SR_DPI_DNE_Special_Subject_File_B1F15_Equalization_Education_Opportunities_027

-15-
38 outstanding county and city superintendents of schools, 38 scholarly Negro teachers, principals, college personnel, and 32 numbers of the combined staffs of the State Department of Public Instruction and the State Board of Education. The seven study groups proceeded with their tasks promptly and with enthusiasm. Several joint meetings of these groups were held in Raleigh. On November 2, 1944 a final meeting was held when completed reports and recomendations were presented. Each of the study committees included representatives of both races. Their work, therefore, was both educational and interracial.
The final reports and recommendations were formally presented to the Governor and the State Board of Education December 14, 1944. In the report of the Committee on Negro Education on this study to their colleagues of the State Board of Education are the following forthright statements of fact indicating need;
*1. Reorganization and Consolidation of Schools. In the 100 county administrative units in the State there are 1, 693 Negro schools with a total enrollment of 187, 458 pupils. Only 231 of these schools employ more than four teachers. Of the 162,000 pupils enrolled in the elementary grades, more than 125,000 are in schools having fewer than seven teachers. There are 1,357 chldren enrolled in one and two teacher high schools.
It is indicated from the study that larger schools with modern school plant facilities and with a teacher per grade are superior in every way to the small schools; in no instance were accomplishments and achievements of the children in the small county schools adjudged to the equal to those of the children in the larger schools. The progress already made in consolidation has therefore proved the wisdom of consolidating schools and providing transportation. The 1,693 Negro schools now being operated in the State can be reduced to 471. with only 188 having fewer than eight teachers because of geographical or other physical conditions. It is estimated that a program envisaging the completion of consolidations to this extent will cost approximately $15,000,000, plus an additional $1,600,000 for transportation equipment."