Records of the Pennsylvania Council on Social Studies


Prior to the founding of the Pennsylvania Council for the Social Studies (PCSS), the professional interests of social studies teachers in Pennsylvania were handled at the local level by city, district and county organizations. Development of a state-wide council was ignored until 1948. At that time, the PA Department of Public Instruction appointed R.W. Cordier of Indiana County to chair the Secondary Social Studies Curriculum Committee, This committee proposed a state council to deal with matters concerning the teaching of social studies within the state school system. This proposal was approved in 1950.

A tentative constitution for the PCSS was drawn up in 1952 and tendered to a review committee, and the first meeting of the PCSS was held on April 11, 1953, in Harrisburg, PA. One hundred thirty-five teachers attended. The group worked to keep social studies current, and eventually standardized, in the state of Pennsylvania.

Currently, PCSS is a thriving instituion with a vastly expanded membership and role within the scholastic community. The council continues to evaluate social studies curriculum and proposes changes and additions to school programs.

The records of the Pennsylvania Council for the Social Studies cover the years 1953-1993, with new materials added periodically. The collection consists of meeting minutes and agendas, correspondence, constitutions, membership lists, executive committee files, social studies curriculum proposals, News and Views (the Council's newsletter), and annual coference programs.

(2.5 Linear Feet)


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Last modification was on November 25, 1996