WISCONSIN IN 1958


   As you recall, we stated that the county superintendent of schools
does not have jurisdiction over city school systems or school districts
operating grades 1 to 12 under a superintendent. As a result of the
reorganization of school district movement, many of the latter type
of districts are being created, and the areas over which some superin-
tendents have jurisdiction is steadily declining. In 1957 a study was
authorized to look at this problem, and determine what the super-
vising unit should be and what it should do.

              Public Higher Education in Wisconsin

   Except for the county teachers colleges which are created by the
county but supervised by the state, all public higher education in
the state is operated by the state itself. The Constitution authorized
the establishment of a university near the seat of government so
the University of Wisconsin came into being almost as soon as state
government itself. At first it was for men only, but soon it was
opened to women too. When the federal government granted the
states land to establish agricultural schools, there was some move-
ment to put the land grant college at Ripon, but it was finally de-
cided to combine it with the university.
   Starting with Milwaukee, the university organized and operated
a series of extension centers in key cities of the state. While several
of them had been in existence before, the first real impetus for one
or 2 years of education close to home came during the depression
when many youngsters could not afford to come to Madison. During
World War II these centers declined bcause of a lack of students, but
with the return of veterans in 1945 and 1946, they boomed and over
30 of them cropped up in various parts of the state. The number
declined until 8 now remain providing one or 2 years of education
similar to that on the campus. In 1955 by legislation the State Col-
lege at Milwaukee and the University Extension Center there were
combined as one institution under the university, known as the
University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee.
  Meanwhile another development was occurring. At first it was
assumed that the private schools would provide the necessary teach-
ers training in this state, but it was soon discovered that this would
not work. While the Constitution did not direct the legislature to
provide teacher training, some recognition of it was made. Beginning
in 1866 with the establishment of a school at Platteville, 9 schools
were created in various parts of the state to train teachers under
the supervision of a board of regents. At first they were called
normal schools and gave only 2 years of training. Then they became
teachers colleges and gave 4 and sometimes 5 years of work. Now
they are called state colleges and not only provide teachers training,
but liberal arts training as well. They are controlled by a board of
regents composed of 12 appointed members, 11 of whom traditional-


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