es, and organizations is here presented. Such study should serve
as an introduction of the young teacher to the actual world of thought,
in which he is to live, and present to him the questions which he must
aid in solving.

=The National Educational Association.=--One of the most potent factors
of education in the United States is the National Educational
Association, founded in Philadelphia in 1857. The purpose of this
organization, in the language of the preamble to its constitution, is,
"To elevate the character and advance the interests of the profession of
teaching, and to promote the cause of popular education in the United
States." It holds its meetings annually in different parts of the
country, attracting large numbers of teachers of all ranks and from
every section.[183] There are eighteen departments, each of which holds
special sessions during the time of the general meeting, which occurs
early in the summer vacation. The department of superintendence,
however, holds a midwinter meeting which attracts the leading educators
of the country.

Very valuable service has been rendered by the Association through its
committees that have been appointed from time to time to investigate and
report upon special problems. Among the notable reports may be mentioned
the following: Report of the Committee of Ten on Secondary Schools;
Report of the Committee of Fifteen on Elementary Schools; Report of the
Committee on Normal Schools; Report of the Committee on Rural Schools.

The discussions of the Association are preserved in an annual volume of
proceedings. Its committee reports often appear also in special
bulletins. It must be admitted in general that the National Educational
Association fulfils its mission, as outlined in the preamble quoted, in
an admirable way.

THE NATIONAL BUREAU OF EDUCATION

While the United States has no national system of education, each state
having entire charge of its own educational affairs, there is a national
bureau whose office is twofold; namely: (1) to collect statistics, and
(2) to diffuse information concerning educational affairs. This bureau
was established by Congress in 1867, and since 1869 it has been a bureau
of the Department of the Interior. Henry Barnard was appointed the first
commissioner, and he has been succeeded in that office by John Eaton, N.
H. R. Dawson, William T. Harris, and Elmer E. Brown, the present
incumbent.

This bureau fosters the interests of edu