DOCUMENT RESUME ID 256 730 SP 025 968 AUTHOR Short, Edmund C.; And Others TITLE The Story of the AERA Special Interest Group on Creation and Utilization of Curriculum Knowledge--1970-1984: Toward Excellence in Curriculum Inquiry. PUB DATE Mar 85 NOTE 325p. PUB TYPE Information Analyses (070) -- Reports - Descriptive (141) -- Historical Materials (060) EDRS PRICE MF01/PC13 Plus Postage. DESCRIPTORS Curriculum Development; Curriculum Evaluation; *Curriculum Research; *Educational Research; *Educational Researchers; *Faculty Organizations; Newsletters; Organizational Objectives; Research Utilization IDENTIFIERS *American Educational Research Association; Special Interest Groups ABSTRACT The American Educational Research Association's (AERA) Special Interest Group (SIG) on "Creation and Utilization of Curriculum Knowledge" was formed in 1971 by researchers whose work focused upon the advancement of knowledge in curriculum. The interest area for this SIG centered on generic knowledge about: (1) curriculum definitions; (2) model programs; (3) curriculum designs; (4) the curriculum development process; (5) curriculum objectives; (6) criteria for curriculum content and methods of organization; (7) curriculum evaluation; and (8) other aspects of theoretical and practical import for the creation of improved educational programs. This monograph traces the history of this SIG from its inception in 1971 to the present. The first chapter, by Edmund C. Short, describes the beginnings of the SIG. In chapter two, by George H. Willis, the professional activities of the group are discussed. The third chapter, by William H. Schubert, is a chronicle of the scholarly contributions of the SIG, listing papers and symposia sponsored by the group at AERA annual meetings from October, 1971 through April 1984. Included in the appendixes are SIG newsletters from 1971 to 1984. (JD) *********************************************************************** Reproductions supplied by EDRS are the best that can be made from the original document. *********************************************************************** 0 ti CV CI The Story of the AERA Special Interest Grow on 1.1.1 Creation and Utilization of Curriculum Knowledge- 1970 -1984: Toward Excellence in Curriculum Inquiry by Edmund C. Short The Pennsylvania State University George H. Willis The University of Rhode Island William H. Schubert The University of Illinois at Chicago March 1985 U.S. DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION "PERMISSION 10 REPRODUCE THIS NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF EDUCATION MATERIAL HAS BEEN GRANTED BY EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES INFORMATION CENTER !ERIC) )4This document has been reproduced 85 rectoved from the proson or organization originating It Skori Minor changes have been made to Improve reproduction quality TO THE EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES Points of view or opinions stated in this docu INFORMATION CENTER (ERIC)." ment do not necessarily represent official NIE husmur urpuht.y 2 i Table of Contents Page Introduction ii Chapter One The SIG's Beginnings I by Edmund C. Short Chapter Two Professional Activities of the SIG 33 by George H. Willis Chapter Three Scholarly Contributions of the SIG 58 by William H. Schubert Appendix ACall for Papers - Division B - AERA: 1969-1985 Appendix B!nvitation to Form the SIG Appendix CInvitation to Initial Organizational Meeting Appendix DInvitation to Charter Membership Appendix EPetition to AERA to Recognize the SIG Appendix FSIG Newsletters: 1971-1984 ii INTRODUCTION The formation and continuance ofa Specialinterest Group within the American Educational Research Association is of significance to onlya fraction of the whole Association membership. In the long view of history, the story of sucha Special Interest Group is of minor consequence indeed. However, to those whoare or were a part of such a group, the story of its rise, its purposes, and its activities is worth knowing or recalling. A sense of identity,as well as a sense of contribution made to the larger world of educational research,are among the valued reasons that make the telling of such a story personally and socially worthwhile. The story of the AERA Special Interest Group (SIG)on "Creation and Utilization of Curriculum Knowledge" from 1970-1984, therefore, is set down here for the record for whatever its value to those curriculum scholars who have beenor may become a part of this SIG and to those outside the circle who wish to get some perspective on its life and work. Three of its leaders trace facets of this SIG's story.Its originator and first Chairman, Professor Edmund C. Short, then of the University of Toledo, tells of the birth of the organization in 1970-71, and of the earlyyears of its struggle to survive and to gain identity. Professor George H. Willis, of the University of Rhode Island, tells of the array of organizational activities and projects attempted by the SIG. Professor William H. Schubert, of the University of Illinois at Chicago, reviews the variety of papers and symposia that have been sponsored by the SIG at AERAover the years and offers an appraisal of the significance of these contributions to the field of Curriculum Studies. It should be noted that from the start the SIG on "Creation and Utilization of Curriculum Knowledge" has had very modest ambitions as an organized endeavor.It would have to be considered largely a place-holder,a network for communication 4 iii within AERA, rather than a proactive group determined to accomplish identifiable goals. For the most part, it has been satisfied with facilitating the appearance of certain topics and scholars on the AERA Annual Meeting Program, an aim similar to that of most AERA SIGs.It has sponsored sessions, planned and presented by its members, and has co-sponsored sessions with other SIGs and with Division B. Beyond these activities, it has been chiefly a way of getting in touch and keeping in touch with scholars working on related or similar concerns in the fieldof curriculum. After reciting some of the facts of this fifteen-year history of the SIG, a story not yet concluded but to be continued as the SIG evolves, the authors reflect on some of the accomplishments and issues that have been noted in this story and then speculate on the future of the group. A number of directions that the SIG might take are presented for consideration. These are but three persons' opinions; dialogue among all SIG members and with others will determine the actual next chapters in the ongoing story. Included in the appendix of this historical status study tire several documents, including copies of all the Newsletters published between 1971 and 1984, which are now made available for the public record in one convenient source. Those interested in examining the particulars of the SIG story will find these documents useful. E. C. S. G. H. W. W. H. S. 5 Chapter One TEE SIG'S BEGINNINGS Edmund C. Short The actual beginnings of the present AERA SIG on "Creation and Utilization of Curriculum Knowledge" is easy enough tc.- recount: AERA allowed a minimum of 30 members to petition the Executive Council to form a SIG on any topic and, in this case, a group of curriculum scholars did just this in 1971 and the group officially come into being.Its name and purpose were announced in AERA publications along with the name of the contact person (I was that person), and a network of people drawn to it began to form. What this group did, was about, and has became since that simple act of coming into existence in 1971 is the subject of this story. The story, as we have said, has some interest value for persons involved in it, but it may be of value to those concerned with issues in educational research broadly speaking, at least to those in the domain of it known as Curriculum Studies. For this reason, an attempt is being made by my colleagues Professors Willis and Schubert, and by me to record some of what we saw and experienced and reflected upon in the course of the SIG's formation and its development to date that may be worth sharing with the larger research community. This will be a personal account, in each case, not a formal history.Things we especially recall or thought had significance will be mentioned and many other matters will not be. We hope readers will find the story worth knowing. What the SIG Is About Those who are currently aware of the SIG on "Creation and Utilization of Curriculum Knowledge" are perhaps no more certain what it is about than were the persons who initially gave it some identity.Its purpose, as stated each year since -% 6 2 1973 in the June issue of AERA's Educational Researcher in its annuallisting of SIGs, is as fo;lows:"to focus on the study of the creation and utilizationof curriculum knowledge, the need for such knowledge, and themethodologies for its generation." I would be.the first to admit that thisstatement, originally drawn up by me, has not been taken literally bymore than a handful of persons who have been members of the SIG from the beginning untilnow.I assumed at the start that sucha statement would draw togetherpersons with a common interestininquiry concerning such phenomenaas "the creation of curriculum knowledge," "the utilization of curriculum knowledge,"or the two taken together, "the creation and utilization of curriculum knowledge."I shall explain where this focuscame from a little later in this story, but it is quite obvious thatmost of those attracted to the SIG were not primarily, or even perhaps casually, interested in doingthese kinds of inquiry. It is still a puzzle to me what substantivecommon focus has been implicit in the work of those who have affiliated themselves with the SIG,though I shall speculate on that presently. Yet forty-five curriculum researchersjoined the initial group in 1971 and between 1971 and 1978 (I stopped counting after that)a total of 316 different persons had become members,many of whom were affiliated with the SIG every year.