Today In History: TC Congress on Democracy in Education

It must be remembered that great as is our interest in training for citizenship in a democracy, we also have the definite purpose of re-establishing an easy means of communication between the public and the schools. Not that we shall create one huge pressure group. There will continue to be many. But it is our hope that some of the causes of division and weakness in our country can be eliminated at their source. The Congress and the idea of interaction of committees are logical outgrowths of the purpose of Teachers College, which is to improve conditions of American life by having better schools and better teachers, by substituting understanding and sympathy for ignorance and prejudice. -- William F.  Russell, The World Congress at Teachers College, 1939).

Just prior to the onset of World War II, Teachers College Columbia University hosted an important congress on democracy from August 15-17, 1939. Leaders from across New York City, the nation, and world attended, including Earl Baldwin, former Prime Minister of England. Led by Dean William Fletcher Russell, its theme, How Shall We Educate for Citizenship in a Democracy?, grew out of two previous conferences held at Teachers College, and served to raise awareness of core Western values tied to teaching and learning. Speakers included Karl Bigelow, Professor of Higher Education at Teachers College, Columbia University, and Director of the Commission for Teacher Education; Frank P. Graham, President of the University of North Carolina; and Dr. Nicholas Murray Butler, Founder of the Industrial Education Association and President of Columbia University, as well as Teachers College.

The Congress lay the foundation for group work; the provision of teaching materials; and continuing research. A significant outcome was the Citizenship Education Project, spearheaded by Teachers College; it sought to develop innovative curricula and methods, as well as create new ways of bringing these products to teachers throughout the United States. 

The following articles are drawn from Proquest Historical Newspapers, which informs and inspires classroom teaching and learning.

• Educators Rallied to "Fighting Faith" to Aid Democracy: They Hear Appeals at N.E.A. Meetings for Counter-Battle and War on Opportunism (1938, Jun 29). New York Times (1923-) 
• 270 Educators Sponsor Congress on Democracy: World Lenders Are Invited to Teachers College Event. (1939, May 29). New York Herald Tribune (1926-1962) 
• 15O City Leaders to Attend Congress on Democracy: Sloan, Chase and Campbell to Participate at Columbia. (1939, Jul 27). New York Herald Tribune (1926-1962) 
• Baldwin Here for Congress on Democracy: Former Prime Minister of Great Britain to Receive LL.D. from Columbia Tomorrow. (1939, Aug 14). New York Herald Tribune (1926-1962) 
• Congress on Democracy Has Overflow Throngs; 16 Seminars to Start Tasks (1939, Aug 16). New York Times (1923-) 
• New York: Congress On Democracy. (1939, Aug 20). New York Times (1923-) 
• Professors  Draft Democracy Credo: Faculty at Teachers College Signing 60-Point Document Clarifying Its Ideals. (1940, Aug 14). New York Times (1923-) Retrieved from http://ezproxy.cul.columbia.edu/login?url=https://www.proquest.com/historical-newspapers/professors-draft-democracy-credo/docview/105466148/se-2
• Fine, B. F. (1951, May 17). Civics Debate Plan Gain For Draftees: Lectures Put Them to Sleep But Teachers College Has Them On Their Toes to Teach Democracy. New York Times (1923-) 
• Padover, S.K.  (1952, Jul 27). One of the Glories of the Republic: Education and American Civilization. New York Times (1923-) 
• Democracy Seen as Moral System: 'It Is Something to Be Lived", Educators Say at Forum at Teachers College.1955, Nov 22). New York Times (1923-) 

Tips:

• Democracy and Education in the Current Crisis [by] the Faculty of Teachers College, Columbia University. August, 1940. New York (State): Teachers College, Columbia university, c1940, 1940. e-book
• De Lima, Agnes. Democracy’s High School ; the Story of Living and Learning in the Lincoln School of Teachers College (High School Division). New York: Teachers College, Columbia university, 1941. TCANA ; LD7501.N5 L624. e-book
• Belth, M. “The Concept of Democracy in Dewey’s Theory of Education.” New York: Teachers College, Columbia University, 1956.
• Citizenship Education Project. 1949-1957. Teachers College, Columbia University. 

Images:

• Fairchild Aerial Surveys, Inc. Teachers College and Environs, Showing New Jersey Shoreline.  From The East.  (Ca. 1939-40). N.p., 1939. Historical Photographs of Teachers College, Courtesy of Teachers College, Columbia University.
• Citizenship Education Project. 20d We Are a Peaceful People and We Work to Rid the World of War and the Threat of War. New York: Teachers College, Columbia University, 1952.
• Poster Image: Fairchild Aerial Surveys, Inc. Teachers College and Environs.  From The South. (Ca. 1939-40). N.p., 1939. Historical Photographs of Teachers College, Courtesy of Teachers College, Columbia University.