xt737p8tf09n https://exploreuk.uky.edu/dips/xt737p8tf09n/data/mets.xml Kentucky. Department of Education. Kentucky Kentucky. Department of Education. 1957-12 bulletins  English Frankford, Ky. : Dept. of Education  This digital resource may be freely searched and displayed in accordance with U. S. copyright laws. Educational Bulletin (Frankfort, Ky.) Education -- Kentucky Educational Bulletin (Frankfort, Ky.), "Report of Superintendent of Public Instruction for the Biennium Ending June 30, 1957", vol. XXV, no. 12, December 1957 text 
volumes: illustrations 23-28 cm. call numbers 17-ED83 2 and L152 .B35. Educational Bulletin (Frankfort, Ky.), "Report of Superintendent of Public Instruction for the Biennium Ending June 30, 1957", vol. XXV, no. 12, December 1957 1957 1957-12 2022 true xt737p8tf09n section xt737p8tf09n 0 Commonwealth of Kentucky 0

EDUCATIONAL BuiLETIN

 

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For the Biennium ending June 30, 1957

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Published by
DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
ROBERT R. MARTIN

Superintendent of Public Instruction
Frankfort, Kentucky

 

 

 

 

 

—

ISSUED MONTHLY

Entered as secondmlass matter March 21, 1933, at the post office at
Frankfort, Kentucky, under the Act of August 24, 1912.

VOL. XXV DECEMBER 1957 NO. 12

 

—

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

BIENNIAL REPORT

i, of the

SUPERINTENDENT 0F
PUBLIC INSTRUCTION

of the

COMMONWEALTH OF KENTUCKY

FOR THE BIENNIUM ENDED
JUNE 30, 1957

 

Published by order of the
STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION

ROBERT R. MARTIN

Superintendent of Public Instruction
Chairman State Board of Education

 

—

  

 
 

 

  

 

ROBERT R. MARTIN
Superintendent of Public Instruction

 

  
 

 

 

 To the Governor and
the General Assembly

Commonwealth of Kentucky

Pursuant to the provisions of Sections 57.140 and 156.250 of the
Kentucky Revised Statutes, I am submitting the Biennial Report

of the Superintendent of Public Instruction for the biennium
ending June 80) 1957.

Part I of this report constitutes the Report of the Superintendent
of Public Instruction and his staff in the various Divisions of
the Bureaus in the Department of Education while Part II is made
up of statistical information and data relating to personnel,

finance, and school population for the state and the local school
districts.

I especially invite your attention to the narrative sections of
this report in which the major educational achievements of the
biennium are summarized and to that portion of the report which
discusses recommendations for the continued advancement of
public education in this Commonwealth.

Respectfully submitted,

ROBERT R. MARTIN,
Superintendent of Public Instruction

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

KENTUCKY STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION
ROBERT R. MARTIN, Superintendent of Public Instruction, Chairman

GUY BILLINGTON, Murray

WILLIAM C. EMBRY, 2564 Woodbourne
Avenue. Louisville

H. D. FITZPATRICK, JR., Prestonsburg

MRS. J. E. HERNANDEZ, 236 Clay
Avenue, Lexington

HENRY E. POGUE, JR., 82 Henry Court,
Fort Thomas

MRS. JOHN H. WALLS, 1631 West Jef-
ferson, Louisville

FRANK WILSON, Bardstown

JAMES L. SUBLETT, Secretary

STATE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
SUPERINTENDENT
MARTIN, ROBERT R., Superintendent of Public Instruction
SUBLETT, JAMES L., Assistant Superintendent of Public Instruction
MONAHAN, WILLIAM G., Administrative Assistant

YOUNG, GORDIE, Administrative Assistant

DIVISION OF DEPARTMENTAL FINANCE AND SERVICES

GARRISON, EARL E., Director

GREENE, ROBERT L., Assistant Director

 

BUREAU OF ADMINISTRATION AND FINANCE
GILBERT, TED C., Head

DIVISION OF FINANCE
ROSCHI, W. W., Director
RALL, C. E., Assistant Director

DRYDEN, RAY N., Accounting Supervisor, Mt. Olivet
HOOKS, N. T., Accounting Supervisor, Hopkinsville
ALSIP, JOSEPH M., Accounting Supervisor, Lexington
SWAIN, MARSHALL, Accounting Supervisor, Vine Grove
TYLER. LEE, Accounting Supervisor, Beattyville
COLVIN, JAMES W., Accounting Supervisor, Lexington
BATES, CLARENCE, Accounting Supervisor, Monticello

DIVISION OF BUILDINGS AND GROUNDS

SMITH, ROY G., Director

ATKINS, EUGENE, Assistant Director

THURMAN, PAUL W., Engineer
MASON, GEORGE W., Engineer

DIVISION OF RECORDS AND REPORTS

POWELL, J. C., Director

WEAVER, I. JAY, Administrative Assistant

DIVISION OF PUPIL TRANSPORTATION

VICKERS, JOHN L., Director

DIVISION OF SCHOOL LUNCH
BEVINS, C. E., Director

BOTTS, ANNIE MARY, Supervisor

LEWIS, JANE, Supervisor
MOORES, LAURA, Supervisor

COLLIER, ANNA M., Supervisor
ARNETT, GEORGIA M., Supervisor

LIGON, BERNICE ELEANOR, Supervisor

DIVISION OF FREE TEXTBOOKS
TRIPLETT, ISHMAEL, Director

DIVISION OF PROPERTY UTILIZATION

WILLIAMS, J. B.. Director

THOMPSON, T. 0., Assistant Director

ELLIS, ROY, Surplus Property Supervisor

FOLEY, WOODROW, Surplus Property Supervisor
GREENWELL, DONALD R., Surplus Property Supervisor
JAMES DURHAM, Surplus Property Supervisor

DAVIS, SARA H., Administrative Assistant

  

BUREAU OF INSTRUCTION
BALE, DON C., Head ‘1

DIVISION OF INSTRUCTIONAL SERVICES ‘ ’
ourt, ELSWICK, DONALD E., Director ‘ ‘
WALTON, MOSS, Supervisor Secondary Education ‘i ii
TAYLOR, SAM, Supervisor Secondary Education “ 1‘
Jef— WILDER, O. B., Supervisor Elementary Education 5 ‘
TAYLOR, CLAUDE, Supervisor Elementary Education ‘
GENTRY, RICHARD LEE, Supervisor Health, Physical Education and Safety ‘,,
CHAPMAN, MRS. VIRGINIA RUTH, Supervisor Attendance and Pupil Personnel
BAILEY, NELLA, Supervisor, Libraries
ADAMS, EARL, Supervisor, Elementary Education . ‘
McQUEEN, WILLIAM, Supervisor, Music Education "
WHALIN, E. B., Administrative Assistant

 

 

 

DIVISION OF TEACHER TRAINING AND CERTIFICATION j 3
COMBS, LOUISE, Director
SIMANDLE, SIDNEY RAY, Assistant Director
SANDERS, WILLIAM C., Supervisor of Certification
MARSHALL, MARY, Consultant, In-Service Teacher Education “"
VITTETOW, FRANK, Consultant, III—Service Teacher Education
BARNARD, ETHEL M., Consultant, In-Service Teacher Education
BROWN, JAMES, Consultant, In—Service Teacher Education
RUSSELL, ADDLY EUGENE, Consultant, In-Service Teacher Education
O’DONNELL, LOUISE, Administrative Assistant
JOHNSON, VIVIAN, Transcript Analyst

 

 

 

 

DIVISION OF EDUCATION FOR HANDICAPPED CHILDREN
EDWARDS, STELLA A., Director
PERRY, DORIS A., Supervisor
WELLER, GEORGE M., Supervisor

, Supervisor

 

BUREAU OF VOCATIONAL EDUCATION
PATTON, JAMES L., Head
ESHAM, C. E, Coordinator, Rural Development Program

DIVISION OF AGRICULTURAL EDUCATION

HILTON, E. P., Director
BOTTO, M. M., Assistant Director
KELLEY, ROBERT L, Supervisor, Munfordville
BAYLESS, DUARD E., Supervisor, Morehead
CHERRY, WILLIAM, Supervisor, Hopkinsville

v RAMSEY, JAMES L., Supervisor, Murray
THRELKELD, J. ERNEST, Supervisor, Simpsonville
MADDOX, JAMES, State Supervisor, Hardinsburg
MONTGOMERY, W. C., State Supervisor
NEEL, CHARLES 0., JR., State Supervisor
BINGHAM, WILLIAM R., Supervisor

 

 

DIVISION OF TRADE AND INDUSTRIAL EDUCATION
MARTIN, FRED, Director
GROTE, CHARLES NELSON, Assistant Director
BEAM, JULIA, Supervisor, Practical Nurse Training
ROBINSON, ORIN, Supervisor, Industrial Arts

DIVISION OF HOME ECONOMICS EDUCATION
WILLIAMSON, MARY LOIS, Director ‘
VAUGHN, MARY BELLE, Assistant Director i ‘3
COLLINS, MAURINE, Supervisor ; '
BLACK, JANE, Supervisor 1 ‘
. MELTON, JANE, State Supervisor 3
PORTER, FANNIE, State Supervisor ‘
SMITH, DOROTHA, Supervisor

DIVISION OF EDUCATION FOR VETERANS
SALLING, ROBERT W., Director
BROGAN, EDWARD F., Supervisor, c/O North Ky. Voc. School, Covington

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

McGOWN, JAMES R., Supervisor, c/o Western Trade School, Bowling Green
NEIKIRK, LYLE M., Supervisor, c/o Somerset Vocational School, Somerset
SLOANE, ROBERT W., Supervisor c/o Hazard Area Vocational School, Hazard

DIVISION OF GUIDANCE SERVICES
PHIPPS, CURTIS, Director
CAMPBELL, KEARNEY, Assistant Director

BUREAU OF REHABILITATION SERVICES
BEN F. COFFMAN, Head

DIVISION OF SPECIAL SERVICES
W. HICKMAN BALDREE, Director

DIVISION OF ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES
WENDELL TAYLOR, Director

DIVISION OF REHABILITATION SERVICES
JOHN S. REED, Director
LINDSEY E. ALLEN, Rehabilitation Services Supervisor
R. FRED FLEGE, Rehabilitation Services Supervisor
T. V. CRANMER, Supervisor Services for the Blind
THOMAS P. LEONARD, Medical Consultant
D. D. DUGAN, Counselor, Ashland
ESTHER K. TAYLOR, Counselor, Ashland
BESSIE R. BASKETT, Counselor, Bowling Green
ROBERT E. LAWRENCE, Counselor. Covington
JOHN M. BURKHART, Counselor, Harlan
WILLIAM J. COX, Counselor, Harlan
RUTH B. FORMAN, Counselor, Lexington
FRED L. GISSONI, Placement Counselor, Lexington
LEON MEENACH, Counselor, Lexington
ARCHIE K. STOTT, Counselor, Lexington
HAYWARD BROWN, Counselor, Louisville
DOROTHY PATTON, Counselor, Louisville
J. CARROLL SPANYER, Counselor, Louisville
JOHN B. VOOR, Placement Counselor, Louisville
EUGENIA LINTON, Supervisor Business Enterprises Program, Louisville
CHARLES E. COX, Supervisor Kentucky Industries for the Blind, Louisville
ROBERT E. TRAYLOR, Counselor, Madisonville
IRVIN K. WHITE, Counselor, Owensboro
WILL YOUNG, Counselor, Paducah
BASIL T. MULLINS, Counselor, Paintsville
FLENOR M. HEATH, Counselor, Somerset

DIVISION OF DISABILITY DETERMINATION
HOWARD P. JONES, Director
HENRY CLAY GARDENHIRE, Disability Detenniner
CLIFTON A. RICE, Disability Determiner
THOMAS I. CONNOR, JR., Disability Counselor
LYLE E. WHITE. Disability Counselor
DAVID L. STROHMEIER, Disability Counselor
JOHN B. CLAY, Medical Consultant
JAMES T. RAMSEY, Medical Consultant

CLERICAL ASSISTANTS (STATE OFFICE)

Anglin, Martha Clarke, Marie Gorman, Polly
Baker, Virgilene Clasby, Alice Graybeal, Barbara
Bell, Patsy Jean Clifton, Frances Grimes, Doris
Blakeman, Sue Carol Conway, Irene Green, Louise
Brawner, Edith Corbin, Wanda Greenwell, Clara Ann
Burke, Joan Crawford, Cora Grubbs, Elizabeth
Campbell, Mary Crosswhite, Bobby Hahn, Arlene
Campbell, Willena Davis, Sarah L. Hawkins, Vena
Catlett, Ellis Mae DeMoss, Clara Henry, Edna
Caudill, Helen Dennis, Shirley Hodgkin, Mildred
Cecconi, Jo Wanda Estill, Carolyn Hollins, Mary L0“
Church, Helen Figg, Leoma Johnson, Florence

Clark, Judy Goins, Eloise Jones, Barbara

 

 Jones, Emily Norman, Dorothy Shaw, Marie

Jones, Jessie O’Donoghue, Ceil Slucher, Alma Jean
Kagin, Elizabeth Owens, Lula Belle Spaulding, Roberta
Kagin, Emily Parker, George Ella Sims, Myrtle
Kershaw, Clara Parker, Pettit Smither, Ann M.
Lauthner. Letty Parker, Shirley Strassner, Josephine
Lester, Norma Jean Parrish, Mary C. Stucker, Emma H.
Lippert, Wanda Peden, Lorena Thomas, Tacie
Logan, Marie Penn, Theresa Thompson, Dorothy
McDaniel, Ruth Phillips, June Tomlinson, Rose
Mason, Ruth Bedding, Mae Wade, Elandor
Mefford, Dorothy Rodgers, Elois Walters, Grace
Moss, Helen Rush, Anne Wilson, Gladys
MISCELLANEOUS

Baxter, Junious, Storekeeper
Bradshaw, Lucian, Messenger
Braswell, James, Guard

Cauble, William, Storekeeper

Clark, Hillis, Storekeeper

Craig, Robert, Truck Driver

Hall, William, Storekeeper

Haydon, Allen, Truck Driver
Howard, Edward B., Truck Driver
Hulker, Roy, Dup. Equipment Operator
Johnstone, Ben, Storekeeper
McDaniel, William, Storekeeper
Onan, Ross, Storekeeper

Quire, Stanley, Storekeeper

Rodgers, Paul. Storekeeper
Shuttleworth, Harold, Storekeeper
Shy, Henry, Dup. Equipment Operator
Smith, Douglas, Guard

Thompson, Carlos, Storekeeper
Wainscott, Milton, Storekeeper
Warfield, Clarence, Automotive Mechanic

MEMBERS OF THE STATE TEXTBOOK COMMISSION
MRS. HAZEL R. MEARS, Horse Cave, Chairman
MRS. GEORGIA B. WEAR, Murray, Vice-Chairman
ROBERT R. MARTIN, Secretary
J. DORLAND COATES, Richmond
JAMES L. COBB, Covington
MRS. MAZIE B. CROLEY, Frankfort
MITCHELL DAVIS, Glasgow
JOE C. HOWARD, Louisville
MRS. HAZEL KASH, Pineville

TEACHERS’ RETIREMENT SYSTEM OF THE STATE OF KENTUCKY
FRANKFORT
Board of Trustees
L. C. CURRY, Chairman, Bowling Green
WILLIAM S. MILBURN, Vice Chairman, Louisville
MRS. EDNA EARLE LINDLE, Henderson
JOHN FRED WILLIAMS, Ashland
HON. ROBERT R. MARTIN, Superintendent of Public Instruction, Frankfort
HON. JO M. FERGUSON, Attorney General, Frankfort
HON. HENRY H. CARTER, State Treasurer, Frankfort

VERA BEC . . PERSONNEL
N 0 K1 KHAM, Acting Executive Secretary

. . MBLER, Consultant

WILLIAM RAY HOLT, Accountant

RUE L. BEALE, Administrative Assistant

Jean Aspley

Polly C Joyce Hutcherson Jean L. Pulliam

13m T 25;? Edna Inman Wilma L. Shryock

Anna M flders Susan Leathers Edna H. Stevens

Nan ae “many Alean McDonald Martha 0. Sudduth
cy G' Cosby Helen N. Meade Doris W. Ward

Wilma! Gaines

Amanda Owens Doris L. Wood

 

 

 

 

  

 

STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION

 

 

 

SUPERINTENDENT OF PUBLIC INSTRUCTION, ROBERT R. MARTIN

 

 

 

 

 

ASS’T. SUP’T. PUBLIC INSTIUCTION, JAMES L. SUBLETT

 

 

 

 

 

Kentucky School for Div. of Departmental

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

the Blind Finance and Services
L. P. Howser Earl E. Garrison
Superintendent Director
Bureau of Bureau of Bureau of Bureau of
Administration & Finance Instruction Vocational Education Rehabilitation Services
Ted C. Gilbert, Head Don C. Bale, Head James Patton, Head Ben F. Coffman. Head

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

Rehabilitation Services
Ben F. Coffman. Head

Head

Vocational Education
James Patton,

Instruction
Don C. Bale, Head

\

Head

Administration & Finance
Ted C. Gilbert,

\

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Organization of the Department of Education
Letter of Transmittal

PART I
SECTION I.
Chapter 1.
The Superintendent Discusses the Status of Education
in Kentucky ........................................................................................ 761
Chapter 2.

Leadership and Consultative Services —
The Department of Education ........................................................ 768

SECTION II.

 

 

 

Chapter 1.

Office of the Assistant Superintendent of Public Instruction ........ 776

Division of Departmental Finance .......................................................... 776

The Kentucky School for the Blind ...................................................... 776

Administrative Assistant to the Superintendent of
Public Instruction ................................................................................ 777

The Teacher Retirement System ............................................................ 777

Chapter 2.

The Bureau of Administration and Finance ...................................... 781
Division of Buildings and Grounds ................................................ 781
Division of Finance ............................................................................ 784
Division of Free Textbooks ....................................... 785
Division of Property Utilization .................................................... 788
DiVision of Transportation .............................................................. 790
Division of Records and Reports .................................. 792
DiVision of School Lunch ................................................................ 793

Chapter 3.

The Bureau of Instruction ________________________________________________________________________ 796
DiViSion of Instructional Services ................................................ 796
DiViSion of Education for Exceptional Children ...................... 811
DiViSion of Teacher Education and Certification .................... 815

Chapter 4,

The Bureau of Vocational Education .................................................... 824‘
DiViSion of Agricultural Education .................................. .. 833
DiViSiOfl Of Home Economics Education ...................................... 836
DiViSiOn of Guidance Services ...................................................... 840
Division of Trades, Industrial and Distributive Education 842
DiViSion of Education for Veterans ............................................ 849

Chapter 5.

The Bureau of Rehabilitation ................................................................ 850

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

PART II

Statistical Tables

Division of Departmental Finance ........................................................ 858
Division of Records and Reports

Bureau of Administration and Finance ........................................ 871
Division of Finance, Bureau of Administration and Finance ........ 886

 

 

  

 

REPORT OF THE
SUPERINTENDENT OF PUBLIC INSTRUCTION

  
 

 

 

 SECTION I.
CHAPTER 1.

THE SUPERINTENDENT DISCUSSES THE STATUS OF
EDUCATION IN KENTUCKY

In considering the conditions and prospects of Kentucky’s system
of public schools, there can be found elsewhere in this report detailed
accounts of the progress of the various divisions within the organization
of the State Department of Education.

It is my purpose here to bring the attention of the reader to those
achievements and accomplishments of major significance in a program
designed to elevate the status of Kentucky’s common school system.

Any overall analysis of the educational program in Kentucky during
the last biennium must consider two fundamental precepts:

1. That the citizens of Kentucky have exhibited an awakening
of interest in the conduct of the public schools.

2. That the Governor and the General Assembly have responded to
the needs of education fairly and conscientiously to the end that
this Commonwealth can display a sincere pride in school progress.

Together, these two precepts have ushered in a new dimension of
education consciousness on the part of both professional educators and
the public. I have said before and I reiterate that more has been done
in the past two years to elevate Kentucky’s public school system than

in any comparable period since the founding of the common schools
in 1837.

MAJOR ACHIEVEMENTS

With an amended Constitution which permitted the formulation of
a more realistic method of apportioning the distribution of the school
fund to local school districts, and the enactment of the Foundation Pro-
gram Law which described the method for making that distribution,
the way was opened for real progress.

FULL FINANCING OF THE FOUNDATION PROGRAM LAW

Obviously a method for distributing funds more equitably to local
SChool districts was a great step toward the new era in advancing edu-
C3t10n in Kentucky. However, providing the method is one matter
Whfle providing the means is certainly another.

Therefore, the most outstanding contribution to the construction
9f a new and progressive program for the public schools was the full
Implementation and financing of the Foundation Program Law.

The 1956 General Assembly on recommendation of Governor A. B.
Chandler and with his active support, appropriated $54,785,500 to the
SChool fund for the 1956—57 school year. This was an increase of $20,000,000
SYSYFthe previous year and was substantially sufficient to fully finance
nanci:1undatlon Program Law. Furthermore, this amount provided fi-
stateiniasfsurance that no school district would receive less than $80 1n
di t . 1 or each chlld lnlaverage dally attendance and that no school

5 r1<3t'would receive less 1n state-aid than the amount it received in its
per Caplta allotment the previous year.

761

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

The effects of a fully financed Foundation Program in improving
the quality of education available to Kentucky’s youth have clearly
emerged in these two years. Some of these can be briefly listed as
follows:

1. Teachers’ salaries have been increased and as a result, a signifi-
cantly larger percentage of graduating teachers are remaining in
Kentucky to teach.

2. More adequate school centers are being provided. There are
750 fewer one, two, and three teacher schools than in the previous
biennium.

3. Every child in Kentucky is now guaranteed a minimum nine-
month school term. In 1954—55, twelve county school districts had
terms of less than nine months.

4. Under the Capital Outlay Allotment, more classrooms have
been provided to relieve over—crowding and increased enrollments.

5. The programs and curricula of our schools have been greatly
strengthened through:
A. Additional units in art, music, industrial arts, physical edu-
cation and library services.
B. Relieving principals of teaching loads in order that they may
devote more time to supervision and administration.
C. Provision for instructional supervisors in nearly all school
districts aimed toward improving the quality of instruction
offered in the public schools.

TEACHER RETIREMENT ACT

In addition to the full financing of the Foundation Program, the
1956 General Assembly also provided for the full implementation and
financing of the Kentucky Teacher Retirement System. As a I‘ESUI1t
of this action, teachers in Kentucky have a retirement program that
offers them freedom from insecurity and other benefits for the genera1
welfare of the teaching corps.

The most progressive program of school legislation was enacted by
the 1956 General Assembly since the Educational Legislature of 1908.
Some of this legislation included more adequate financial support for
the University of Kentucky and the State colleges; increased appI‘OPrl'
ations to the Department of Education, provision and authorization £01”
a medical school at the University of Kentucky and a strengthened
status for Kentucky School Building Revenue Bonds.

OTHER IMPROVEMENTS

With the closing of the biennium 1955—57, education in the Common-
wealth of Kentucky had crossed the threshold of a new day -— a day
ever brighter with prospects for the continued expansion of the PUth
school program.

Though certainly the full financing of both the Foundation Program
and the Teacher Retirement System were the most outstanding accom-
plishments of this period, they were by no means the only 01193

THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION

The Department of Education has been completely reorganized into
sections designed to secure economy and efficiency. Though the De—

762

 

  

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partment is discussed in some detail in the following portion of this
report, I think it is significant to point out that additional services have
been made available in Guidance, Administrative & Supervisory Serv—
ices and Public Relations, and Education for Handicapped Children.

An expanded program of In—service teacher training has been
initiated during the biennium and in cooperation with State institutions
for higher learning, these services have resulted in pre—school planning
conferences in more than one hundred school systems.

HIGHER EDUCATION

Recognizing that the same conditions which for the past decade
have exerted grave responsibilities and pressures on the public ele-
mentary and secondary schools are beginning to exert similar pressure
on our colleges and university, planning and attention have been given
to meeting problems on the college level in the light of past experiences.

Thus, the Council on Public Higher Education in Kentucky has
been provided with a full time staff to enable it to be of more service.

Cooperation between the state colleges and the University of Ken-
tucky has increased tremendously and salaries for instructional personnel
have increased during the biennium.

To aid the various colleges in Kentucky to meet their increasing
needs, an evaluation program was initiated. As of June 30, 1957, twenty-
five Kentucky colleges had been evaluated. These evaluations help
colleges to better prepare for the future by focusing attention to their
strengths and weaknesses.

GOVERNOR’S CONFERENCE

The Governor’s first Annual Conference on Education was held in
October, 1956, devoted to a discussion of current problems facing edu—
cation in Kentucky. Of the 300 delegates to this conference, a two—thirds
majority were lay people, while only one—third were from the ranks
0f professional education.

Authorized by an act of the legislature and financed by special
appropriation, the conference will be held yearly in the Fall. The 1957
Conference scheduled for late September will have as its theme, “Edu—
cation Beyond the High School.”

OTHER CONFERENCES

In addition to the Governor’s Annual Conference on. Education, there
have been a series of other highly significant conferences on education
held during the biennium. These conferences were sponsored by the
Department of Education in cooperation with other educational agencies
in the State.

. A Conference devoted to the improvement of the quality of instruc-
thn was held in August 1956, and is to continue annually. This first
COHterence served to launch a broad promotional and practical program
for 1mDroving all phases of the public schools and this has been labelled,
The Advancing Education in Kentucky Program.”

A conference held in December 1.956, in cooperation with the Ken—
respgnAZS'O'Ci-ation of School Administrators considered legal aspects and
With t: ilities of school administrators. Another cooperative conference
ar is organization is planned for 1957, with emphaSis on another

ea of administrative responsibility.

tuck

763

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

FOR WHICH OF' THESE IS THE COST GREATER
764

 

 

 
 

  

 

 

CONSOLIDATION AND CONSTRUCTION

The program of consolidation of small, inefficient schools into larger
school centers is certainly not new to the philosophy of Kentucky edu—
cation. Consolidation was recognized as an important means for providing
better educational opportunities for Kentucky boys and girls as early
as 1900. The first real consolidated schools were effected in Mason
County around 1910 and the program has progressed since that time.

As of June 30, 1957, the number of school districts in Kentucky
has decreased from 223 in 1954-55 to 216. Merger of small independent
school districts with the county system in which they existed has ac—
counted for this decrease. The desirability of central schools, large
enough to accommodate many students and thereby capable of providing
a broader and more satisfying curriculum has been proved again and
again. The large schools are not only more efficient academically, but
it has been demonstrated that they are more economical than several
smaller schools in various parts of the school district.

By means of the Capital Outlay provision in the Foundation Pro-
gram Law, local school districts have contracted for a total of 37 million
dollars in new classrooms during the biennium 1955—57. This represents
a tremendous effort on the part of local school dsitricts to meet their
construction needs, however, it does little more than make a “dent”
in the overall need for new and additional classrooms in Kentucky.

RECOMMENDATIONS FOR THE CONTINUED ADVANCEMENT
OF EDUCATION IN KENTUCKY

With the full implementation of Kentucky’s new and dynamic edu-
cational program during the biennium, I am sure all Kentuckians are
aware of a growing prestige for their schools. No longer do we need
feel a sense of educational inadequacy as in a former time. We have
every reason to feel a new sense of pride in the quality of education
available to our children.

But as with every constructive endeavor of men there is that con-
Stent and ever—present danger that what we have begun to build
mlght cease through the false impression that it is good enough. If our
program is allowed to stall now, the result would be disastrous to the
entire progress of Kentucky. I can think of no greater lack of wisdom
than this.

What has been started, must continue.

MAJOR PROBLEMS

In considering the major problems with which we are yet faced,
three categories are at once apparent:

1. The need for additional classrooms.

2. The critical shortage of qualified teachers.

3. Inadequate appropriations for free textbooks.

THE CLASSROOM PROBLEM

.Although local school districts have exerted great efforts to meet
then“ classroom needs, they have reached the limit of their financial
a'blllty — and yet there remains this nightmare of increasing enrollments,
Out—moded, insanitary, and totally unsatisfactory classroom environ—
ments and overcrowding.

Kentucky needs now 7,820 new classrooms to replace unsafe, unsani-
tary, and outmoded facilities; 1,600 additional classrooms to house the

765

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

overflow from crowded classrooms; and, 1,000 additional classrooms
over the next five years to house enrollment increases.

This represents a total need for 10,220 classrooms and is not a
random estimate nor an educated guess. This figure is based on actual
visitation by staff members of the Department of Education during the
second phase of the SCHOOL FACILITIES SURVEY authorized by
Public Law 815 and corrected as of July 1, 1956.

For too many years, we have seen the Federal Aid proposal tossed
from one political pile to the other and during each Congress, finally
tossed into the heap of dead legislation. The children of Kentucky
cannot wait — they must have classrooms.

Upon advice from a committee appointed to give its close and com—
petent attention to the feasibility of a state-wide bond issue for school
house construction, I am prepared to make precise and specific recom-
mendations to the General Assembly for such a state-wide bond issue
for schoolhouse construction and I will lay before that body all necessary
factual data to substantiate and qualify a request for that bond issue.

THE SHORTAGE OF TEACHERS

Better salary levels and working conditions resulting from the
Foundation Program have done much to hold teaching personnel in
Kentucky. But the critical shortage of teachers still exists and as en-
rollments continue to climb, there is no relief in sight under existing
conditions.

The Kentucky White House Conference recommended that Ken-
tucky establish a system of state—wide scholarships to young men and
women for teaching. I strongly endorse this recommendation. It is a
sound and reasonable proposal and properly executed, could do much
toward alleviating the need.

Presently, there are 35 other states with such programs. Such a
scholarship should be granted on the condition that accepted candidates
be required to teach for a specified period within the State upon
graduation. Such scholarships should be awarded on the basis of need
and ability.

Though teachers’ salaries have been substantially increased, they are
yet decidedly below the national average of $4,300. Elevating the state
average is an important prerequisite to solving the teacher shortage in
this Commonwealth.

FREE TEXTBOOK APPROPRIATION

Under Kentucky law, the State furnishes free textbOOks to elementary
school pupils. Since the first appropriation of $500,000 in 1934 for the
purchase of free textbooks, the prices of books have increased in who,
more rapidly than subsequent appropriations for their purchase-

For the biennium ended June 30, 1957, the total appropriation for
textbooks was $2,068,000. Pupil enrollment in 1955—56 was 483,071, thus,
the average amount of money available to each pupil for a set 0f
textbooks was $2.00 annually after shipping and handling. At present
prices, a set of textbooks costs approximately $16.00 per pupil. .

With present appropriations, it would require eight years to pTOVlde
each pupil with a complete set of books.

The average number of books purchased annually has been around
700,000 or not quite 11/; books per pupil. For a number of years only 70
to 80 per cent of the needed books have been purchased. AS a result

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on April 1, 1957, the schools were short 700,000 copies of books for the
required subjects. Consequently, for the 1957—58 school year 1,500,000
copies of books for the required subjects are needed.

The average price per book is $1.60. At this price 1,500,000 books will
cost the sum of $2,400,000.00. Another $500,000.00 is needed for the
purchase of books for the optional subjects.

By reducing the optional subjects to equivalent of two subjects
per grade, after the 1958—59 school year, the estimated cost of textbooks
for grades one through eight is as follows:

1958-1959 $2,200,000.00
1959—1960 2,120,000.00
1960-1961 2,332,000.00
1961—1962 2,565,000.00
1962—1963 2,821,000.00
1963—1964 3,103,000.00

For the 1958—1959 school year, $2,200,000.00 is needed to take care
of the book shortage that now exists in the public schools.

Should the General Assembly of Kentucky extend the free textbook
program through the high school grades, another $1,800,000.00 would
be needed to purchase all the high school books. On the other hand, if
the books were introduced one grade each year, an annual appropriation

of $450,000.00 would finance the high school te