Access to Collection
Publication Rights
Acquisition Information
Preferred Citation
Scope and Contents
Organization Background
Collection Series:
Title: EDSource Records
Identifier/Call Number: M1903
Contributing Institution:
Department of Special Collections and University Archives
Language of Material:
English
Physical Description:
122.5 Linear feet
132 containers
Date (inclusive): circa 1973-2012
Abstract: EdSource is an organization responsible for gathering and sharing information concerning educational policies and reforms,
both in California and nationally. The EdSource Collection houses documents relating to the research, data, and activities
necessary to create these resources from 1973 to 2012.
creator:
EdSource (Organization).
Access to Collection
The materials are open for research use. Audio-visual materials are not available in original format, and must be reformatted
to a digital use copy.
Publication Rights
All requests to reproduce, publish, quote from, or otherwise use collection materials must be submitted in writing to the
Head of Special Collections and University Archives, Stanford University Libraries, Stanford, California 94305-6064. Consent
is given on behalf of Special Collections as the owner of the physical items and is not intended to include or imply permission
from the copyright owner. Such permission must be obtained from the copyright owner, heir(s) or assigns. See: http://library.stanford.edu/spc/using-collections/permission-publish.
Restrictions also apply to digital representations of the original materials. Use of digital files is restricted to research
and educational purposes.
Acquisition Information
This collection given by EdSource to Stanford University, Special Collections in 2012.
Preferred Citation
[identification of item], EDSource Records (M1903). Dept. of Special Collections and University Archives, Stanford University
Libraries, Stanford, Calif.
Scope and Contents
EdSource is an organization responsible for gathering information relating to educational policies and reforms, and disseminating
this information in various forms to the public. The EdSource collection houses documents relating to the research, data,
and activities necessary to provide this information from 1973 to 2012. EdSource focuses on evaluating policies and practices,
seeking reforms and improvements in all areas of education.
The collection is primarily comprised of research material and the information assembled by EdSource for publication. This
includes reports, case studies, statistics, data, budgets, legislation, surveys, drafts, meeting reports, correspondence,
articles, and notes. The information is distributed in several forms, including EdFacts: concise, periodic sheets, usually
covering a single topic; EdSource Reports: longer reports, covering one or many topics; and even more extensive EdSource Studies,
which in some instances, may produce multiple reports. Reports such as "A Study of Middle School Grades Educational Practices
and Student Achievement in CA, A Large Scale Survey of Schools with Grades 6-8", "Similar Students, Different Results: What
Makes a Difference in the Middle Grades? A Large-Scale Survey of CA Schools Serving Middle Grade Students" and "Improving
Achievement for Low-Income Students: What Makes a Difference" were products of larger studies on the middle grades and student
achievement.
EdSource also produced Information Service Packets and Resource Cards, periodic information covering various topics, including
ballot measures, school facilities, class size, testing, graduation and dropout rates, collective bargaining, teacher recruitment
and retention, education and workforce, budgets, and school revenue. The collection includes the published versions of these
reports from 1980 to 2011, and the research and raw data referenced in their creation. Another area of emphasis is school
financing; how federal and state money is allocated, and evaluating budget, policy, and funding changes. This includes state
and local budgets, revenue, managing resources, categorical funding, accounting, property tax, equity, adequacy, facilities,
teacher compensation, benefits, and district rankings. Additionally, EdSource uses school financial data to compare California
nationally and internationally.
The collection holds a small amount of audio/visual material. There are computer file versions of the research and publications
from EdSource, using several storage mediums, including floppy disks, zip floppy disks, and compact discs, as well as audiocassette
recordings. The collection also contains videocassettes and DVDs capturing research, instructional and event recordings, as
well as news reports and documentaries on about school funding, academic standards, conferences, anniversaries, state senate
programs, demographics, and school violence. For more detailed information on the EdSource records, refer to the collection’s
box listing below.
Organization Background
EdSource’s origins begin with the formation of the California Coalition for Fair School Finance in 1976 by the League of Women
Voters, the California State Division of American Association of University Women, and the California Congress of Parents
& Teachers. The Coalition formed in anticipation of the California Supreme Court ruling in the Serrano v. Priest litigation
in December of 1976. The court declared the current system which financed California’s public schools to be unconstitutional.
By 1980, these legal demands for equality brought about alterations in the existing laws governing school funding. The purpose
of the Coalition was to disseminate accurate and unbiased information explaining the Serrano decision and its implications
on California school finance to the public.
EdSource was established in 1977, continuing the philosophy and practices formed by its founding organizations. EdSource believes
that an informed, involved public will provide Californians with a stronger school system, civic life, and economy. The organization
disseminates timely, useful and accurate information to key stakeholders and the general public. This includes school districts,
county offices of education, state legislature, media, organizations, parents, teachers, and other individuals.
These reports are intended to highlight education policies and initiatives both in California and nationally, covering a broad
range of topics, including education reforms, early childhood development, college and career preparation, curriculum and
standards, testing and assessment, teachers and administration assessment, counseling and other school services, parent and
public involvement, demographics, diversity, common core instruction, bilingual education, private and charter schools, special
education, student achievement, litigation and legislation. EdSource offers data, research and analysis of any information
relevant to education, keeping interested parties aware of important policies and issues.
Collection Series:
Early Education thru Adult Education
Bilingual Education & Diversity
School Services
Community Involvement
Assessment
Achievement
Standards & Reforms
Administration & Accountability
Policy & Governance
School Finance
Publication Files
Organization Files
Media
Subjects and Indexing Terms
EdSource (Organization).
Education--California
Education--Research--United States.