A Brief History of the Graduate School of Education

1889: UC Regents announce, “the intention…to establish a course of instruction in the science and art of teaching.”

1892: Elmer Ellsworth Brown is hired as the first Professor of the Science and Art of Teaching. The Department of Pedagogy is established. The B.A. degree in education is offered through the College of Letters and Science.

Elmer Ellsworth Brown (1861-1934). First professor of Education at Cal, designed first statewide standards for secondary teachers

1894: First California high school teaching certificate that is based on standards developed by Prof. Brown issued by UC Berkeley.

1898: The Department of Pedagogy grants its first Ph.D. to Millicent Washburn Shinn. Hers is the first doctoral degree earned by a woman in the University of California.

Millicent Washburn Shinn (1858-1940). First Ph.D. in Education at Cal, first woman Ph.D. in the University. Inscription on back of photo: “with apologies for that poison oak that spoiled your examinations, Millicent W. Shinn, '79.”

1900: The Department of Education established as a unit of the Graduate Division.

1903: UC students begin practice teaching in Berkeley public schools.

1905: Masashi Yoshimi becomes the first Asian American to earn an advanced degree from UCB’s Department of Education, writing a master’s thesis on secondary school organization in Korea.

1913: On recommendation of the Academic Senate, the Regents establish the School of Education. Alexis Lange becomes the first dean.

1922: The School of Education begins offering the Ed.D. degree.

1924: The School moves into the newly-completed Haviland Hall. Many credential programs offered, including administrative credentials.

The School moved into Haviland Hall in 1924.

1936: First M.A./Advanced Credential programs developed.

1941: Courses in special education first offered; elementary and secondary credentials separated.

1947: First funding of educational research through grant from University funds. In the following year, research is clearly articulated as a major goal.

Students in the Lange Library of Education, Haviland Hall, 1950

1952: Field Service Center established for “promoting professional services to the public schools.”

1959: Elementary School Science Project is formed to research problems and design improvements in science education.

1962: School of Education moves to new home in Tolman Hall. Theodore Reller begins his nine-year term as dean.

1965: School Psychology credential program instituted.

1967: Joint Doctoral program in Special Education started, firsst joint program between Cal State and University of California university systems.

1970: Academic divisions officially formed. Merle L. Borrowman begins six-year deanship the following year.

1973: Bay Area Writing Project founded at UC Berkeley. Later giving rise to California Writing Project and National Writing Project.

1980: The Developmental Teacher Education Program (DTE) opens its doors.

Bernard Gifford

1983: Bernard R. Gifford begins five-year term as dean. Funding for research projects grows dramatically under his leadership. Faculty hires include James Greeno, Alan Schoenfeld, Andrea diSessa, Peter Pirolli, Jean Lave, Carol Stack, Pat Cross, Norton Grubb, Judith Warren Little and Prentice Starkey.

1984: Flanders Fellowships initiated.

1990: William D. Rohwer, Jr. begins term as dean after being appointed acting dean in Jan. 1989. Restructuring effort starts in 1994.

1996: Eugene E. Garcia appointed dean. School consolidates divisions and moves toward more inclusive structure, hosts national conference on collaboration and excellence in 1996.

1999: The Masters and Credential in Science and Mathematics Education (MACSME) and Multicultural Urban Secondary English (MUSE) programs begin, both are two-year graduate programs leading to a combined M.A. in education and a California Single-Subject Credential for teaching either science or mathematics and English at the secondary level.

2000: The Principal Leadership Institute (PLI) established to prepare leaders for San Francisco Bay Area urban schools. Students completing the program receive an M.A. in Education and a recommendation toward a Tier I Administrative Services Credential.

2001: P. David Pearson begins a nine-year tenure as dean.

2003: Leadership for Educational Equity (LEEP), formerly known as the Joint Doctoral Program in Educational Leadership, begins offering three-year course of study for working professionals leading to an Ed.D. in Educaitonal Leadership.

CAL Prep students

2004: California Prep Academy (CAL Prep), UC Berkeley's Public Charter School, opens.

2006: Academic Talent Development Program (ATDP) turns 25.

2008: Policy Analysis for California Education (PACE) celebrates a quarter century as an influential independent education research center.

2009: Four women of color — Lisa García Bedolla, Na'ilah Suad Nasir, Janelle Scott and Tina Trujillo — begin tenure at GSE faculty.

The Developmental Teacher Education Program (DTE) suspends admissions due to budget cuts, with plans to reorganize and reopen in Fall 2011.

Patricia, Kenneth and David Behring with representatives from Principal Leadership Institute Cohorts 1 through 10.

2010: PLI turns 10 with gala benefit at Blackhawk Museum.

Judith Warren Little selected dean, with term beginning July 1, 2010.

2011: The Developmental Teacher Education Program (DTE) opens admissions for fall 2011.