THE UNITED AMERICAN
Page Sixteen
JUNE 1925
Americanization Progress in the State of Rhode Island
By AGNES M. BACON, State Supervisor of Americanization, Providence, Rhode Island
(Special for The United American)
/COMPLETE reports on Americanization classes for
the school year of 1924 -1925, compiled for
the State Board of Educaton, show a total enrollment
for the year of 2685 persons, of whom 1913 were
adults not subject to the compulsory provision. Six
cities and ten towns maintained Americanization
classes, 103 schoolrooms were used, and 123 teachers
were employed. Of the teachers 99 had been trained
specifically in methods of teaching Americanization
classes. The aggregate attendance was 163,142 hours.
The enrollment of 2685 persons included 1281
beginners, of whom 919 were classified as literate and
362 as illiterate. Of the remaining 1404 persons, 730
were enrolled in intermediate divisions, and 674 in
advanced divisions. The enrollment included 1812
boys and men, and 873 girls and women.
Thirty-six nationalities were represented in the
enrollment, distributed as follows: French Canadian,
742; Italy, 497; Portugal, 354; Poland, 177; America,
122; Germany, 113; Hebrew, 109; Armenia, 106;
Sweden, 99; Cape Verde Island, 72; Russia, 46; France,
Syria, each 33; Ukrainia, 25; Greece, 22; Ireland, 17;
Roumania, 16; Ehgland, 13; Denmark, Lithuania, Spain
9 each; Belgium, 8; China, Switzerland, each 7;
Austria, Slovac, 6 each; Albania, Norway, 5 each;
Assyria, 4; Canada, Bulgaria, 3 each; Holland, Negro,
2 each, Brazil, Finland, Hungary, Turkey, 1 each.
Seventeen cities and towns in the state have
reported evening classes conducted for teaching English
in compliance with the State Americanization law.
A total of 8212 hours’ attendance was reported
from factory classes in Bristol, Rhode Island.
Americanization classes for women are conducted
in the Maple Avenue Community House, Barrington,
under the direction of the local supervisor, Mrs. Althea
M. Jencks.
As a result of the efforts of volunteer workers who
had received Americanization training, 72 persons were
enrolled at the Middle Street school, Pawtucket. Miss
A. Mabie Perkins, Supervisor of Evening Schools in
Pawtucket, has outlined a course of study for the
teachers of Americanization classes.
Reports of socialized activities during the even
ing school-year include observance of holidays with
appropriate programs, illustrated lectures, community
Christmas tree gatherings, colonial entertainment, radio
entertainments and correlation of practical arts,
and vocational courses with Americanization class
instruction.
Two teacher-training courses in Americanization
Methods and lectures have been given this school-year
in West Warwick and Providence as part of the
extension course program of Rhode Island College of
Education.
Americanization teachers’ certificates have been
issued to 134 teachers who have taken the course.
The courses given by Agnes M. Bacon, State Super
visor, who has also given illustrated lectures and
talks on citizenship in many schools throughout
the state.
The review of the year’s work in this division indi
cates the substantial effort that is being made to com
bat illiteracy, and the large share of the work that
may be undertaken in and through the public school
organization. The classification of the enrollment in
Americanization classes, however, shows definitely an
enrollment of twice as many men and boys as of
women and girls. The reason is not that men and boys
need the instruction given in Americanization school
more than women and girls, and it is not that there
are more men and boys in the proportion indicated
standing in need of this type of education. The com
pelling reason f«r the disproportion indicated by so
wide a deviation from a nearly even enrollment by sexes
is the fact that attendance is less convenient for women
and girls, because of home care and duties, than for
men and boys. The work of reducing illiteracy among
women and girls is quite as important as that for men
and boys; certainly, so far as the Americanization plan
aims at a wider diffusion of the common language, it
is essential that the women and girls at home who do not
have contact with American speech in shop or factory
should obtain that contact in some definite way. The
obvious solution of the problem lies in making the
Americanization classes more convenient for women
and girls; perhaps in organizing these classes for smaller
groups in homes, to which neighbors may be invited
for short lesson periods. The importance of Ameri
canization classes is indicated in large enrollment,
sei «ous purpose and continued attainment. The move
ment “back to school” takes on an added significance
as it contemplates the return of a considerable part
of the adult population of the state to evening
attendance, with particular emphasis upon instruction
related to and supplementary to daily occupation.
THE EDUCATIONAL AWAKENING IN A LAND
DIVIDED BY MANY LANGUAGES
(Continued from Page Fifteen)
educational awakening due to Rip, and he prayed for
strength—and money. And the light touched the East
first and some of the Western mountain peaks. And
Rip saw that adult education was catching the popular
fancy, that the democratic ideal in education was not
dead, and he stretched out his arms, and lifted his eyes
towards the hills of the Constitution, and said, “If I
ever do sleep again, ’twill be but for a night.”
People have a tendency to become disouraged when adverse
conditions do not become adjusted satisfactorily within a
short space of time. One in a discouraged frame of mind
finds it easy to blame circumstances, and even to blame people,
because of the existing facts. Instead of being discouraged
because your financial condition is not what you desire, begin
to live in thought, word, and act according to Truth. Do not
blame your physical condition for your adverse financial con
dition, or blame your financial condition for your ill health.
Neither is to blame for the other. Your point of view, your
belief, your consciousness is responsible for both.
— Arthur Dudley Hall.