Council for Basic Education Correspondence, 1956-65 | University of Illinois Archives

Description: Correspondence of Council for Basic Education (CBE) executive secretaries Harold L. Clapp (1956), James D. Koerner (1958-59), Thomas A. Bledsoe (1960, Director 1959) and Mortimer Smith (1957 1961-62, Executive Director, 1962-65) and staff members, including requests for information, reprints, subscriptions and membership; comments from parents, school board members and educators on school systems, curricula, teacher training and certification, techniques for teaching reading, requests for textbook recommendations, candidates for school administrative positions, school board elections and curricula for the gifted. CBE administered funds for strengthening basic education, published a monthly bulletin; reprinted articles of interest to educators and promoted cooperation in educational improvement through interviews, conferences and meetings. The series includes correspondence about reprint permissions, materials exchanges, CBE books and articles, materials for review, regulations governing teacher training and certification and educational philosophy and strategies. CBE favored the study of traditional disciplines in elementary and secondary schools, teaching phonics, special education for the gifted and emphasis on liberal arts training. It opposed "Progressive" education, the "look-say" mode of teaching reading, the requirement of many education credits for teacher certification and athletics, driver education and life adjustment courses. Basic education issues include phonics and reading, science, traditional vs. "new" math, textbook recommendations, education of gifted students and teacher training. 1956-60 correspondence concerns routine office procedures; soliciting and acknowledging members, Bulletin subscriptions and requests for information. There is some political correspondence mail staff members' comments.