Administrative Information

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Preferred Citation

the Guide to The School of Education/RG, RG 8, Special Collections and Archives, Johnston Memorial Library, Virginia State University, Petersburg, VA.

Biographical/Historical Information

The Virginia Normal and Collegiate was charted on march 6, 1882. With the following mandate to provide equality for the higher education of the colored youth and to furnish competent teachers for the colored schools of the state. with this charter the first state supported school in Virginia for teachers was established.

During the first twenty-three years, 1883-1906, the Normal Department offered a single three-year curriculum consisting partly of elementary and high school subjects including music, drawing, sloyd, sewing, cooking, physical "culture" and partlyof education courses: the science and art of teaching, moral philosophy, psychology and "general reviews".

The movement toward specialization began in 1909, when students were permitted to select teaching, domestic science or art, agriculture, mechanical drawing, or buisness. Graduation from high school was first required for entrance to teacher-training courses in 1915.

When the four-year college curriculum was reinstated by the state in 1923, The bachelor of science degree in education was the first to be accredited as a "Class a teachers college. In 1925, the college was offered its first differentiated curricula for the seperate training of high school and supervisors, and teachers of public school music.

A major in physical education followed in 1926; the department of secondary education emerged in 1930 offering a curriculum for secondary school principals and teachers; and the department of art was offered in 1933.

With the introduction of liberal arts in 1930, the department of education became the Division of Education, a separate administrative unit of the College offering the four curricula organized by the departments of elementary education, secondary education,

music and physical education. With the introduction of liberal arts in 1930, the department of education became the Division of Education, a separate administrative unit of the College.

The division of education became The School of Education in the 1960's. In 1995 The School of Education was emerged with The School of Humanities and Social Science therefore becoming the School of Liberal Arts and Education.

Scope and Content Information

These records reflect the administration of Edna Meade Colson Phd. Of the school of education during her tenure. During this time the school of education was involved in almost every aspect of the University and the community.

Contained in this record group are routine administrative manners common in all schools within a university setting. the materials reflect the philosophy and the role that education can take in solving societies problems. The records reflect the difficulties faced by an HBCU during the time of "Jim Crowism."

Arrangement

Its a Record Group