Community organization materials, state publications, 1913-1950 and n.d.

ArchivalResource

Alabama. Dept. of Education (1919- ). Community organization materials, state publications, 1913-1950 and n.d.

Community organization materials, state publications, 1913-1950 and n.d.

http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/122538109

This series relates to community organization in support of education. The Ala. Federation of Women's Clubs, noting the unsightly, uncomfortable, undersupplied, and unsanitary condition of public schools, created the Committee on School Improvement Associations in 1904. The Committee worked with the Ala. Education Committee, under the auspices of the Dept., and the Southern Education Board to organize local associations for the purpose of encouraging interest in education. According to the History of Education in Alabama, Superintendent William F. Feagin, elected in 1913, encouraged improvement associations throughout the state. Their activities revolved around the observance of four special days, when members of the community attended special meetings to discuss school problems. (Information about special days may be found in publications of the series "Instructional materials: special days.") The Superintendent reasoned that participating citizens would become better informed and vote for educational reforms. His plan was successful. The series contains circulars, public information pamphlets, manuals, bulletins, handbooks, and program leaflets by the Division of School and Community Betterment on various aspects of improving school and community relations. Included are histories, constitutions, and by-laws, and tables of organization of the association, information on how to organize, rules of order, materials for programs and activities, a pamphlet by Feagin explaining the need for community organization in rural areas and announcing a survey of three counties (publication in "Administrative histories,..." series), photoprints, particularly two of a toothbrush drill at Cloverdale School (Montgomery), information on sanitation and construction of privies, heating, lighting, water fountains, insects, decorating, school grounds, arranging playgrounds, health practices, programs for meetings, and the use of community resources. Present also are yearbooks of the Ala. Branch of the National Congress of Parents and Teachers, 1927-1929, and other material for parent-teacher associations. The series documents efforts of the Dept. and associations toward improving education by involving the community.

0.5 cubic ft.

Alabama Department of Archives and History