Research


Scope and Content Note

This series consists of applications for shared services filed with the Bureau by boards of cooperative educational services. For the first two school years (1948-1949 and 1949-50) the applications are actually lists of services provided in each supervisory district. The lists indicate the type of service (including the name of the provider), schools served and their enrollment, service period, and cost. Attached to the lists are correspondence and memoranda approving services.

Beginning with school year 1950-1951, two application forms came into use, one for new services and one for continuation of services. The form for continuation of services gives service, schools or school districts, number of pupils (beginning in school year 1957-1958 this is broken down by elementary and secondary and also gives the number of elementary teachers), period of service, and cost. Each application for a new service gives the position title; schools sharing the service; number of elementary and secondary pupils and teachers; service period; estimated cost; title of courses and credit allowed; information on current provision of the service; and anticipated number of classrooms, pupils, classes, and teachers served. Applications are stamped to indicate approval of proposed services. Correspondence and memoranda relating to approval of specific services and copies of lease agreements are occasionally attached to applications.

Many applications were for the hiring of teachers and support staff people to be shared among school districts. Subjects and services requested include art and music education, physical education, health and dental services, speech therapy, guidance, industrial arts, drivers education, home economics, and data processing.