Reorganized Secondary Schools for Negroes in Kentucky

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the form of organization of secondary schools for Negroes in Kentucky. The effort will be made to base this appraisal primarily upon criteria for an effective school. Some consideration also will be given to the comparative merits of and conventionally-organized secondary schools for Negroes in Kentucky. The term reorganized secondary as used in this study implies a unit in the secondary division of a school system which has made a downward extension of its secondary-school grades to include what were originally the seventh and eighth grades of the elementary school. This definition of the school is supported by the National Survey of Secondary Education. The secondary division of the school comprises either a single unit of six grades or two units of a varying number of grades. Five major features have been proposed for an examination of the organization of the secondary school, whether or conventionally-organized. These features, in order of their treatment, are: (1) External control; (2) Internal administration and supervision; (3) Teaching staff; (4) Program of studies; and (5) Housing and equipment. It is recognized that the selection of these major features of organization is an arbitrary one. However, the selection has been guided by the desire to eliminate any duplication of function under the various headings. From an examination of the many claims advanced for the functions of the school and the progressive trends in secondary education, four criteria for the evaluation of the secondary school have been formulated. These criteria are: 1. Is there a provision for better articulation between the elementary and secondary levels of education? 2. Are more adequate provisions made for individual differences in the capacities, interests, and needs of the pupil? 3. Is there provision for more adequate socialization? 4. Are there greater facilities and economy in administration?