School Overcrowding:

The Problems that Arise

standing room only

School overcrowding was one of the biggest obstacles facing black teachers. There were not enough teachers available to adequately teach all of the children who wanted to learn. In 1910 white elementary school teachers taught an average of 34 students in the classroom while the black teachers' classrooms had 47 students. The small, often one room schoolhouses were filled well over capacity. It was virtually impossible for any teacher, regardless of how gifted she was to be an effective educator for a group of that size with so few supplies. At no point could she be sure that all of her students were actively learning. Teachers were rarely afforded time to help students individually. Imagine what would happen if the remaining the 1/3 of the black children who were currently not in school decided to enroll, 17, 456 new teachers would have to be hired! The problem of overcrowding is magnified when one considers that the school term is shorter for black children. (click here for table)