| Summary |
The purpose of this study was (1) to ascertain how military personnel felt the education center was meeting their needs, (2) to learn now faculty and staff members, particularly those concerned with the communicative skills areas, felt about the education program, and (3) to determine how the people involved thought the program could be improved. The study was delimited to programs on the preparatory school, the high school, and the college levels at the Main Post Army Education Center at Fort Bragg, North Carolina. A review of related literature provided a brief historical sketch of the General Education Program, a statement of Army goals on the desired educational level of its ranks, and a perspective on the operation of the total education program at the Fort Bragg Army- Education Center. Three questionnaire forms were used to survey the thoughts and attitudes of students and faculty members involved in the program. The data from these forms were supplemented information derived from the related literature. Questionnaires returned by the general faculty showed that difficulties existed in motivation, continuity, and a failure on the part of students to be responsible for their class obligations. Other problems were revealed in the areas of military unit co-operation, and in an apparent mass production motive which seemed to weaken the total program. Teachers -working in the communicative arts part of the operation showed that the most serious weaknesses in the program were in reading, writing, and a lack of much opportunity to develop effective skills in these areas. Other weaknesses cited by the teachers Included the disuse of reference materials, particularly in relation to developing fundamental research skills. Questionnaires received from students enrolled at the education center tended to show that the students felt there were weaknesses in class continuity, in effective unit support to individual study as a means to advancement, and in the guidance services. The students also indicated concern about reference materials. textbooks and transportation. From the findings and conclusions, seven recommendations were made in the following areas: supporting regulations, unit co-operation, general quality, guidance, communicative arts, reference facilities. and wider coverage of ail of Fort Bragg with services and opportunities available through the Fort Bragg Army Education Center. |
