Some Foreign Educational Surveys. Bulletin, 1915, No. 37. Whole Number 664

The educational surveys of which some account is given in this bulletin do not by any means represent all the foreign investigations that have been made; it is believed, however, that they will serve to acquaint American students of education with certain foreign types, and at the same time throw some light on the history of surveys and of progress in education. Foreign surveys differ from the American in point of authorization in that: (a) practically all are made under Government auspices and (b) the work is done either by: (1) a royal commission; (2) a select parliamentary committee; or (3) under the direction of a minister of education. The findings of the commissions, accordingly, carry with them the weight of Government authority: In the schools they are conclusive; and by the general public they are received with deference. The scope of the foreign survey is, in general, wider; it looks less to local conditions than the American survey. Even a slight examination of these reports will reveal the reason for the governmental interest in surveys; namely, international industrial competition, and the disclosure of the fact that industrial progress is dependent upon education. Contents of this bulletin include: (1) Letter of transmittal; (2) Introduction; (3) A Swiss survey; (4) English surveys; (5) Belgian surveys; (6) Scotch surveys; (7) Irish surveys; (8) German and Austrian surveys; (9) A French survey; (10) A survey of New South Wales; (11) A Swedish survey; (12) A New Zealand survey; and (13) A Canadian survey. (Contains 2 footnotes.) [Best copy available has been provided.]