California State Curriculum Commission Papers, 1965-1971,, bulk bulk 1966-1968

Summary

Title:

California State Curriculum Commission Papers

Dates:

1965-1971,, bulk bulk 1966-1968

Creators:

California. Curriculum Development and Supplemental Materials Commission.

Abstract:

Records of the Curriculum Development and Supplemental Materials Commission, commonly called the California State Curriculum Commission (CC), relating to textbook purchasing for California elementary, middle and high schools in the mid 1960’s. Included in the collection are meeting agendas, meeting minutes, memorandums, correspondence, letters, newspaper and magazine articles, and critiques of the proposed eighth grade textbook “Land of the Free”. Five editions of “Land of the Free” and one teacher’s manual are also included in the collection.

Extent:

6 boxes, [2.75 linear ft]

Language:

Collection material is in English

Preferred citation:

[Title of item], CALIFORNIA STATE CURRICULUM COMMISSION PAPERS, Courtesy of the Department of Archives and Special Collections. University Library. California State University, Dominguez Hills.

Background

Scope and content:

The collection of the California State Curriculum Commission (CC), contains materials from 1965 to 1971. The bulk of the material stems from 1966 to 1968, and is related to textbook purchasing for California elementary, middle and high schools in the mid 1960’s. Included in the collection are meeting agendas, meeting minutes, memorandums, and correspondence. Also contained are adoption periods for textbooks, schedules for future textbook adoptions, letters, newspaper and magazine articles, correspondence regarding the textbook “Stories California Indians Told”, and critiques of the proposed eighth grade textbook “Land of the Free”, as well as five editions of “Land of the Free”, with the 1966 edition containing a teacher’s manual. The collection also includes correspondence and memoranda received by Dr. Donald A. Bird, Dean of Graduate Studies at California State University (nee College) in Los Angeles. The correspondence and memoranda pertain to “Land of the Free”, and are from various parties including the California State Curriculum Commission, the California Curriculum Commission Subcommittee for Receiving “Land of the Free”, the California Department of Education, the California Legislature, Franklin Publications, Inc., concerned citizens, teachers, and others.

Biographical / historical:

The Curriculum Development and Supplemental Materials Commission, previously known as the California State Curriculum Commission and commonly known as the Curriculum Commission (CC), advises the California State Board of Education (SBE) on issues pertaining to programs of study and choice of instructional materials for California schools. Members are appointed by the state board or by a member of state government, such as the governor, a senator, or an assembly member, and the term of appointment is limited. Members include teachers, retirees, principals, and directors of educational based organizations. There are fifteen members on the Curriculum Commission as of January 2009.

Curriculum Commission members meet quarterly to discuss such agenda items as bids and proposals for textbooks, textbook adoption dates, budget concerns, distribution of textbooks to students, and textbook content. Members also form committees to complete assignments pertaining to the choice of instructional materials for a specific subject matter, such as Mathematics or Visual and Performing Arts. Committees work to uphold standards and guidelines pertaining to curriculum and learning materials as dictated by the commission in their yearly goals.

The Curriculum Commission reviews proposed textbooks for content. Prior to the 1960’s, grade school textbooks lacked concrete portrayals of the historical experience of minority citizens in the United States. The 1960’s were an era of transition in which educators and publishers strived to create learning materials that reflected the historical experience of all citizens.

In 1965, “Land of the Free” was submitted by Franklin Publications, Inc. as a proposed history textbook for use in eighth grade classes throughout California. Written by three professors, John Walton Caughey, John Hope Franklin, and Ernest R. May, the textbook was admonished by some, such as the then Superintendent of Public Instruction Dr. Max Rafferty, and praised by others. The content of the textbook brought about discussion about how the depiction of African American people and their history in the United States should be characterized in grade school textbooks. The book was also accused of being a form of “propaganda” and having communist leanings at a time of great changes in the education of California students. It was eventually adopted as an approved textbook for California schools.

Acquisition information:

Acquisition information is not available.

Processing information:

The collection was processed, and the finding aid written, in February, 2009.

Rules or conventions:

Finding Aid prepared using Describing Archives: A Content Standard

Related resources

Related material:

The following work was used in the creation of this finding aid: Curriculum Development & Supplemental Materials Commission.

Indexed terms

Subjects:

Textbook bias
Textbooks for students
Textbooks—publishing
Textbooks—California—Evaluation

About this collection guide

Collection Guide Author:

Finding aid prepared by Michele Anderson

Date Prepared:

©2006

Date Encoded:

Machine-readable finding aid created by Michele Anderson. 2009-02-25

Access and use