1941: Adult Education

For the second year adult education activities in the United States were closely related to the defense effort of the nation. With little falling off in the regular aspects of their work, adult education centers throughout the country took a more active role in education for the national emergency. During the year, reading and discussion about defense also increased strongly among adults, while there were special developments affecting men in the armed forces and defense workers.

Perhaps not since the first American Revolution have more books, pamphlets, and study guides been offered to adults on questions of national polity. Both new and established public agencies, voluntary and governmental, issued informative materials for practical use. A vast amount of propaganda material swelled the volume of publications. Men and women throughout the country availed themselves of these special resources for study and discussion.

As defense production gathered volume, training programs for workers, some already under way in 1940, grew in number and size. These included the program utilizing the shop facilities of public schools, a training program in industry itself, and others for the training of engineers, agricultural workers, and NYA and CCC enrollees.

With the increase in the armed forces of the United States came also the beginnings of an educational program for enlisted men. This program included the establishments of libraries at camps and centers, the enlargement of free or low-cost opportunities for correspondence study, and the planning for further offerings by the Joint Army and Navy Committee for Morale and Recreation, headed by Brigadier General Frederick H. Osborn.

The Emergency Program of the American Association for Adult Education, launched late in 1940, was vigorously carried forward through the greater part of the year. This program included the holding of thirteen regional conferences designed to relate adult education to defense, and the publication of material for adult groups, particularly Defense Papers, a monthly study-aid magazine for adult groups; and Defense Digests, a pamphlet series.

Adult education in general will be affected by changes in the character of the American Association for Adult Education. Effective Sept. 30, 1941, the Carnegie Corporation of New York ceased the contributions to the Association which have been the latter's chief source of support in the past. However, at the same time the Institute of Adult Education, supported by the Corporation, began its work at Teachers College, Columbia University, under the director of the Association. The Institute will operate for a ten-year period, with funds of $350,000. The American Association for Adult Education will continue as a voluntary organization, while the Institute, in close cooperation with it, will continue certain aspects of the Association's former work, particularly leader-training and the preparation of study materials for popular use. See also EDUCATION.