Inventory of the California State Senate Education Committee Records
Processed by Emily Conrado and Archives Staff
California State Archives
1020 "O" Street
Sacramento, California 95814
Phone: (916) 653-2246
Fax: (916) 653-7363
Email: ArchivesWeb@sos.ca.gov
URL: http://www.sos.ca.gov/archives/
© 2009
California Secretary of State. All rights reserved.
Inventory of the California State Senate Education Committee Records
See series descriptions for LP numbers.
California State Archives
Office of the Secretary of State
Sacramento, California
- Processed by:
- Emily Conrado and Archives Staff
- Date Completed:
- 1 July 2009
- Encoded by:
- Jessica Knox
© 2009 California Secretary of State. All rights reserved.
Descriptive Summary
Title: California State Senate Education Committee Records
Dates: 1852-2008
Collection number: See series descriptions for LP numbers.
Creator:
Senate Education Committee, 1850-2009
Senate Interim Committee on Education
Senate Select Committee on Education
Senate Subcommittee on Child Development and Child Care Programs
Senate Subcommittee on Educator Evaluation
Senate Subcommittee on Education Reform
Senate Subcommittee on Education Vouchers
Senate Subcommittee on Higher Education
Senate Subcommittee on the Relationship of the State Board of Education and the State Superintendent of Public Instruction
Senate Subcommittee on School Finance
Collection Size:
106 cubic feet
Repository:
California State Archives
Abstract: The Senate Education Committee was created by the first legislature of California on December 21, 1850. The Senate Education
Committee records consist of 106 cubic feet of records reflecting the committee's activities, along with those of its antecedents,
in studying and analyzing primary education related legislation as well as higher education issues.
Physical location: California State Archives
Languages:
Languages represented in the collection:
English
Administrative Information
Access
While the majority of the records are open for research, any access restrictions will be noted in the record series descriptions.
Administrative Note
The California State Archives received the records of the Senate Education Committee over a number of years and archives staff
arranged them at various times. While the physical arrangement of the records reflects this variety, this inventory describes
all of the records according to present archival descriptive standards for legislative committee records. Therefore, the
physical arrangement of these records does not necessarily follow the inventory's order.
Publication Rights
For permission to reproduce or publish, please contact the California State Archives. Permission for reproduction or publication
is given on behalf of the California State Archives as the owner of the physical items. The researcher assumes all responsibility
for possible infringement which may arise from reproduction or publication of materials from the California State Archives
collections.
Preferred Citation
[Identification of item], Senate Education Committee Records, LP[number]:[folder number], California State Archives, Office
of the Secretary of State, Sacramento, California.
Acquisition History
The State Archives received these records in accordance with California Government Code 9080(b) which requires legislative
committees to transfer their records to the State Archives when they are no longer needed by the committee.
Committee History
Education has been an important issue for the state legislature since it's beginning in 1850. The Committee on Public Schools
was the first Senate committee that addressed education in California. This committee was created by the first legislature
of California on December 21, 1850. In the next session the name was changed to the Committee on Education and it was resolved
that any bill relating to education and common schools be referred to this committee.
When California officially became a state in 1850, the United States government appropriated 500,000 acres of land to be used
for the establishment and support of common schools. The Senate Education Committee was called upon to report on the proper
apportionment of money derived from the sale of this land. The committee found that any money made by sale of that land should
only fund education. In the first decades of statehood, the committee also dealt with fundamental issues that accompanied
creating the state school system. This three-member committee addressed the possibility of incorporating into the state school
system institutions of higher education that were previously privately run.
As the realm of education expanded in California, the committee expanded as well. Over the years the committee has averaged
11 members, reaching a high of 14 members in the 1999-2000 legislative session. In 1951 the committee heard bills that amended
the education code or were related to the University of California and any uncodified legislation relating to either. By
1970 the committee's scope changed to include bills relating to education, higher education, and educational personnel other
than noncertificated state employees. As the population in California grew, so did the need for more funding for public schools.
The committee heard bills that dealt with school districts facing bankruptcy, which would have left many children without
education. They also dealt with issues regarding aid for incorporating secondary and higher education institutions into the
state school system.
The chairpersons of this committee from 1962 - 2008 were as follows:
Donnelly, Hugh P. (Dem), 1962-1966
Rodda, Albert S. (Dem), 1967-1976
Dunlap, John F. (Dem), 1977-1978
Carpenter, Paul B. (Dem), 1979-1980
Sieroty, Alan (Dem), 1981-1982
Hart, Gary K. (Dem.), 1983-1994
Greene, Leroy F. (Dem.), 1995-1998
Alpert, Deirdre (Dede) (Dem.), 1999-2000
Vasconcellos, John (Dem.), 2001-2004
Scott, Jack (Dem.), 2005-2008
Scope and Content
The Senate Education Committee records consist of 106 cubic feet of records reflecting the committee's activities, along with
those of its antecedents, in studying and analyzing primary education related legislation as well as higher education issues.
The bulk of the collection consists of bill files, which date from 1964 through 2006. Second in size to the bill files is
the hearing files series, which dates from 1965 through 2005. The collection's large volume and date range of hearing files
from the education standing, interim, and subcommittees provide researchers with clear insight into the concerns and issues
being addressed by the committee and its antecedents.
Education is an integral part of California's structure. The legislation addressed and passed with the recommendation of
this committee has the potential to affect every citizen of the state as they move through the public, private, and higher
education system in California.
The remainder of the collection includes subject files, reports, and correspondence (see series descriptions for complete
list of dates). These three series can provide researchers with an idea of the wide range of topics that the Senate Education
Committee has dealt with since its creation in the early years of statehood. These topics include adoption of new textbooks,
year round school operations, and appropriating money to aid incorporated colleges.
One consistent issue that has been a priority for the Senate Education Committee is that of school safety. In 1997 the legislature
passed the Michelle Montoya School Safety Act, which requires a school district to obtain a fingerprint check prior to hiring
any person for any position that does not require a credential. This bill, AB1610, arose out of the murder of a high school
student by a non-credentialed employee before his fingerprints revealed his prior felony conviction (Chapter 588, Statutes
of 1997). Additionally, in 1999 AB1136 was passed requiring any new or modernized school funded by the state to include a
telephone connection in each classroom or equivalent wireless technology (Chapter 709, Statutes of 1999). The committee considered
many letters from teachers who found themselves in dangerous situations with no way to get help.
Safety is a concern in institutions of higher education as well. AB1088 requires community college districts and the Trustees
of California State University to provide educational and preventative information about sexual violence and requests that
the Regents of the University of California do the same (Chapter 647, Statutes of 2005). Additionally, this bill provides
that victims of on-campus violence receive information and treatment.
The collection also contains several issues the committee dealt with continually over the past three decades. School district
bailouts consistently appear in the Senate Education Committee's collection. In the 1991-1992 legislative session, the Richmond
Unified School District (RUSD) filed bankruptcy and the schools were ordered closed, putting 31,000 students out of their
classrooms two months early. In order to keep the schools open, parents sued and the legislature stepped in, passing AB129
that loaned 29 million dollars to RUSD. The board of education for RUSD turned its power over to a state appointed administrator,
who prepared fiscal and educational reports as well as program requirements the district had to meet.
Due to a rise in hate crimes that spread across the United States in the 1990's, bills passed through the Senate Education
Committee that proposed curriculum dealing with teaching tolerance and non-biased education. AB2543, introduced in 1994,
addresses reducing hate violence in schools by educating students from young ages about tolerance for people of all ethnicities,
races, and lifestyles (Chapter 1198, Statutes of 1994). Name the California Schools Hate Violence Act of 1995,this bill encourages
teachers to impress upon the minds of pupils the meaning of equality and human dignity, including the encouragement of harmonious
relations. Schools are also directed to work to prevent hate violence by creating an environment free from discriminatory
attitudes. Additionally, in 2000 AB1945 added the development of tolerance programs to the statutory objectives that a school
site staff development plan should address (Chapter 960, Statutes of 2000).
Because of its far-reaching scope of influence on society and the role it often plays as leader in the field of education
related solutions, the legislation assigned to the Senate Education Committee captures the attention of a large and wide variety
of groups and individuals. These records are valuable to those researching the development and transformation of California's
public education system.
Accruals
Further accruals are expected.
Indexing Terms
The following terms have been used to index the description of this collection in
the library's online public access catalog.
California State Senate Education Committee
Education
Safety
School districts Finance
Related Collections at the California State Archives
Albert S. Rodda Papers
John F. Dunlap Papers
Alan Sieroty Papers
Deirdre Alpert Papers
Oral Histories of Committee Chairs
Deirdre "Dede" Alpert, Oral History Interview, Conducted 2005 by Christopher J. Castaneda, Department of History, California
State University, Sacramento, for the California State Archives State Government Oral History Program.
John F. Dunlap, Oral History Interview, Conducted 1988 by Carole Hicke, Regional Oral History Office, University of California
at Berkeley, for the California State Archives State Government Oral History Program.
Alan G. Sieroty, Oral History Interview, Conducted 1989-1990 by Carlos Vasquez, Oral History Program, University of California
at Los Angeles, for the California State Archives State Government Oral History Program.
See below for LP numbers
Series 1
Bill Files
1964-2006
Physical Description: 1734 file folders
Alternative Form of Materials Available
Microfilm copies of bill files are available for the years 1964-1990 where indicated with
MF before the LP number. Researchers must use microfilm when available.
Arrangement
Bill files are arranged chronologically by legislative session, then numerically by bill number within each legislative house.
Scope and Content Note
These bill files created by the Senate Education Committee may include all or some of the following items: bill analyses,
amendments and resolutions, author's statements, testimony, press releases, newspaper clippings, background information, correspondence,
roll calls, records of votes, and committee statements. Because of the size and complexity of education in California, the
range of topics included in bills assigned to the Senate Education Committee varies greatly. Some topics of particular interest
and reoccurrence in recent years include hate crime reduction in schools, school district bailouts and reorganization, and
school finance.
1964: SB65 (1ff)
MF LP59:13
1964: AB46-AB145 (1ff)
MF LP59:14
1965: SB1-SB1009 (6ff)
MF LP59:15-20
1965: AB1332-AB2270 (1ff)
MF LP59:21
1966: SB832 (1ff) LP103:13
1967: SB10-SB1611; SCA1-SCA36; SCR30-SCR66;SJR2-SJR21; SR81-SR396 (7ff)
MF LP59:23-29
1967: SB311 (1ff) LP103:14
1967: AB20-AB2593; ACA29; ACR2-ACR123 (5ff)
MF LP59:30-34
1968: SB6-SB1267; SCA1,SCA9; SCR32-SCR84; SJR 12;SR65-SR285; SB1X (12ff) LP70:15-26
1968: SB1 (1ff) LP103:15
1968: AB9-AB2088; ACR5-ACR65; AJR17 (3ff)
MF LP60:3-5
1968: AB8X, AB9X (1ff)
MF LP70:26
1969: SB19-SB1342; SCAs; SCRs; SJRs; SRs (7ff)
MF LP70:1-7
1969: AB3-AB3458; ACAs; ACRs; AJRs (7ff)
MF LP70:8-14
1970: SB1-SB1422; SCAs; SCRs; SJRs; SRs (13ff)
MF LP70:25-37
1970: AB15-AB2537; ACAs; ACRs; AJRs (7ff)
MF LP71:1-7
1971: SB8-SB1638; SCAs; SCRs; SJRs; SRs (13ff)
MF LP90:25-37
1971: AB1-AB3090; ACAs; ACRs (11ff)
MF LP91:1-11
1972: SB10-SB1505; SCAs; SRs (9ff) LP133:7-15
1972: AB6-AB2382; ACAs; ACRs; AJRs (6ff) LP133:1-6
1973-1974: SB6-SB2481; SCAs; SCRs (17ff)
MF LP165:75-91
1973-1974: AB23-AB4509; ACAs; ACRs; AJRs (18ff)
MF LP165:92-109
1975-1976: SB4-SB2199; SCAs; SCRs; SRs (10ff)
MF LP191:1-10
1975-1976: AB31-AB4529; ACA 77; ACRs (13ff)
MF LP191:11-23
1977-1978: SB10-SB2247; SCA26-SCA48; SCR84, SCR89;SJR26 (26ff)
MF LP202:82-107
1977-1978: AB21-AB3808; ACA22; ACA22; ACR18-ACR156 (25ff)
MF LP202:220-244
1979-1980: SB15-SB2030; SCA2-SCA41; SR25 (11ff)
MF LP216:53-63
1979-1980: AB8-AB3407; ACR9-ACR145 (12ff)
MF LP216:64-75
1981-1982: SB10-SB2074; SCA40, SCA45; SCR38-SCR67; SR17,SR42 (25ff)
MF LP232:110-134
1981-1982: AB3-AB3772; ACR63-ACR147 (29ff)
MF LP232:135-163
1983-1984: SB27-SB2328; SCA17-SCA46; SCR4-SCR83; SR34,SR37 (12ff) LP245:32-43
1983-1984: SB9X-SB16X (1ff)
MF LB245:44
1983-1984: AB5-AB4034; ACA44; ACR13-ACR154 (16ff)
MF LP245:45-60
1983-1984: AB22X (1ff)
MF LP245:61
1985-1986: SB45-SB2186 (20ff)
MF LP251:236-245
1985-1986: SB2188-SB2604; SCR14-SCR45; SJR67; SR24 (4ff)
MF LP252:1-4
1985-1986: AB3-AB4387; ACR3-ACR150 (28ff)
MF LP252:5-33
1987-1988: SB9-SB2874; SCR7-SCR92; SJR47; SR40 (27ff)
MF LP264:83-99
1987-1989: AB5-AB4649; ACA49; ACR11-ACR170; AJR16, AJR24 (24ff)
MF LP264:100-123
1989-1990: SB7-SB2906; SCA1-SCA2; SCR16-SCR110; SJR3-SJR56; SR62; SB14X (19ff)
MF LP277:101-119
1989-1990: AB11-AB4345; ACR37-ACR149; AJR33-AJR59; AB3X (35ff)
MF LP277:120-154
1991-1992: SB2-SB2033; SCA13-SCA38; SCR7-SCR81;SJR55; SB3X-SB4X (40ff) LP399:1-40
1991-1992: AB4-AB3787; ACA6-ACA48; ACR36-ACR123;AJR17-AJR46 (78ff) LP399:41-119
1993-1994: SB33-SB2024; SCA2-SCA24; SCR-SCR56; SJR39; SR18-SR39 (42ff) LP399:120-161
1993-1994: AB19-AB3816; ACR53-ACR149; AJR16-AJR87 (68ff) LP399:162-230
1995-1996: SB4-SB2176; SCA5-SCA35; SCR52-SCR66; SJR26-SJR27; SR24-SR41; SB36X; SB2XX (56ff) LP399:231-287
1995-1996: AB21-AB3384; ACR30-ACR67; AJR38 (66ff) LP399:288-354
1997-1998: SB6-SB2223; SCA7-SCA24; SCR7-SCR92 (64ff) LP399:355-418
1997-1998: AB17-AB2812; ACR3-ACR81 (81ff) LP399:419-501
1999-2000: SB3-SB2192; SCA1-SCA2; SCR82-SCR83;SB1X-SB4X (89ff) LP399:502-591
1999-2000: AB1-AB2907; AB1X-AB27X (111ff) LP399:592-703
2001-2002: SB5-SB2083; SCA10; SCR37-SCR49;SB46X (98ff) LP399:704-802
2001-2002: AB6-AB3045; ACR21-ACR194 (113ff) LP399:803-916
2003-2004: SB5-SB1895; SCA16-SCA17; SCR5; SJR11-SJR31; SR36-SR41 (67ff) LP399:917-984
2003-2004: AB23-AB3064; ACR8-ACR193; AJR3-AJR88 (87ff) LP399:985-1072
2005-2006: SB5-SB1853; SCA8-SCA24; SB1X; SCA1X-SCA4X (77ff) LP399:1073-1150
2005-2006: AB13-AB2992; ACR30-ACR118 (97ff) LP399:1151-1248
See Appendix A for LP Numbers
Series 2
Hearing Files
1965-1981
Physical Description: 37 file folders, 1 audiotape, 1 reel-to-reel tape.
Arrangement
Arranged chronologically by hearing date.
Access Information
Access to audiovisual material requires the production of use copies.
Scope and Content Note
Hearing files created by the Senate Education Committee may include transcripts of hearings, testimony, data, and committee
working papers.
For a chronological list of hearings, see Appendix A in Additional Series Information.
Additional Series Information
See Below for LP Numbers.
Series 3
Correspondence Files
1877-1985
Physical Description: 20 file folders
Arrangement
Arranged chronologically by date of correspondence.
Scope and Content Note
Early correspondence is written by educators from around California to the chair of the committee regarding the replacement
of texts used in the classroom. Later correspondence is from the chair, Gary K. Hart, to various legislators regarding bills
on topics such as special education and class size. Within the files, the correspondence is arranged alphabetically.
Correspondence, 1877-1878 (1ff) LP1:1552-1555
Correspondence, 1984 (9ff) LP252:34, 36-43
Correspondence, 1985 (10ff) LP252:35, 44-53
See Appendix B for LP Numbers
Series 4
Reports
1852-1971
Physical Description: 13 file folders
Arrangement
Arranged chronologically by date of report.
Scope and Content Note
Reports created from 1852-1858 by the Senate Education Committee are in the form of correspondence. They are written to the
President of the Senate from the Chair of the committee. These reports discuss 500,000 acres of land given to the state of
California by the U.S. Government for the sole purpose of building "common schools." These reports also convey the committee's
recommendation on bills that deal with the means of establishment and support of schools throughout the state.
For chronological list of reports, see Appendix B in Additional Series Information.
Additional Series Information
See Appendix C for LP Numbers
Series 5
Subject Files
1965-1966
Physical Description: 18 file folders
Arrangement
Arranged alphabetically by subject heading.
Scope and Content Note
Subject files created by the Senate Education Committee may include agendas, minutes, reports, data, news clippings, and correspondence.
This material relates to topics such as public school finance, year round school operations, and higher education.
For an alphabetical list of subject headings, see Appendix C in Additional Series Information.
Additional Series Information
LP191:24-29
Series 6
Consultant's Files
1974-1978
Physical Description: 6 file folders
Arrangement
Arranged chronologically.
Scope and Content Note
Files of Jim Browne, consultant to the Senate Education Committee, and Jan Denton, associate consultant to the Senate Education
Committee. Includes correspondence and memos regarding proposed legislation, committee activities, and responses to requests
for information.
LP384:379-400
Series 7
Minutes
1935
Physical Description: 1 file folder
Arrangement
Arranged chronologically by month.
Scope and Content Note
This file consists of the Senate Education Committee's meeting minutes from March 14, 1935 to June 6, 1935. The file contains
committee discussion of bills considered in 1935.
LP399:1260
Series 8
Administrative File
2007
Physical Description: 1 file folder
Arrangement
Arranged chronologically by date.
Scope and Content Note
The Administrative file contains several records regarding the establishments of the Senate Subcommittee on Higher Education
in 2007. The records describe the scope and the organizational structure of the new subcommittee.
Senate Interim Education Committee
1947,
1966-1969
See Appendix A for LP Numbers
Series 1
Hearing Files
1947,
1966-1969
Physical Description: 19 file folders
Arrangement
Arranged chronologically by date of hearing.
Scope and Content Note
The Senate Interim Education Committee met and held hearings when the legislature was not in session. These were primarily
fact-finding hearings on subjects such as conservation education, school district organization, and private educational institutions
(secondary level). The hearing files contain transcripts of hearings and committee working papers.
For a chronological list of hearings, see Appendix A in Additional Series Information.
Additional Series Information
Senate Select Education Committee
1975
LP194:129
Series 1
Hearing Files
1975
Physical Description: 1 file folder
Arrangement
Arranged chronologically by date of hearing.
Scope and Content Note
The series consists of 1 file folder from a hearing held in Los Angeles on December 5, 1975 to discuss teacher paperwork,
impact on workload, and the need for reform.
Senate Subcommittee on Child Development and Child Care Programs
1973
See Appendix A for LP Numbers
Series 1
Hearing Files
1973
Physical Description: 2 file folders
Arrangement
Arranged chronologically by date of hearing.
Scope and Content Note
This subcommittee's files contain hearing transcripts of two hearings held March 19, 1973 and April 9, 1973 in Sacramento.
These hearings explored childcare services for low-income families and the effects of Title 1, which cut funding to some elementary
and secondary schools.
For a chronological list of hearings, see Appendix A in Additional Series Information.
Additional Series Information
Senate Subcommittee on Educator Evaluation
1977-1978
See Appendix A for LP Numbers
Series 1
Hearing Files
1977-1978
Physical Description: 3 file folders
Arrangement
Arranged chronologically by date of hearing.
Scope and Content Note
Hearing files contain transcripts on topics such as teacher dismissals, credential revocations, public employment, and teacher
retirement.
For a chronological list of hearings, see Appendix A in Additional Series Information.
Additional Series Information
Senate Subcommittee on Education Reform
1975
See Appendix A for LP Numbers
Series 1
Hearing Files
1975
Physical Description: 4 file folders
Arrangement
Arranged chronologically by date of hearing.
Scope and Content Note
Hearing files may contain agendas, statements, testimony, and background information on topics such as school and community
resources, school site management, and teacher salary incentives.
For a chronological list of hearings, see Appendix A in Additional Series Information.
Additional Series Information
Senate Subcommittee on Educational Vouchers
1979
See Appendix A for LP Numbers
Series 1
Hearing Files
1979
Physical Description: 3 file folders
Arrangement
Arranged chronologically by date of hearing.
Scope and Content Note
Files may contain transcripts on topics such as administrative, constitutional, and legal issues associated with proposed
educational vouchers.
For a chronological list if hearings, see Appendix A in Additional Series Information.
Additional Series Information
Senate Subcommittee on Higher Education
1962,
2001-2005
See Appendix A for LP Numbers
Series 1
Hearing Files
1962,
2001-2005
Physical Description: 9 file folders, 26 audiotapes, 1 compact disk
Arrangement
Arranged chronologically by date of hearing.
Access Information
Access to audiovisual material requires the production of use copies.
Scope and Content Note
Files may contain transcripts and testimony on topics such as community college finance, labor relations in the University
of California, and access to the University of California.
For a chronological list of hearings, see Appendix A in Additional Series Information.
Additional Series Information
Senate Subcommittee on the Relationship of the State Board of Education and the State Superintendent of Public Instruction
1967
LP53:57
Series 1
Hearing Files
1967
Physical Description: 1 file folder
Arrangement
Arranged chronologically by date of hearing.
Scope and Content Note
This subcommittee's file consists of 1 file folder from a hearing held in Sacramento on November 27, 1967 to discuss SR357
and the relationship of the State Board of Education and the State Superintendent of Public Instruction.
Senate Subcommittee on School Finance
1962
LP62:23
Series 1
Hearing Files
1962
Physical Description: 1 file folder
Arrangement
Arranged chronologically by date of hearing.
Scope and Content Note
This subcommittee's files consist of 1 file folder from a hearing held in Sacramento on December 13, 1962 to discuss the implementation
of a Master Plan Survey on Higher Education. This is a joint hearing with the Senate Subcommittee on Higher Education.
