A University's Program of Research in Elementary Education

Abstract

In considering the general topic for this session, Practical Applications of the Science of Education, it occurred to me that an account of the most significant recent expansion of the program of work at the School of Education at the University of Michigan might be used to illustrate an effort to provide for the further application of the science of education. In presenting this account, I realize that it is concerned with a field in which very notable contributions of a pioneer character have already been made by the Department of Education of the University of Chicago and a field in which it is anticipated many more contributions will be made by the staff housed in this splendid Graduate Education Building. It is hoped that the account of our plans at the University of Michigan may possess interest as an example of the efforts made by a state university to meet in a fuller measure its responsibilities to the largest unit of public instruction-the field of elementary education. All will admit that present achievements in the scientific study of education have fallen far short of present-day needs. We believe, however, that the hope of further progress in our schools lies chiefly in careful studies which in their ideals approximate scientific research. The thoughtful school man believes that the conditions which make for sound development physically, mentally, and morally on the part of the school child lend themselves to exacting studies. Indeed, we now have much evidence that the small sums of money which have so far been spent in educational research are yielding useful outcomes. Even those most critical of results to date will ad-