As visual education departments are very recent additions educational systems, their place in educational institutions is not very well defined. It is desirable as early as possible: (1) to find out what the existing practices are, (2) to institute comparisons among them, and (3) to use these as furnishing clues for establishing the most desirable types and standards. There are two groups of educational plants that have concerned themselves with an organized distribution of visual aids to schools. These are (1) larger city schools system and (2) State institutions. The necessary information concerning the present status of visual educational departments was secured by sending inquiries to these two educational groups. The questionnaire was sent to cities most likely to have such departments. On the whole the study indicates that a large group of State institutions and larger cities regard visual instruction as of sufficient importance to warrant its organization into distinct departments. These departments are now numerous enough and have operated long enough to reveal certain general tendencies and practices from which tentative standards may be set up for the guidance of those contemplating the organization of a similar service for their schools. Contents include: (1) Professional status of visual education officers; and (2) Evaluation and distribution of visual aids. (Contains 4 tables and 5 footnotes.) [Best copy available has been provided.]