General Continuing Education, Bureau of

The State's supervision of adult education began with the appointment in 1917 of the first supervisor of immigrant education. The focus of the State's program was to provide immigrants over the age of 16 with instruction in English, American history, civics, and other topics promoting "good citizenship." This work was carried out by the Division of Vocational and Extension Education within which a Bureau of Adult Education was established during school year 1928-1929. Gradually, the Bureau's main function turned from primarily immigrant education to the provision of evening classes to the general adult population in the areas of homemaking, industrial, commercial, elementary, secondary, and vocational subjects (e.g. physical education, music). The Bureau also sponsored conferences and institutes for teachers of adult education and administered the Regents literacy test. The Bureau was placed under the newly created Division of Adult Education and Library Extension during a general department reorganization in 1937. During school year 1946-1947 the Bureau was placed under the Associate Commissioner for Technical Institutes and Adult Education; three years later it was transferred to the Assistant Commissioner for Adult Education and Special Services. During school year 1950-1951 it was moved to the jurisdiction of the Assistant Commissioner for Pupil Personnel Services and Adult Education. During a general reorganization in 1966 the Bureau was renamed Bureau of General Continuing Education in the Division of Continuing Education under the Assistant Commissioner for Pupil Personnel Services and Continuing Education.