THE REQUEST FOR THIS INVESTIGATION BY THE SPECIAL COMMITTEE OF THE NATIONAL EDUCATION ASSOCIATION COMMISSION ON PROFESSIONAL RIGHTS AND RESPONSIBILITIES RESULTED FROM THE FIRING OF NINE NEGRO TEACHERS IN WILCOX COUNTY. THE STUDY ITSELF IS MORE INCLUSIVE, INCORPORATING THE FINDINGS AND CONCLUSIONS OF SEPARATE STUDIES IN POVERTY, SCHOOL FINANCE, UNFAIR DISMISSAL PROCEDURES AND POOR PERSONNEL POLICIES, INADEQUATE INSTRUCTIONAL SUPERVISION AND MATERIALS, AND CHANGING POLITICAL AND SOCIAL ORDERS. BACKGROUND INFORMATION IS PRESENTED IN THE FORM OF A CHRONOLOGY OF SIGNIFICANT EVENTS, STATISTICS OF THE ECONOMIC CONDITIONS, AND A PROFILE OF THE WILCOX COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS. THE FINDINGS OF THE STUDY ARE PRESENTED UNDER SIX HEADINGS--(1) EDUCATIONAL EXPENDITURES IN WILCOX COUNTY, (2) THE TEACHER'S CHARGES, (3) THE STUDENT'S CHARGES, (4) SCHOOL FINANCIAL RESOURCES IN WILCOX COUNTY, (5) SCHOOL LEADERSHIP RESOURCES IN WILCOX COUNTY, AND (6) POTENTIALS FOR CHANGE. RECOMMENDATIONS FOR SOLVING THE EXISTING PROBLEMS ARE MADE BASED ON THESE FINDINGS. THIS DOCUMENT IS AVAILABLE AS STOCK NO. 165-05034-35M FROM THE NATIONAL EDUCATION ASSOCIATION, 1201 SIXTEENTH STREET, N.W., WASHINGTON, D.C. 20036. (HW)