59454554,

PATTERNS OF WORKERS’ EDUCATION

  

SCOPE AND METHOD OF INVESTIGATION

The aim of the writer is threefold: to describe how workers’ education has
developed in the United States and what are its patterns within various organ-
izations; to relate the Bryn Mawr Summer School for Women Workers in
Industry to the broader movement; and to study what the alumnae of the
School are accomplishing in their communities, with special attention to their
background, opportunities, and problems. Emphasis is focused upon the past
decade but for the sake of continuity earlier developments are sometimes indi-
cated.

Data relevant to the purpose of the research were gathered from primary
as well as secondary sources.” Sociological and economic books furnished gen-
eral background data. Specific literature dealing with workers’ education
provided, of course, a mine of information. Reports and staff bulletins of
various organizations were analyzed. Finally, in order to ascertain recent
trends, 119 letters were sent to 11 types of agencies conducting educational
programs for workers. Eighty-five answers were received.

The detailed picture of the Bryn Mawr Summer School was attained not
only from descriptive literature, but also from minutes, reports, correspond-
ence, publicity, and scrapbooks filed in the office of the School. In order to
ascertain how money has been raised for the institution, the writer sent letters
to summer school district committees. Information pertaining to the students
and the communities in which they live was gathered from books and articles,
reports and correspondence in the summer school office and inquiries sent to
community organizations, requesting information about summer school
alumnae, Special effort was expended to encourage reports about inactive as
well as active individuals. To discover whether returns were accurate and rep-
resentative, a selected few communities were visited and personal interviews
conducted with alumnae, committee members and individuals in varied pro-
grams. Finally, still another check was provided by questionnaires sent to a
group of alumnae about whom little information was at hand and who lived
in cities which could not be visited easily; inactive members as well as those
who were active were again urged to respond. As a result of all inquiries,
information is on hand for almost one-half of the women who attended the

 

* Detailed charts, copies of letters and questionnaires ate in the origi ipt |
Segh Bate Colle. q e in the original manuscript at

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