Page 6 of Mountain Life & Work vol. 32 no. 1 1956

6 CONTINUING EDUCATION IN APPALACHIA Mr. Crockett is Area Director for the University of Virginia Extension Di vision. He helps to provide oppor tunities for adult education in twen (((S.R. CROCKETT))) ty-one Southwest Virginia counties GREAT THINGS are taking place in the southern Appalachian region. And among the greatest items of growth and concern are factors dealing with the field of education. The efforts of stalwart souls over the past number of years to develop an interest in education at every level for ALL of the people is paying off at last. The candles were bravely lit. . . one at a time, and in rugged and isolated areas, and often they went out. They were lit again and again and finally the light grew in intensity and spread so that more and more people of ability and outstanding leadership qualities were given the great opportunities only provided through the medium of education. Magnificent new buildings are the order of the day and improved facilities for the training of teachers continues to bring into the classroom in increasing numbers teachers trained to eke the most of the storehouse of native ability and energy found in unlimited quantities in the highland regions of eastern United States. The dreams of the pioneer educators of the last several generations are being realized. The genesis of education is in no way being restricted to the youngsters in the private and public schools of the area. New meaning is being given to the term Adult Education. . . or Continuing Education. By the hundreds and thousands, those adults who have attained an age normally not included in the regular school program, whether it be sixteen or sixty, are finding opportunity to continue study in cultural or professional fields of special interest. Those ` people who for various reasons were unable to attend school; or 1.0~ had to cut short the years of schooling for personal or economic reasons; or those people who, only late in life, developed an inter est in education for self-improvement; or those people of any age who feel the need for additional professional improvement in order to meet the present day economic challenges, are all becoming a part of a greatly expanded program of education for the adults.