1950's Education | White House Conference on Education

Agenda.

The White Conference on Education, held 28 November-1 December 1955, was the first of its kind. It involved citizens and educators in a study of current educational problems. Money had been allocated earlier in the year for each state to hold its own conference, culminating with the national event. The agenda comprised six topics: (1) What should the schools accomplish? (2) In what ways can the schools be operated more efficiently and economically? (3) What are the school building needs? (4) How can enough good teachers be secured and kept on the job? (5) How can the schools be financed, built, and operated? and (6) How can a continuing public interest in education be obtained?

Plan.

The conference produced a plan for Congress to fund. HEW Secretary Folsom planned to design a proposals around three principles: (1) state and local efforts should not be reduced by federal aid for school buildings; (2) need...