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INVENTORY OF THE CALIFORNIA STATE CURRICULUM COMMISSION PAPERS, 1965-1971
"Consult repository."
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Table of contents
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
There are no access restrictions on this collection.
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.
[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 is not available.
The collection was processed, and the finding aid written, in February, 2009.
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.
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.
Textbook bias
Textbooks for students
Textbooks—publishing
Textbooks—California—Evaluation
Bird, Donald A.
Caughey, John Walton, 1902-1995
Franklin, John Hope, 1915 –
May, Ernest R.
Rafferty, Max Lewis, 1917 -
California. Curriculum Development and Supplemental Materials Commission.
Land of the free, a history of the United States
The following work was used in the creation of this finding aid:
Curriculum Development & Supplemental Materials Commission.