Statement By Commissioner Of Education Earl J. McGrath

Statement by Earl James McGrath, U. S. Commissioner of Education Federal Security Agency Since its earliest days, the Office of Education has been active in promoting the education of young children. In fact, the Annual Report of the Commissioner of Education in 1870, just three years after the establishment of the Office of Education, devoted a lively section to the subject: "Kindergarten Culture." Steadily, through the years, an ever increasing number of scientific studies dealing with child growth and development have been of incal- culable benefit to teachers, parents, legislators, social workers, and, indeed, to all those interested in improving the educational opportunitie for young children have not kept pace with ur.knowledge about young children. We have never actually achieved what we know how to achieve. Today, despite the dissemination of considerable knowledge, the need for more and more nursery schools and kindergartens far outstrips the number we have that are adequately equipped and adequately staffed. Further, today's high birth rate means that we must redouble our efforts and make ready to meet greatly increased demands for school services. In short, unprecedented action on the part of interested lay and professional groups will be immediately necessary before we can begin to give this Nation's children the one essential we acknowledge as their right-the best possible start in life. To be published in Portfolio of Childhood Education, 1949.