools, colleges, universities, or public libraries and (b) religious educational, scient.ific,. p h i l a n t h r o p ~ c , . a ~ c u l t u r a i , labor, v e t e r a , ~ s , orfraternal o r g a m ~ a t l O n s or aSS?CIa.tlOns, no t organized for profit andnone of the n e ~ l l ~ c < ? m e of whiCh mures to the benefit of any privatestockholder or mdlvldual. Th e law does no t allow sending such mate-rials to commercial theaters at the reduced rates.8. Increafe of teachers' salaries in District of Columbia

Public La w 1 ~ 9 (introduced by Senator J. Glenn Beall, approvedAugust 5, 1953) mcreased the salary rates for all salary classes in titleI of the District of Columbia Teachers' Salary Act of 1947, exceptclass 29, as follows: 10 percent of the first 33,000 of each such salaryrate; 8 percent of so much of each such rate as is in excess of $3000 upto and including $5,000; and 6 percent of so much of each s u ~ h rateas exceeds $5,000. The act also directed the Board of Commissionersand the Board of Education of the District of Columbia to make acooperative study of the pa y scales and classification of employees ofthe Board of Education of the District of Columbia.This ac t is of national as well as local concern in that it may influenceconsideration by State legislatures and local school boards of teachers'salary schedule revision.9. Utilization of Alaskan resources for support of education

Public Law 190 (introduced by Delegate E. L. Bartlett, approvedAugust 8, 1953) provides for the disposition of oil, gas, oil shale,phosphate, sodium, potassium, and coal deposits in certain lands inAlaska reserved for educational purposes and the lands containings ~ c h deposits. Ninety percent of the proceeds from such dispositlOns are to be set apart for educational purposes and the remaining10 percent deposited in the Treasury of the United States as miscellaneous receipts.Th e provisions of the act terminate if Alaska is admitted to the Unionas a State, in which case all rights, title, and interest of the UnitedStates in such lands transfer to that State. However, such transferwill no t effect any lease, permit, or contract respecting these landsthen in effect.Th e act authorizes the Secretary of the Interior to issue necessaryregulations, including rules for protection of surface rights on theselands.10. Amendment to National Science Foundation Act

Public Law 223 (introduced by Senators H. Alexander Smith andGeorge D. Aiken, approved August 8, 1953) amended the NationalScience Foundation Act of 1950 so as to make an open authorization

ACTION BY CONGRESS AFFECTING EDUCATION AND EDUCATORS 13of necessary sums (formerly $15 million per fiscal year) to carry ou tthe purposes of that act.The National Science Foundation was established in 1950 to developand encourage the pursuit of a national policy for the promotion ofbasic research and education in the sciences, and for other purposes.The Foundation awards gradute fellowships for scientific study ataccredited institutions of higher education, and carries out otheractivities affecting science and education.11. lVestern States higher education compact

Public Law 226 (introduced by Senator Lester C. Hunt and others,approved Augu.st 8, 1953) gave the consent of Congress to any five ormore named Western States and Territories to enter into a compactrelating to higher education for their respective citizens. The actcreated the vVestern Interstate Com:rpission for Higher Educationconsisting of three resident members from each compacting jurisdiction to be appointed by the respective governors.The act gives the Commission the duty of making contractual agreements with any institution in the region offering graduate or professional educational courses so as to provide adequate services andfacilities for such higher education to citizens of the compactingjurisdictions, with preferences given to certain specified subject fields.12. Credit jor training in junior ROTC

Public La w 244 (introduced by Representative Leroy Johnson,approved August 8, 1953) permits certain military training in thejunior division of the Reserve Officers. Training Corps at certainapproved colleges to be credited toward the completion of 2 academicyears of service in the senior division of the ROTC when receivedunder the direction of an officer of the Army on active duty detailedto such an institution as a professor of military science and tactics-or under the direction of a retired or Reserve officer of the Army no ton active duty employed by such institution as an instructor ofmilitary science and tactics with the approval of the Secretary ofthe Navy.13. School construction in jederally affected localities

Public Law 246 (introduced by Representative Carroll D. Kearns,approved August 8, 1953) amended and extended Public Law 815 ofthe 81st Congress, which provided Federal assistance for tl1e construction of school facilities in certain localities affected by federal activities. Public Law 246 added title II I relating to school constructionassistance in areas with substantial increases in federally connectedschoolchildren, and title IV relating to school construction assistancein other federally affected areas. The principal provisions of PublicLaw 246 include the following:(1) Authorization for necessary appropriations for the constructionof urgently needed minimum school facilities for the fiscal yearended June 30, 1954, and the succeeding fiscal year, in school districtswhich, since the school year 1951-52, have had substantial increasesin school membership as a result of new or increased Federal activities.(2) Requirement that applications for payments must be filed by. June 30, 1954.(3) Provisi on for order of priority for approval of applications theamounts of which exceed amounts available for local educationalagenCIes.


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14 ACTION BY CONGRESS AFFECTING EDUCATION AND EDUCATORS(4) Limitation of payments to local educational agencies by appli-

cation of prescribed formulas. . . . .(5) Allowance for the qommiss.ioner of ~ d u c a t I O n , In hIS ] ~ d g n : e n t , to waive or reduce certaIn reqUIrements m the c a s ~ of exceptIOnalcircumstances making such action necessary to avoId defeatmg thepurposes of the act. . .(6) Grant of reasonable .opp.ortumty for a h e ~ r m g to local e d u ~ a tional ao-encies whose applIcatIOns for Federal aid have been demedby th e Commissi?ner or E d u c ~ t i . o n . . . .(7) Authoriza tIOn of $20 mIllIOn for. a,dditIOnal a s s I s ~ a n c e t? l . o c ~ l educational agencies ineligible for aSSIstance under thIS act .If It ISfound that (a) the immunity of Federal p ~ o p ? r t y from taxa;}IOn h ~ s impaired the ability to fi!l1l:nce schoB! actIVItIes, (b) su.ch a g ~ n c y ISusing due diligence to aVail Itself of tax and other financIal.assistanceto that end, and (c) th e local agency does no t have suffiCIent fundsavailable from Federal, State, or.lo?al sources to finance s u ~ l : . ., '(8) Authorization for a p p r o p ~ I ~ t I O n s of no t m?re than $00 mIllIonto make reduced payments to elrglble local agenCIeS on account of un-paid entitlements.14. Operation oj schools in jederally affected localities

Public La w 248 (introduced by Representative Carroll D. Kear.ns,approved August 8 1953) amended an d extended for a 2-y.ear penod.Public Law 874 of the 81st Congress, providing Federal aSSIstance fO.Tthe maintenance and operation of schools .in f e d e r ~ l ~ y affected localIties. Th e amendments include the f o l l o w n ~ g ; prOVIsIOns: .(1) Broad. ening of Federal property prOVIsIOns to permIt ~ n educational agency to qualify for assistance if th e F e ~ e r . a l property IS locatedonly in part in the State of th e a ~ e n ? y , or withm a reasonable commuting distance from th e school dIstrIct. of the agency ..(2) Provision for assistance on th e baSIS of average dally attendanceduring the preceding instead of the current f i s ~ a l yea r . . .(3) Inclusion of children. ~ f persons. on actIve duty WIth th e umformed services in the prOVIsIOns for ald..(4) Reduction (except in described instances) of the Federal contribution by 3 percent of th e difference ~ e t w e e n the total number ofchildren counted in computing Federal a!d, and the t ~ t a l num1:er ?fchildren in average daily attendance prOVIded free publIc educatIOn mthe schools of the federally affected agency. . .(5) Authorization in certain specifically 4e:"cnbed. Instances for theCommissioner of Education to grant a d ~ t l O n a l ~ I d to a federallyaffected school district to provide educatlOn eqUIvalent to that ofcomparable school distriets. . h 1(6) Requirement that th e local contribution rate In an y sc 00district in eontinental United States be no t less than 50 percent ofth e aggregate current expenditures divided by th e aggregate numberof children in daily attendance. . .(7) Provision that any educatIOnal agency shall be entItled toreceive any payment for a fiscal year prior to June 1956 for suddenan d substantial increase in attendance equal to 50 per?ent of theproduct of the number of children t i l ! l e ~ necessary e x p e ~ d l t u r e s . (8) Authorization f o ~ ' th e C o . m m i s s I O n ~ r of E d ~ c . a t I O ! l to makeprovisions for free publIc educatIOn for cl1l1dren resIdmg I ~ an y areaadjacent to Federal property wherein no State agency IS able toprovide suitable education, the need is no t temporary, and the State

ACTION BY CONGRESS AFFECTING EDUCATION AND EDUCATORS 15agency or district will make reasonable' tuition payments to theCommissioner.(9) Authorization for the governors of the States upon applicationbefore January 1, 1954, for fiscal year 1955 an d before January 1, 1955,for fiscal 1956 to have certain Indian children neither of whose parentsare regularly employed on Federal property included in the compilations of increased school population where children reside on, ortheir parents are employed on, Federal property.15. Incorporation oj the National Conference on Citizenship

Public La w 257 (introduced by Senator Willis Smith, approvedAugust 8, 1953) incorporated the National Conference on Citizenship.Th e law set forth th e following purposes of the corporation: (1) Tohold annually a national conference on citizenship on or about Citizenship Day, September 17; (2) to assist in the development of moredynamic procedures for making citizenship more effective, includingthe promotion an d encouragement of local, State, and regional citizenship conferences; an d (3) to indicate the ways an d means by whichvarious organizations ma y eontribute concretely to th e developmentof a more active, alert, enlightened, conscientious, and progressivecitizenry in our country.Th e eighth National Conference on Citizenship was held in Washington, D.O., September 17-19,1953, under the auspices of th e UnitedStates Department of Justice and the National Education Association.

B. LAWS OF GENERAL INTEREST, SECOND SESSION. Following is a brief, analytic account of legislation of general interestaffecting education and the educational profession enacted during th esecond session of the 83d Congress. This digest includes observationsrelating to the educational significance of some of these enactments.

1. Tax exemption jor collegiate athletic eventsA provision of Public La w 324 (introduced by RepresentativeDaniel A. Reed, approved March 31, 1954) removed th e Federalexcise tax on tickets to athletic events between educational institutionsheld during the regular athletic season for such events, if the proceedstherefrom inure exclusively to the benefit of such institutions.2. Establishment of the Ai r Force Academy

Public La w 325 (introduced by Representative Dewey Short,approved April 1, 1954) established the United States Air ForceAcademy in the Department of th e Air Force for the purpose ofinstructing and preparing for military service selected persons to beknown as Air Force Oadets. The act authorized $26 million priorto January 1, 1955, an d authorizations no t to exeeed $126 million asthe total ultimate cost of th e Academy.The ac t provided for th e selection of a location for th e Academyand gave the Secretary of the Air Force authority to acquire land,prepare plans and specifications and make other specified arrangements relating to th e construction, equipment, maintenance, an doperation of the Academy on a temporary and also on a permanentbasis.The act makes all appropriate provisions of law, not inconsistentwith the purposes of this act, which pertain to th e United Stlltt>QMilitary Academv, I lnnl i rhl A fA , 1 . ~ . ~ ~


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16 ACTION BY CONGRESS AFFECTING EDUCATION AND EDUCATORS3. Confirmation oj title to school lands

Public La w 340 (introduced by Representative William A. Dawson,approved April 22, 1954) provided that title to certain school landsshall vest in the States under the act of January 25, 1927, notwithstanding any Federal leases which may be outstanding on such landsat the time they are surveyed.vVhere, at the time rents, royalties, and bonuses accrue, the lands ormineral deposits covered by a single lease are owned in part by theState and in part by the United States, the rents, royalties, andbonuses shall be allocated between them in proportion to the acreagein said lease owned by each.4. Promotion of aviation education ~ ~

Public Law 352 (introduced by Representative Dewey Short, approved :May 6, 1954) amended Public Law 472, 81st Congress, so asto increase the total of sums which may be expended for graduatestudy by professional personnel of the N at.ional Advisory Committeefor Aeronautics from $50,000 to $100,000 annually.5. Additiona l appointments to United States Academies

Public Law 381 (introduced by Representat.ive James E. Va n Zandt,approved June 3, 1954) authorized additional appoir:tments to theUnited States Military, Air Force, and Naval AcademIes from a m ~ n g the sons of certain individuals who were killed in action or who ehedor shall die as a result of active service in vVodd vVar I, 'Yodd 'Var II,or between the period beginning June 27, 1950, and ending on a dateproclaimed by the President. or the Congress. .6. Change in pledge of allegiance to the flag (affecting teaching the pledgein the Nation's schools)

Public Law 396 (introduced by Representative L(;lUis C. Rabaut,approved June 14, 1954) amended the pledge of allegIance to the flagof the United States of America in order to include between the words"nation" and "indivisible" the words "under God."Educational oro-anizations and agencies have given considerablepublicity to this ~ h a n g e in the pledge of allegiance in yrc)er that itmay be properly taught in the schools throughout the NatlOn.7. Loyalty oath requirement oj ROTC studentsSection 731 of the Department of Defense Appropriation Act of1954 Public La w 458 (introduced by Hepresentative Richard B.Wigglesworth, approved June 30, 1954) specifies that no part of thefunds appropriated therein shall be expended for the sUl?port .of ~ n y formally enrolled student in basic courses of the semor dr,:"lslOn,Reserve Officers Training Corps, who has no t executed ~ certIficateof loyalty or loyalty oath in such form as shall be prescrIbed by theSecretary of Defense.8. Expansion oj availability oj jood jor school lunches

The Agricultural Trade Development and Assistance Act of 1954,Public La w 480 (introduced by Senator A.ndrew F. Schoeppel andothers approved July 10, 1954) contains an amendment to theAOTiC1;ltural Act of 1949 affecting the national school-lunch program.""under the legislation as amended the Commodity Credi.t Corporation has authority, on such terms and under such r e g ~ l a t ~ o n s as theSecretary of Agriculture ma y prescribe, to donate available food

ACTION BY CONGRESS AFFECTING EDUCATION AND EDUCATORS 17commodities to certain distributing ageneies for use in nonprofitschool-lunch programs and in the assistance of needy persons. AState, Federal, or private agency ma y become eligible as the distributing agency of federally donated connmodities upon designationby proper authorities as specified in the act.Commodities donated will be handled at points agreed upon in thecontract of donations. Except in case of agreement otherwise, allprocessing, packaging, handling, distribution, and other chargesaccruing prior to delivery will be for the account of the CommodityCredit Corporation, and all charges accruing subsequent to deliverywill be for the account of the distributing agency.The new legislation has the effect of providing additional Federalassistance for the provision of lunches in the Nation's schools.9. Incorporation of the Board of Fundamental Education

Public La w 507 (introduced by Senator Homer E. Capehart andothers, approved JUly 19, UJ54) incorporated the Board of Fundamental Education, to foster the development of fundamental education through programs and projects such a s -(1) giving citizens (children, youth, and adults) opportunityto acquire the understandings and skills necessary to relate theresources of the community to the needs and interests of thecommunity;(2) demonstrating programs of fundamental education andmeasuring results;(3) training men and women as leaders in fundamental education by providing internships and other experiences.

10. Provision for a White House conference on education (preceded byState conferences on education)Public La w 530 (introduced by Representative Joe Holt, approvedJuly 26, 1954) authorized appropriations in order to enable the President to hold in the city of Washington, D. C., before November 30,1955, a conference broadly representative of educators and otherinterested citizens from all parts of the Nation, to be called the 'VhiteHouse Conference on Education. Th e purpose of the Conference isto consider and report to the President on significant and pressing

problems in the field of educati on.Th e act also authorized grants for State conferences on education,and appropriations for Federal administrative expenses. To assisteach State to bring together, prior to the "White House Conference onEducation, educators and other interested citizens to discuss educational problems in the State and make recommendations for appropriate action to be taken at local, State, and Federal levels, the actauthorized an appropriation of $1 million. Sums appropriated are tobe allotted to the States on the basis of their respective populationsaccording to the latest figures certified by the Department of Commerce, except that no State's allotment ma y be less than $15,000(reduced to $5,000 by subsequent appropriation acts). For the purpose of this ac t the term "State" includes the District of Columbia,Alaska, Hawaii, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands.11. Authorization of cooperative research in educationIn order to enable the United States Office of Education to accomplish more effectively the purposes and perform the duties for whichit was originally established, Public Law 531 (introduced by Represent-


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18 ACTION BY CONGRESS AFFECTING EDUCATION AND EDUCATORSative John J. Rhodes, approved July 26, 1954) authorized the Oommissioner of Education to enter into contracts or jointly financedcooperative arrangements with universities and colleges and Stateeducational agencies for th e conduct of research, surveys, anddemonstrations in th e field of education.Th e ac t requires th e Oommissioner of Education to transmit to theOongress annually a report concerning the research, surveys anddemonstrations initiated thereunder, and related matters. '12. Establishment vf a National Advisory Committee on Education

Public Law 532 (introduced by Representative Peter Frelinghuysen,Jr., approved July 26, 1954) established a National Advisory Oommittee on Education for the purpose of securing for the Secretary ofHealth, Education, and Welfare the advice of a group of representativecitizens on the initiation and conduct of studies of problems of nationalconcern in the field of education an d on appropriate action as a resultof the studies.The act specified that the Oommittee shall be composed of ninemembers appointed without regard to the civil-service l aws by th eSecretary from among individuals who are no t otherwise in officeunder or in the employ of th e Federal Government. A majority ofth e members must be other than professional educators. Th e Secretary is required to designate one of the members to serve as Ohailman.Th e Oommissioner of Education is an ex officio, nonvoting memberof the Oommittee, which is required to meet at th e call of th e Secretarybu t no t less often than three times each calendar year.13. Extension of vocational rehabilitation services (including trainingjor rehabilitation)

Public Law 565 (introduced by Senator H. Alexander Smith andothers, approved August 3,1954) amended th e Vocational Rehabilitation Act with the purposes to promote and assist in the extensionan d improvement of vocational rehabilitation services, provide for amore effective use of available Federal funds, an d otherwise improveth e provisions of that act, an d for other purposes.Public La w 565 authorizes appropriations for grants to assist: (1)States generally in meeting the costs of their rehabilitation programs;(2) States in initiating extensions of, and improvements in theirrehabilitation programs; and (3) in meeting costs of projects directedtoward the solution of rehabilitation problems of regional or nationalsignificance. The act broadens the scope of rehabilitation servicesfor which such grants ma y be used. It changes the formula forallocation of Federal funds to States. It makes available for fiscalyears 1955 an d 1956 special project grants for helping States to plan,prepare for, an d initiate a substantial expansion in their vocationalrehabilitation programs. I t provides for a gradual adjustment overa 2-year period from the former Federal-State matching ratios tothose provided in the new act, an d gives the States a reasonablelength of time otherwise to adjust their State programs to the newprovisions.14. Tax exemption jor teachers' retirement incomes

Public Law 591 (introduced by Representative Daniel A. Reed,approved August 16, 1(54) revised the internal revenue laws of theUnited States. Section 37 provides that (in addition to th e usual

ACTION BY CONGRESS AFFECTING EDUCATION AND EDUCATORS 19:pe:r:sonal exemption) up to $1,200 of the retirement income of allretIred persons over.age 65, an d of persons under age 65 whose pensionsa ~ e . tax-financed, WIll be. exempt from Federal taxation. Other prov i s l O n ~ of the ac t J:>ermlt work mcome up to $900 yearly withoutreductlOn of exemptlOn.A large percentage of the Nation's retired teachers and other retiredschool employees, together numbering over 100000 will be eligibleto benefit from the new legislation. ' ,15. Extension oj the period jor veterans' education

Public Law 610 (introduced by Representative William L. Springer,approved August 20, 1(54) amended the laws "Tantino- educationalbenefits to certain veterans so as to extend the period during whichsuch benefits ma y be offered.Under this act veterans ha-ying eligi1;>ility under title II , Public La w550, 82d c.ongress,. have untIl August 20, 1955, or 3 years after dis

c h a q ~ e , whIchever IS lateF, to sta:r:t theiF education or training. Theyare gI-ye.n 8 years after dIscharge m whlCh to complete their educationor trammg.Veterans with service-connected disabilities are given from 9. to 13, years to complete rehabilitation training delayed on account of illnessor other specified reasons.

16. Extension oj certain benefits to members oj ROTCPublic Law 638 (introduced by Representative Harold H. Velde,approved August 24, 1954) extends th e coverao-e of th e Servicemen'sIndemnity Act to m ~ m b e r s of the Reserve Officers Training Oorps(Army, Navy, and All' Force) when called or ordered to active dutyfor 1 ~ days or mo:r:e while on such active duty. The law made theeffectIve date of tIns enactment Apri l 25 1951.T h i ~ ac t provides an added i n d u c e m ~ n t to eligible individuals toenrollm the ROTO at colleges and universities.

17. Educational benefits to certain members oj the Women's ArmyAuxiliary CorpsPublic La w 650 (introduced by ~ e p r e s e n t a t i v e Edmund P. Radwan,

~ p p r o v e d February 23, 1954) prOVIdes benefits under the laws adminIstered by the. Veterans' Administration to any person who served atleast 90 days m the Women's Army Auxiliary Oorps and was honorably discharged for disability rendering he r physically unfit to performfurther service in such corps. .Under this ac t such persons are eligible to receive certain educationaland other benefits.

18. Educational assistance to other nationsPublic Law 665 (introduced by Representative Robert B. Ohiperfield, approved August 26, 1954) overhauled th e administrative structure and t h ~ basic policies of thejegislation involved in foreign affairs.A I ? o ~ g vanous o t ~ e r p r o v i s i o n ~ , the act authorized specified appropnatlOn? for techmcal c o o p e r a ~ l O n of the United States with friendlypeoples I ~ undeveloped. c o u n t n ~ s to promote their economic progressthrough mcrease of their techmcal knowledge an d skill.The act continues th e authority of th e Secret&ry of State to com

plete a program for paying the educational and related cost of Ohineseand Korean students in the United States.


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20 ACTION BY CONGRESS AFFECTING EDUCATION AND EDUCATORS19. Incorporat1:on of the N a ~ i o n a l Fund for Medical Education

Public Law 685 (introduced by Senator Robert A. Taft, approvedAugust 28, 1954) incorporated the National Fund for Medical Education. The act provides that th e purposes of th e corporation shallbe to promote th e following objectives: (1) The interpretation of th eneeds of medical education to th e American public; (2) th e encouragement of the growth, development, and advancement of constantlyimproving standards for medical education; and (3) th e preservationof academic freedom in the institutions of medical education and inaiding the equality of educational opportunity, et cetera.20. $100 milHon for milk for schoolchildrenSection 201 (c) of the Agricultural Act of 1949 as amended byPublic Law 690 (introduced by Representative Clifford R. Hope, ap proved August 28, 1954) provided tha,.t beginning September J, 1954,and ending June 30, 1956. not to exceed $50 million annually of th efunds of the Commodity Credit Corporation shall be used to incre3seth e consumption of fluid milk by children in nonprofit schools of highschool grade or under.21. New England higher education compact

Public La w 719 (introduced by Representative Laurence Curtis,approved August 30, 1954) granted th e consent of Congress that anytwo or more of the States of Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, NewHampshire, Rhode Island, and Vermont enter into a compact relatingto higher education and establish the New England Board of HigherEducation.22. Extension oj the period Jor aid to school construction in certainlocalitiesPublic La w 731 (introduced by Senator Robert W. Upton and others,approved August 31, 1954) amended Public La w 815, 81st Congress,so as to extend for 2 additional years the program of Federal assistancefor school construction under title III of that act as amended byPublic Law 246, 83d Congress. This title provides for Federal aid toschool construction in certain federally affected localities.23. Postponement oj "absorption" requirement

Public La w 732 (introduced by Senators Robert W. Upton andStyles Bridges, approved August 31,1954 (postponed the effective dateof the 3 percent "absorption" requirement in Public Law 874, 81stCongress, for a period of 1 year. In the meantime payments made toschool districts in areas affected by Federal activities will continue tobe based upon the number of all eligible children attending the classesof such districts who are residing on or whose parents are employedon Federal property.24. Oranting oj degrees

Public Law 733 (introduced by Senator Robert C. Hendrickson,approved August 8, 1954) authorized the commander, Air University,to confer appropriate degrees upon persons who meet all requirementsfor those degrees in the Resident College of the United States AirForce Institute of Technology.25. Authorization oj appropriation Jor Pan American Institute ojGeography and HistoryPublic Law 736 (introduced by Representative Donald L. Jackson,approved August 31, 1954) authorized appropriations to meet the

ACTION BY CONGRESS AFFECTING EDUCATION AND EDUCATORS 21obligations of the United States as a member of the Pa n AmericanInstitute of Geography and History.The Institute engages in research and educational an d relatedactivities in th e fields of geogra phy and history.26. Change in copyright lawPublic Law 743 (introduced by Representative Shepard J. Crumpacker, Jr., by request, approved August 31, 1954) provides thatwhen th e Universal Copyright Convention, signed by the United Statesin 1952, is in effect between the United States and another country,alien authors shall be protected under the copyright laws withoutnecessarily having complied with the mechanical reproduction,deposit, and other provisions. Th e new ac t also provides that theletter C enclosed within a circle shall constitute notice of copyright.This act may affect the legality and practice of reproduction anddistribution of published materials jn some schools and institutionsof higher education. .27. Extension of social security to teachers

Public Law 761 (introduced by Representative Daniel A. Reed,approved September 1, 1954) amended the Social Security Act an dthe Internal Revenue Code so as to extend coverage under the old-ageand survivors insurance program, increase the benefits payablethereunder, preserve the insurance rights of disabled individuals, andincrease th e amount of earnings permitted without loss of benefits,and for other purposes.Included among the many provisions of this ac t is one makingFederal social security benefits available to employees covered byState or local retirement systems-including members of the educational profession-at their option.A Federal agreement with a State may be made applicable toservice performed by employees in positions covered by a retirementsystem only if the governor of the State certifies to the Secretary ofHealth, Education, and Welfare that th e following conditions havebeen met:(1) A referendum by secret written ballot has been held on th equestion of whether service covered by such retirement systemshould be excluded from or included under such agreement;(2) An opportunity to vote in such referendum was given, and waslimited, to employees eligible as defined in th e act; ,(3) Not less than 90 days' notice of such referendum was givento all such employees;. (4) Such referendum was conducted under th e supervision of thegovernor or an agency or i.n?ividual designated b:y- him; and. .(5) A majority of the elIgIble employees voted III favor of IllclusIOnunder the Federal-State agreement.

C. LAWS OF SPECIAL OR LOCAL INTERESTBesides the legislation of more general interest already reviewed,the 83d Congress ~ n a c t e ~ a number: ?f laws of principal i r : t e r ~ s t t.ospecial groups, or II I partIcular localItIes. Some of thIS legIslatIOn ISof additional interest in that it is indicative of Federal-State, Federallocal, or Federal-institutional relationships in education. Laws

which might be placed in this category include th e following:


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22 ACTION BY CONGRESS AFFECTING EDUCATION AND EDUCATORS1. School lands in Colonial National Historical Park

Public La w 27 (introduced by Representative Edward J. Robeson,Jr., approved May 13, 1953) authorized the Secretary of the Interiorto accept from the York County School Board, State of Virginia,certain lands and the improvements thereon, within the authorized,park area of the Colonial National Historical Park of Virginia, inexchange for other lands therein.2. School lands in Gettysburg National Military Park

Public La w 167 (introduced by Senators Edward Martin and JamesH. Duff, approved July 1, 1953) authorized the Secretary of theInterior to convey certain lands in Gettysburg National :Military Parkto the State of Pennsylvania for p u b l i ~ s c h o o l purposes in exc)1angefor non-Federal land of approximately equal value to become a partof such parlL3. Amendment oj the act incorporating the American University

Public Law 183 (introduced by Senator John J. Sparkman, approvedAugust 1, 1953) amended the ac t of 1893 incorporating the American'University in Washington, D. C'. Th e amendment vests supervisionof the university in the board of education of the Methodist Churchincorporated in the State of Tennessee, in matters of the selection oftrustees, property interests, and amendments to the charter.4. Federal representation at Columbia University celebrationPublic La w 249 (introduced by Representative Jacob K. Javits,approved August 8, 1953) authorized the recognition of the 200thanniversary of the founding of Columbia University in the city ofNew York and provided for representation of "the Government ofthe people of the United States" in observance of this anniversary.5. Authorization jor Hawaiian acquisition oj certain lands jor schoolp1lrposes

Public La w 416 (introduced by Delegate Joseph R. Farrington,approved June 18, 1954) authorized the commissioner of public landsof the Territory of Hawaii to exchange public lands for private landsof equal value needed for certain s(;hool purposes.6. Amendments to charter oj the Columbia Institution jor the De.aj

Public La w 420 (introduced by Representative John Phillips, approved June 18, 1954) amended the chartf'r of the Columbia Institution for the Deaf, changing its name to Gallaudet College. The actdefined the corporate powers of the college, provided for it s organization and administration, and authorized appropriations by the Congress for it s operation, maintenance, and improvement.7. QU1:tclaim oj Federal rights in certain school land

Public Law 473 (introduced by Reprf'sentative vV'. M. Wheeler,approved July 2, 1954) directed the Secretary of Agriculture to quitclaim retained rights in a certain tract of land in Irwin County, Ga.,to the board of education of that county.8. Sale oj certain Federal property jor educational use

Public La w 505 (introduced by Representative Frank Small, Jr.,approved July 16, 1954) directed the Secretary of Health, Education,and Welfare to convey certain real property to the board of education

ACTION BY CONGRESS AFFECTING EDUCATION AND EDUCATORS 23of Prince Georges County, Md., for educational purposes for anamount equal to a fair market value of the property with mineralrights reserved to the United States.9. Conveyance oj certain Federal lands jor school purposes

Public La w 652 (introduced by Representative W. F. Norrell, approved August 24, 1954) authorized the conveyance to the Ho tSprings School District and to Garland County, Ark., for school an dfor other public purposes, of certain land originally donated to theUnited States and situated in Ho t Springs National ParlL10. Transjer oj certain Federal land to local school district

Public Law 657 (introduced by Representative Wesley A. D'Ewart,by request, approved August 24, 19.54.) directed the Secretary of ~ h e Interior to transfer 40 acres of land m the Northern Oheyenne IndIanReservation Mont., to school district No.6, Rosebud County, Mont.,reserving, h ~ w e v e r , to the Northern Cheyenne Indian tribe all mineralrights, including gas and oil.11. Construction oj school jacilities on an I nd1'an reservationPublic Law 716 (introduced by Representative Sam Ooon, approvedAugust 30, 1954) authorized an appropriation for the c o n s t r u c t ~ o n ofcertain public-school facilities on the Klamath Indian ReservatlOn atOhiloquin, Oreg.


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CHAPTER IV. INVESTIGATIONS, BUDGET, APPROPRIATIONSA. INVESTIGA'rIONS OF CONTINUING INTEREST

. The Constitution ?f the United States gives both the President andthe Congress authorJty t? conduct investigations in the interest of theGovernment. Th e PreSIdent depends upon his Cabinet, the WhiteHou.se staff , ~ n d the departments and agencies of the executive branchfor ~ n f o r m a t I < ? n , r e s e a r ~ h , and a d v i c e ~ Th e Congress receives suchservICe from I t ~ C ~ ) l ~ m I t t e e s and commissions, their staffs, personnelempl.oyed by m ~ l v l d u a l Members, and the Legislative ReferenceSlervlCe


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26 ACTION BY CONGRESS AFFECTING EDUCATION AND EDUCATORS. L:such as the American Council on Education, the Rockefeller Fouu:aa::'tion the Ford Foundation, and the General Education Board, wen!made public. . . . . ~ ' . : ~ .At the time of this writmg the SpeCIal CommIttee To InvestIgate.Tax-Exempt Foundations has not issued a report of it s work.Pursuant to House Resolution 115, 83d Congress, 1st session,June 14 1954 Chairman Samuel K. McConnell, Jr., of theCommittee on'Education and Labor appointed RepresentativeW. Gwinn (Republican of New York) to be chairman ~ f . a Sp ,

Subcommittee To Investigate the Extent of Federal Act;lVlty m thy.Field of Education. Chairman McConnell also appomted otherMembers to serve on the subcommittee and set forth it s duties asbeing: ~ * * * to investigate the extent of Federal activity in th e field of eC.uc8.tion so as to(1) ascertain which agencies a,re e r : g ? , ~ e d in e ( ' ~ c 2 , t i o n ; (2) find ou t to whatextent, if any, th e educl),tional actIvItIes of v".nou.s ~ e c ' e r ~ . l c e p 8 , r ~ m e ~ t s !"nd.agencies a,re coordinated in th e United States Office 0: E-ucp.tlOn; (!3) mqUlre mto.the ba.sir legisla.tion creating the. U n i t ~ d Ste.tes Office of E c . ~ c p , t l O ~ p,nd makerecommenda.tions as to whether thIS hl'.SIC law should ce restatefi . an d w ~ e t h e r laterena.hling legislation, to the extent it is permp.nent, c'efi?!ng th e functJ':>llS of theUnited St8.tes Office of Education should be conso!J0.e,ter'. mto a !1ew.be,slC s t p , t ~ t e , ll.nd (4) 8.scertRin what influence, if 2.ny, is exerted on e d u ~ z . t l O n m t? e UmtedStates by the United States Office of E J u c a ~ i o r : ; and. what m f l u e ~ c e , If any! ?yvarious nonoovernmente.l groups e.nd aSSOCIatIOns, IS reflected m th e polICIesof th e United States Office of Education.Soon after its appointment the subcommittee began !ts investigations, which included public hearings in September and m November

1954. il D l ' ., 'Th e Senate Subcommittee To Investigate Juven e e mquency m .th e United States was appointed on August 4, 1953, by the cha.irmanof the Committee on the Judiciary, pursuant to Senate ResolutIOn 89of June 1, 1953. On January 27, 1954, the Senate voted to extendthe work of the subcommittee to January 1,1955.. . _Under the chairmanship of Senator Robert C. Hendnckson, durlllgthe 83d Congress, the subcommittee engaged in a broad ~ t u d y ofjuvenile delinquency .in the 1 ! n i t e ~ States. The study m c l u ~ e d inquiry into the close mterrelatlOnships of the problems of educatIOnand of juvenile d e l i n q u e n c y . . . .In testimonv before the subcommIttee, the Umted States CommISsioner of Education stated that:Th e school is related to juvenile delinquency in three ways: It. me.y :producedelinquency; it may help to p ! " e v : e n ~ c.elinquency: it ma y deal WIth delmquentbehavior that is encountered wlthm Its walls.

The Commissioner proposed measures to enable the schools better tocope with problems of d e l i ~ q u e r : - c y . .In its interim report on Juvenile delInquency dated lvfarch 15, 1954,th e Committee on the JUdiciary said:Th e su1-,committee (investigating juvenile c e l i n ~ u e n c y ) durin!S 9.11 j ~ s h e 9 . r i ~ g s h&.s been impressed hy the numr'er. of persons WIth .long exp erIen ce m workJr:gwith c'elinquents who have empha.slzed the role whICh the schools can play II Ith e prevention of juvenile delinquency. .

B. BUDGET AN D APPROPRIATIONS, 1954 AND 1955President Truman's message of January 9, 1953, transmitting theBudget of the United States Government for the fiscal year 1954

ACTION BY CONGRESS AFFECTING EDUCATION A.."1>{D EDUCATORS 27contained an estimate of $288 million for education and generalr e ~ ~ a r c h - n o t i n c ~ u d i n g ."education and research in carrying


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ATION AND EDUCATORS28 ACTION BY CONGRESS AFFECTlliG EDUC. th budget requests (PresidentTh e following table s u m n : . a ~ : z e s fineally m ~ d e for certain majorTruma;n's) andd thle lapprolP::dplo:rSposes for th e fiscal year 1954:educatIOnal an c ose y re a

Agency and pro.gramAtomic Energy Co.mmissio.n, fello.wshlp prQgram ________________________Department o.f Agriculture: . _________________________Agricultural e x t e n ~ l O n servICc_______________ ___________________Agricultural expenment statLOns__________________ _________ _School-lunch program ____ -, --------- -.-- -- --:- -- ---- -- -----Department Df Health, EducatlOn, and. Welfare.Office f ! r ~ ~ ~ ~ J ' ~ ~ ~ e n s e s _______________________________________=====~ ~ c a t i o n a l educatio.n below college grade ________________________Support o.f land-grant co.lIegcs ..-----------------------------Aid to. federally affected locahtles: ______ .It __________ _Scho.olho.use constructlOn._______________ __________ _

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ f 3 ! ~ t ~ ~ t ! ~ ~ ~ ; ; = ~ i i ~ ~ ~ - j ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ : : : = = : = : : = : Department o.f the Inteno.r, e ~ u ~ a l educational exchanges________ , _____ _Department o.f State, mterna 10 _______________________f 1 ~ { ; ~ ' J a l o . ~ 3 ~ ~ g ' ? o u n d a t i o n = = = = : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : ___::= _________________~ ~ l : ~ ; ~ ~ I ~ d ~ f ~ I ~ : ~ ~ i o n : e d u c a t i o n - o i - v e t e ; : a n s : : : = - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Budgetrequest 1$311,000

35,297,73713,721,70883,236, 1973,250,00025,811,5925,051,500

(')70,000,00023,725,0004,875,00032,663,0603 16,751,00010,049,96015.000,0003,525,000673, 333, 278

Appro.priatio.n L$311,000

35,294,56413,721. 70883,236,1972,900, 00025,811,5925,051,500

125, 000, 00072,350,00023.655,5002.555,00032,951,6473 14, 965. 0009,459,293 S, 000. 0003,000.000, 532, 241, 700

1 So.urce: Budget Dffices Df the respective agencies. In so.me cases the data include supplementals,transfers, etc. d t n withh eld pending l ater investigatlo.n. f hlch funds are included in the appro..2 Recomnlen a 10 f d cational exchange programs or w3 ND t including amo.unts Dr e u . s (Department Df State).priation fDr government o.f o.CCUll,\d a \ j ~ c t no.t In o.riginal budget request. Includes $2 millio.n fo.r a s P ~ C t d . i : ~ ~ l i s t " ; ' t i o . n o.f funds appro.priated., AlIo.catio.n by the Veterans . .. . , f January 21, 1954, t r a n s m l t t l ~ g President EIsenhower s messago0 ment for the fiscal year 19;)5the budget of t h ~ U n i t e ~ ~ 1 ~ ~ s m d l i o ~ n f o r expenditures listed :undercontained an estlmate 0 1 R ch" This figure dId notthe heading "Educatioda n ~ . GenerJ' r e s ~ ~ ~ ; h ';in connection with th :include amounts ~ o r e u?a IOn an and certain other programs * *military, veterans , a ~ o n l l c fenhrgl dO' t " Estimates for these ~ d u c a classified in other sectIOns 0 t e u bet' altogether segregable III thetional and research programs are nobudget. . , . t t t 've estimate bv the Veterans'At the time of thIS wrItmg, a ena ~ d cation fo ; the fiscal yearAdministration of the cost o ~ : r e t e r a c s o ~ ~ t a t i o n of the approximate1955 sets the fig':lre at $ 6 ~ m ~ ~ I O ~ \ v i l l be ~ s e d for educational and ~ e total of approprIated fun s W ICN A' r Force and other agenCIessearch programs of the ~ r m y , a Y Y ' t i o ~ An inclusive study madewould requ!re v,ery extenSIVe l S v e s ~ l ~ a of the Library of Congress forin the LegIslatIVe ~ e f e r e n c e ~ h ~ c the total for 1955 will probablythe fiscal year 19;)0 suggests. . a f dollarsamount to several hundred nllihons 0 t estimate of expendituresPresident Eisenhower's .total tG1ge 1 R e s ~ a r c h " for fiscal 1955under the heading " E c l u c a ~ o n ~ r : a t : 7 ~ r a e x p e n ~ l i t u r e s listecl underis $65 millior: less t h ~ ~ t e ~ s l m ~ n ) bud et for fiscal 1954. Howthis heading m the ongmal (,Irum ded ~ ' n e w obligational authorever, President Eisenh?ll,:,er r t c o m ~ : ~ t of President Truman's budgetity" amonnting to $8 ml IOn a ovefor 1954.' . from Pj'esidcnt Eisenhower'S. lengthyF II are extracts 1 I' 0 owmg , . cl a Lion "nd genera rcscm c 1.budget sLatement concermng e u e ~

ACTION BY CONGRESS AFFECTING EDUCATION AND EDUCATORS 29I t is my intention to call a natiOl181 conference on education, c o m p o ~ e d ofeducators and interested citizens, to be held after preparatory conferences in th eStates. This conference will study th e facts about th e Nation's educationalproblems and recommend sensible solutions. We can then proceed with confidenceon a constructive and effective long-range program. Pending the outcome ofthese conferences and the development of ou r educational program, th e FederalGovernment is providing assistance to those communities where school needshave been greatly increased by the activities of th e Federal Government.* * * * * * *Sixty-two percent of th e expenditures for education an d general research inth e fiscal year 1955 will be for grants to those local schools districts that havebeen burdened by Federal activities. Another 13 percent will be for grants to

States to help Support their vocational education programs and their land-grantcolleges * * *.* * * * * * *Th e Office of Educat.ion * * ~ , disseminates information on educational trendsan d good practices. In recent years, th e problems of education have been increasing in severity while this service has been red,uced. My budget recommendationsprovide for an expansion of this basic activity.* * * * * * *Within th e appropriation recommended for th e Office of Education in thisbudget is provision to expand th e studjes and consultations through which itpromotes better practices in education. One problem to which particular a.ttentionwill be given is th e meager education received by children of migrant agriculturalworkers. Because these children move with their parents from State to State, th eproblem of prOviding for their education can be solved only through special efforton a cooperative interstate basis.In addition, I recommend that legislation be enacted which will enable th eOffice of Education to join its resources with those of State and local agencies,

universities, and other educational organizations for the conduct of cooperativeresearch, surveys, and demonstration projects. Legislation is necessary to makethis cooperative effort effective.An advisory committee on education in th e Office of th e Secretary of Health,Education, an d 'Welfare should be established by law. This recommendationcarries forward a,n objective of th e reorganization plan under which the Department was created last year. This committee, composed of lay citizens, wouldidentify educa,tional problems of nationa.l concern to be stucjed by the Office ofEducation or by experts outsice the Government, and \yould advise on actionneeded in th e light of these stueies.Fo r these new activities directed toward the improvement and strengthening ofou r basic eclucational services, I am including $300,000 in the 1955 budget an drecommencing a 1954 supplemental a,ppropIiation of $2 million.Th e appropriation of $40 million for school construction recommended for 1955,together with the 1954 appropriation of $70 million, will provide for the mosturgent classroom needs of th e school districts eligible for this aid uncer the extene.ed program. These funds ar e being used to help build almost 5,000 class-rooms to serve 140,000 children. ,

* * * * * * *Additional basic research is needed to build lip t.he fund of knowledge 011 whiehwill be ba.secl th e deyelopment of new crops for agriculture, new methods ofsafeguarding health, new tools for industry, an d new wea.pons. A further imporhnt result is t.he tmining \yhich basic resellrch projects proyide for graduat.estudents in our lllli\'ersities. Th e n u m l ~ e r of tmined scientists graduating ea,chyear hlls short of t.he needs of our growing economy and. is still deClining. En largement of th e research program and the related fellowship program will helpcounteract this trend.President Eisenhower's budget for fiscal 1955 proposed an increaseof about 6 percent over the 1954 appropriation for salaries and expenses of the Office of Education-$3.1 million for fiscal 1955 ascompared with $2.9 million appropriated for fiscal 1954. Th e President suggested increases for consultative services with regard to theeducation of migratory workers, improved statistical services, and animproved publications program. A cu t from $486,000 to $426,000was recommend ed for salaries and expenses of the Division of Vocational Education.


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CHAPTER V. POLICY CONSIDERATIONSAt the time of the framing of the Constitution, education of theindividual was no t generally regarded as a responsibility of Government. In an y event, the Constitution did no t specifically assign theFederal Government responsibility for education; and it providedthat powers no t delegated to the Federal Government were reservedto the States. Therefore, public education, as it gradually developedduring the 19th century, came under State control .- From the earliest days of the Republic there have been some whohave insisted that proper interpretation of the welfare clause of theConstitution sanctions the appropriation of Federal funds to theStates for any activity in the field of education which can be shownto be in the interest of the national welfare. In recent veal'S thereha s been increasing contention that the "general welfare clause"assigned the Federal Government no t simply the right but actuallythe duty to promote education. This opinion, although it is heldby many persons, has no t thus far been sustained by the courts.From the beginning the Federal Government ha s engaged in two _kinds of educational activities, namely: (1) Operating it s own educational programs, such as training military and civilian personnel forthe national defense, which now includes large programs of instruction covering practically all subj ects; and (2) giving aid to the Statesand Territories or their political subdivisions for the support andadvancement of education.Both of these forms of Federal activity have been in general, continuous, although many of the programs have been of temporarynature. Both forms of activity have received the direct or indirectsanction of Supreme Court decision. Thus it can be said that theFederal Government has an established policy of engaging in thesetwo kinds of educational activity to the extent that they are in theinterests of the national defense and the general welfare. Th e longhistory of Federal activities pursuant to this general policy has beensummarized in previous congressional reports and documents.1The present purpose is no t to review Lhis history, bu t instead (1)to point ou t and briefly describe some of the constituent policies whichwere continued with or without basic modification by t},e 83d Congress, especially those relating to Federal aid to education in theStates and Territories, (2) to review actions which appear to representnew policies, and (3) to discuss some related policy matters.Action by the 83d Congress evidenced a general willingness to continue with some modifications, established policies and programs ofthe Federal Government in the educational field. In addition, somenew programs recommended by the President were pu t into effect.Action by the 83d Congress did no t evidence application of anyoverall or blanket policy regarding details of either what the Federal1 Federal E1ucational Activities and Educational Issues Before Congress, 82d Cong., 2d sess., H. Doc.No. 423, pp. 25-45. Federal Aid to School Construction, committee print of the Committee on Educationand Labor, April 1954, pp . 13-20. Federal Aid to States and Local School Districts for Elementary andSecondary Education, committee print of the Committee on Labor and Public Welfare, 1954, 13 pp.

32

ACTION BY CONGRESS AFFECTING EDUCATION AND EDUCATORS 33Government should or should no t do in operating it s own educationalprograms, or what it should or should no t do in the nature of givingaid to the States or localities for education. Congress has never enacted legislation establishing any comprehensive policy respectingthese matters. Some legislation has, however, specifically set forthFederal policy regarding certain educational problems. A notablerecent example is Public La w 815, 81st Congress, which recognized aresponsibility on the part of the Federal Government for the impactof Federal activities on school construction needs in certain localities.

A. POLICIES CONTINUED WITHOUT CHANGEAmong important educational programs for which the 83d Congressprovided a continuation of Federal assistance without basic statutorychange were the following:

Support of land-grant collegesEnactment of the 11:orri11 Act of 1862 initiated the Federal policyof promoting agricultural and industrial education at college level ineach State. Fo r this purpose the ac t authorized grants to each Stateof 30,000 acres of Federal land or its equivalent in scrip for each of it sSenators and Representatives in Congress. Subsequent legislation,including the Bankhead-Jones Act of 1935, authorized annual appropriations and appropriations contingent upon annual action by theCongress for the further endowment and support of these land-grantinstitutions. Th e 83d Congress appropriated the sums authorized forthis program.

Ai d to vocational education below college gradeTh e Congress has followed a policy of providi ng aid for this purposesince the passage of the Smith-Hughes Act of 1917. AdditionalFederal funds were authorized by legislation in H)29, 1934, 1936, and1946. The 8:3d Congress made appropriations authorized under thecurrently effective Smith-Hughes Act and the George-Barden Act of1946. Th e appropriation for 1955 was $5 million greater than thebudget request for this year.

Support of agricult-uml experiment stationsSince enactment of the Hatch Act of 1887 the Congress has pursueda policy of providing Federal funds to aid in the operation of agricultural experiment stations. These funct.ion chiefly as units of theland-grant colleges of agriculture and mechanic arts. Legislation in1906, 1925, H l ~ 1 5 , and 1946 authorized additional Federal funds forthis purpose. By appropriating the amount requested in the President's budget for 1954, and again for 1955, the 83d Congress continuedthe Federal poliey of supporting this activity in the field of edueatiopand research.Other established policies which the 83d Congress continued withoutbasic statutory change include those for the education of veterans,international educational exchanges, the education of Indians, and theoperation of Federal institutions of higher education, and Federallibraries and museums.

B. POLICIES MODIFIEDAmong policies and services affecting education which the 83dCongress continued with some important changes are the following:

a \ ; . l ' l U ~ \ ; 1:3 Y CONG


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34 ACTION BY CONGRESS AFFECTING EDUCATION AND EDUCATORSProvision for services of the United States Office of Education

Th e Office of Education was established by an act of Congress il l1867-for th e purpose of collecting such st.atistics and facts as shall show th e conditionan d progress of education in th e several States and Territories, an d of diffusingsuch information respecting th e organization and management of schools andschool systems, and methods of teaching, as shall aid th e people of th e UnitedStates in the establishment an d maintenance of efficient school systems, and otherwise promote th e cause of education throughout th e country.

Further legislation and Executive orders have expanded the functions of the Office of Education to embrace: (1) Th e administrationof funds appropriated as aids to education in the States, (2) theoperation of specified programs, and (3) the conduct of special studies.Th e 83d Congress approved and pu t into effect Reorganizati on PlanNo.1 of 1953. This plan raised the p o ~ t i o n of the Office of Educationin the Federal structure by establishing it as one of the principalconstituent agencies of the Department of Health, Education, andWelfare (formerly the Federal Security Agency). .An important statement of congressional policy respecting the Officeof Education appears in the House committee report on H. R. 9447,83d Congress, making appropriations to the Departments of Laborand of Health, Education, and Welfare, and other agencies. In reference to efforts on the part of the Secretary of :Health, Education, andWelfare to centralize the administration of the constituent agencif'.'lof that Department the report dated June 4, 1954, said:Th e committee is opposed to centralization simply fot its own sake. Thedividing line between program operations an d administrative operations is hardto define, an d is subject to v,ide shifts on th e basis of a r e v i ~ i o n of defimtions.Th e Congress ha s carefully guarded a degree of independ


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36 ACTION BY CONGRESS AFFECTING EDUCATION AND EDUCATORS2. Allowance of tax heBPtio: ffF c ~ ~ ; : : ~ t ~ f ~ d t ~ ~ : t i ~ ~ t s . ~ : ~ n x c t ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ t i ~ f ~ ~ c ~ a l s e ~ ~ ~ i t ~ toU teachers covered by State orlocal retirement systems.

D. OTHER POLICY CONSIDERATIONS

"-,

. 1 th f the Eisenhower administra- The 83d Oongress enacted over 60 laws affecting education or theParticularly durmg th de r y m? n f ~ poli"y of fieeal re"enchment educational pmfe"ion. The CongmM alao took aome act ion on abouttion t here was widel,pr'C ! d c u ~ : i ~ ~ ~ f auch ~ policy was baaed upon 40 of the approximately 640 other billa wholly or partly relating toat the Fedemlleve . ona; er rl n em haaia on State and education. Committe es reported out at Icast 30 of the" unenactedCHAPTER VI. SUMMARY

efforts to b a l D : n ? ~ the ~ e d r a l b ~

83rd Congress Action on Education 1955

Documents