Syracuse University School of Education Records
A description of its records at the Syracuse University Archives
Summary |
|
| Creator: | Syracuse University. -- School of Education. |
| Title: | Syracuse University School of Education Records |
| Dates: | 1895-2016 |
| Size: | 245 boxes (221.25 linear feet) |
| Abstract: | Publications, office files, correspondence, and other information about academic programs, centers and institutes, conferences, lectures, and other aspects of the School of Education. |
| Language: | English |
| Repository: |
University Archives, Special Collections Research Center Syracuse University Libraries 222 Waverly Ave., Suite 600 Syracuse, NY 13244-2010 https://library.syracuse.edu/special-collections-research-center/university-archives |
| Sponsor: | The processing of a small part of this collection was made possible through the generosity of Marion W. Meyer G'55. |
Historical Note
Prior to 1896, Syracuse University offered various classes through the Department of Philosophy for those interested in teaching, but had not established an education program. However, several University administrators were very interested in following a nation-wide trend of institutionalizing teacher training and began preparing for an official program. Finally, in 1906, under the direction of Dr. J. Richard Street, the officially named Margaret Olivia Slocum Teachers’ College of Syracuse University was inaugurated, and after a generous endowment from Mrs. Russell Sage, moved into Yates Castle.
The Teachers’ College intended to give students the methods and practical experience to teach in whatever academic field they chose. In the beginning, students were dually enrolled; they took several pedagogy classes, but the vast majority of their instruction actually came from their classes in the Liberal Arts. By the mid-1920s, the need for better structure and an autonomous role was becoming apparent to the faculty and administrators of the College. Because the program was growing in popularity, expanding its curriculum, and attempting to balance teaching the subject and teaching the student, the original structure of the College needed to adjust to aid in this development.
In 1930, the College was at a crossroads, and the newly instated dean, Harry Ganders, enthusiastically pushed the reorganization forward. In 1934, the Teacher’s College became the all-University School of Education. The revised plans for training teachers included a non-departmentalized approach to their internal structure, dually appointed professors, strengthened relationships with outside departments, clearer guidelines for admitting students, and a focus on placement after graduation. Students would apply to the five-year program as sophomores, and were admitted after rigorous examination; the concept of dual-enrollment still applied, but instead of focusing on an area of study, students focused on teaching. The outlook of the new School of Education shifted to teaching for the pupils rather than teaching for the subject.
The School of Education expanded greatly after this initial reformation and thrived in the years that followed. Innovative programs, institutes, and organizations such as the Educational Film Loan Library, the Student Dean Program, the Urban Teaching Program, and the Center on Human Policy set the foundations for programs in later years that would focus on new technology, the advancement of those in administrative positions, and inclusive means of teaching. In 1946, the School also pioneered a Special Education program that applied progressive views to teaching people with various disabilities, an emphasis that only strengthened through the years, especially under Deans Burton Blatt and Douglas Biklen.
However, by the late 1970s, the need for another major reorganization was obvious. The School’s organization had become too congested to remain without specialized focus. After 1977, the School was subsequently broken into major divisions: Study of Teaching, Special Education and Rehabilitation, Educational Foundations, and Educational Development and Administrative Studies. In the years that followed, small adjustments occurred throughout the School, but the changes were more complementary shifts than substantial cuts.
Presently, the School of Education looks significantly different than the Teacher’s College that started over a century ago, or even 40 years ago. The scope of the School has expanded, and now includes seven areas of focus, a variety of affiliated centers and institutes, and diverse programs to aid teachers and students alike. Syracuse University’s School of Education continues to transform itself and incorporate new technology, novel concepts, inclusive teaching, and other hands-on approaches to the education of teachers.
Scope and Content Note
The Syracuse University School of Education Records contain a variety of materials that illustrate the progress and development of the School’s many programs, departments, and endeavors from 1895 to 2016. Materials include admission and financial aid materials, catalogs, general files, correspondence, materials related to the various centers and institutes of the School, conference and workshop information, publications, reports and other materials related to the alumni, faculty, history, lectures, and special events related to the School of Education.
Restrictions
Access Restrictions
The collection is currently unprocessed and not available for research. School, college and department records are restricted to the office of origin for 30 years.
Use Restrictions
Written permission must be obtained from the Syracuse University Archives and all relevant rights holders before publishing quotations, excerpts or images from any materials in this collection.
Related Material
Related material includes a number of clipping files on the School of Education and images in the Archives' Photograph Collection. The Archives also has collections on various faculty members of the School of Education; a list of these names may be found under the heading "Education" online.
More information may be found in the School of Education Office of the Dean Collection. Please note that advance notice is required to allow time to have the materials brought to the Reading Room on campus and that records less than 30 years old are restricted.
Selected Search Terms
Names
Subjects
Types of material
Administrative Information
Preferred Citation
Preferred citation for this material is as follows:
Syracuse University School of Education Records,
University Archives,
Special Collections Research Center
Syracuse University Libraries
Acquisition Information
Since 1959, the School of Education, as well as various deans and staff, have been transferring increments of the School of Education Records to the Archives.
Processing Information
In 2012, a small portion of these records made up the School of Education Reference Collection and was processed through funding from Marion W. Meyer. In 2016, this Reference Collection was merged with the larger School of Education Records.
Those materials that were processed were placed in new archival boxes and kept in their original archival folders or placed in new, if necessary.
Finding Aid Information
Created by: Mary Skaden
Date: 2012
Revision history: 2016 - Collections merged and finding aid updated (AES);
Mar 2022 - Restriction added (HVA)