EDSource Records, circa 1973-2012

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Summary

Title:
EDSource Records
Dates:
circa 1973-2012
Creators:
EdSource (Organization).
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.
Extent:
122.5 Linear feet 132 containers
Language:
Preferred citation:

[identification of item], EDSource Records (M1903). Dept. of Special Collections and University Archives, Stanford University Libraries, Stanford, Calif.

Background

Scope and content:

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.

Biographical / historical:

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.

Acquisition information:
This collection given by EdSource to Stanford University, Special Collections in 2012.
Arrangement:

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

Rules or conventions:
Describing Archives: A Content Standard

About this collection guide

Collection Guide Author:
Finding aid prepared by Liam O'Hanlin
Date Prepared:
2015
Date Encoded:
This finding aid was produced using the Archivists' Toolkit 2015-05-14T12:20-0700

Access and use

Restrictions:

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.

Terms of access:

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.

Preferred citation:

[identification of item], EDSource Records (M1903). Dept. of Special Collections and University Archives, Stanford University Libraries, Stanford, Calif.

Location of this collection:
Department of Special Collections, Green Library
557 Escondido Mall
Stanford, CA 94305-6004, US
Contact:
(650) 725-1022
specialcollections@stanford.edu
Website