Statement by United States Commissioner of Education Earl James McGrath

STATEMENT * American cities spent less per school child last year than for either of the two preceeding years, in terms of purchasing power, although the national income after taxes rose $55 per person, it was reported recently. Earl James McGrath, United States Commissioner of Education, termed the curtailment in education a shooking condition. He said the most effective education ossible must be provided in view of the crucial years ahead. "We cannot afford a further reduction in educational standards in our public schools, " he declared. Actual educational investment in each school boy and girl last year dropped $6 in terms of purchasing power, as shown in the Consumers Price Index, 1950-51 base, he said. The drop was shown in a study by the Office of Ed cation of the Federal Security Agency, covering public school systems in 259 cities, ranging in population from 2,500 upwards and representing all areas of the Nation. * By Earl James McGrath, U. S. Commissioner of Education, Federal Security Agency, Washington, D. c., in "Across the Nation with Fublic Purchasing Executives", published in NIGP Letter Service No. 119, page 10, July 15, 1952.