INVENTORY OF THE CALIFORNIA STATE CURRICULUM COMMISSION PAPERS, 1965-1971
Finding aid prepared by Michele Anderson
California State University Historical Archives
California State University, Dominguez Hills
Archives & Special Collections
University Library, Room G-145
1000 E. Victoria Street
Carson, California 90747
Phone: (310) 243-3895
URL: http://archives.csudh.edu/
©2006
Descriptive Summary
Title: California State Curriculum Commission Papers
Dates: 1965-1971,
Date (bulk): bulk 1966-1968
Collection Number: "Consult repository."
Creator:
California. Curriculum Development and Supplemental Materials Commission.
Extent:
6 boxes,
[2.75 linear ft]
Repository:
California State University Historical Archives
California State University, Dominguez Hills
Archives & Special Collection
University Library, Room G-145
1000 E. Victoria Street
Carson, California 90747
Phone: (310) 243-3013
URL: http://archives.csudh.edu/
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.
Language: Collection material is in English
Administration Information
Access
There are no access restrictions on this collection.
Publication Rights
All requests for permission to publish or quote from manuscripts must be submitted in writing to the Director of Archives
and Special Collections. Permission for publication is given on behalf of Special Collections as the owner of the physical
materials and not intended to include or imply permission of the copyright holder, which must also be obtained.
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.
Acquisition Information
Acquisition information is not available.
Processing Information
The collection was processed, and the finding aid written, in February, 2009.
History
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.
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.
Indexing Terms
Subjects
Textbook bias
Textbooks for students
Textbooks—publishing
Textbooks—California—Evaluation
Personal Names
Bird, Donald A.
Caughey, John Walton, 1902-1995
Franklin, John Hope, 1915 –
May, Ernest R.
Rafferty, Max Lewis, 1917 -
Corporate Names
California. Curriculum Development and Supplemental Materials Commission.
Titles
Land of the free, a history of the United States
Related Material
Container list
Land of the Free materials,
1965-1971
Physical Description: 6 boxes, [2.75 boxes]
Scope and Content Note
Includes 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
Box CC001, Folder 15913
Meeting Minutes - Palm Springs,
1965, November 17,18,19
Box CC001, Folder 15914
Meeting of State Curriculum Commission - Palm Springs: Agenda; List of Committees Carrying Out Assignments,
1965, November 17, 18, 19
Box CC001, Folder 15915
Meeting of State Curriculum Commission - Palm Springs: Adoption Periods of State Textbooks; Schedule for Future Textbook Adoptions;
Recommended Adoptions; School Enrollment,
1965, November 17, 18, 19
Box CC001, Folder 15916
Meeting of State Curriculum Commission - Palm Springs: Rating Sheets,
1965, November 17, 18, 19
Box CC001, Folder 15917
Meeting of State Curriculum Commission - Palm Springs: List of Proposed Textbooks; List of Publishers; "Land of the Free"
proposed,
1965, November 17, 18, 19
Box CC001, Folder 15918
Meeting of State Curriculum Commission - Palm Springs: Change of Date for Submission of Bids; Schedule of Adoption Activities,
1965, November 17, 18, 19
Box CC001, Folder 15919
Meeting of State Curriculum Commission - Palm Springs: Memorandums,
1965, November 17, 18, 19
Box CC001, Folder 15920
Meeting of State Curriculum Commission - Palm Springs: Draft of Policy Statement,
1965, November 17, 18, 19
Box CC001, Folder 15921
Meeting of State Curriculum Commission - Palm Springs: Memorandums,
1965, November 17, 18, 19
Box CC001, Folder 15922
Meeting of State Curriculum Commission - Palm Springs: Suggested Criteria for Evaluating Music Materials,
1965, November 17, 18, 19
Box CC001, Folder 15923
Meeting of State Curriculum Commission - Palm Springs: Minutes,
1965, November 17, 18, 19
Box CC001, Folder 15924
Agenda - San Francisco: Meeting Minutes; Correspondence,
1966, January 24,25
Box CC001, Folder 15925
Agenda - Newport Beach: Meeting Minutes; Correspondence re: "Stories California Indians Told
1966, March 30, 31 and April 1
Box CC001, Folder 15926
Agenda - Sacramento: Meeting Minutes,
1966, April 14 and 15
Box CC001, Folder 15927
Agenda - Los Angeles: Meeting Minutes; Letter comparing "America's Story" with "Land of the Free",
1966, May 12,13,14
Box CC001, Folder 15928
Criticisms of "Land of the Free" [California State Department of Education],
1966, July 25
Box CC002, Folder 15929
Agenda - Palo Alto; Meeting Minutes,
1966, August 17,18,19
Box CC002, Folder 15930
Agenda - Berkeley: Meeting Minutes; Correspondence re: "Land of the Free,"
1966, November 16,17,18
Box CC002, Folder 15931
Agenda - Newport Beach: Meeting Minutes; Agenda mentions "Land of the Free,"
1967; January 18,19,20
Box CC002, Folder 15932
Agenda - Los Angeles Airport: Meeting Minutes; Assembly Bills,
1967, March 29,30,31
Box CC002, Folder 15933
Agenda - Los Angeles: Meeting Minutes,
1967, April 13,14
Box CC002, Folder 15934
Agenda - Carmel: Meeting Minutes; Assembly Bills,
1967, August 16,17,18
Box CC002, Folder 15935
Report of "Land of the Free" - "Land of the Free and Its Critics" [Southern California Social Science Association],
1967, August 25
Box CC002, Folder 15936
"Land of the Free and Its Critics" [California Teachers Association],
1967, October
Box CC002, Folder 15937
Agenda - San Francisco Airport,
1967, October 19 and 20
Box CC003, Folder 15938
Agenda - Los Angeles,
1967, November 15,16,17
Box CC003, Folder 15939
Correspondence and memoranda received by Dr. Donald A. Bird re: "Land of the Free" 1 of 2,
1966-1967
Box CC003, Folder 15940
Correspondence and memoranda received by Dr. Donald A. Bird re: "Land of the Free" 2 of 2,
1966-1967
Box CC003, Folder 15941
Newspaper and magazine clippings; articles and news releases re: "Land of the Free",
1966-1968
Box CC003, Folder 15942
"California State Textbooks: Elementary School Textbooks Adopted by the State Board of Education
for Use in California During 1968-1969" [California State Department of Education],
1968
Box CC003, Folder 15943
Reviews of Fifth and Eighth Grade Textbooks in
History, Geography and Related Social Studies;
includes reviews of "Land of the Free",
1966-1968?
Box CC003, Folder 15944
Critical Appraisal of "Land of the Free" [Land-of-the-Free Committee],
1966-1968?
Box CC004, Folder 15945
Land of the Free, 1965 Text Edition,
1965
Box CC004, Folder 15946
Land of the Free, Revision of 1965 Text Edition with paste-ins showing proposed changes and additions,
1965
Box CC005, Folder 15947
Land of the Free, 1966 Text Edition and teacher's manual,
1966
Box CC005, Folder 15948
Land of the Free, 1967 Text Edition,
1967
Box CC006, Folder 15949
Land of the Free, 1971 teacher's annotated text edition,
1971