The formulation of effective compulsory attendance laws has been one of the problems confronting legislators and school officials for the past 70 years. The most marked advance in enacting such laws has been made since 1890. Prior to that date only 27 States and the District of Columbia had compulsory laws, and many of these were inoperative. Now…

Switzerland has an area of only a little over 15,900 square miles, a population of about three and one-half millions, but 25 distinct political units--Cantons--each virtually autonomous in the control of its schools. There is no Federal educational board to issue plans, decrees, letters, or special instruction tending to unify the system. Under…