MSS 73
Conference of Executives of American Schools for the Deaf, est. 1868

Collection of Conference of Executives of American Schools for the Deaf, 1930-1976

 

Gallaudet University Archives.

 

 

Descriptive Summary

Repository: Gallaudet University Archives
Call No.: MSS 73
 Creator:
Title: Collection of Conference of Executives of American Schools for the Deaf, 1930-1976
Quantity: 8.5 Linear Feet (17 document boxes)
Abstract:  
Note: This document last updated 2005 November 30.

Administrative Information

Acquisition Information: Conference of Executives of American Schools for the Deaf Collection was donated to the Gallaudet University Archives by Hugo Schunhoff. The gift was made in 1968.

Processed by: Carie Lyn Kelly. 1984 July 20. Revised by Gary Brooks. 1998 July 8
Processing Note: Historical Sketch derived from MSS 157 by Michael Olson.
Conditions on Use and Access: This collection is open to the public with no restrictions. Photocopies may be made for scholarly research.

 

 

Related Material in the Archives:

See ALADIN

 

Historical Sketch

 

            The Conference of Executives of American Schools for the Deaf was founded in 1868 at Gallaudet University. At that time its name was the Conference of Superintendents and Principals of the American Schools for the Deaf until it changed the name to the Conference of Executives of American Schools for the Deaf in 1931. It is the second oldest professional organization for educators of the deaf in the United States after the Convention of American Instructors of the Deaf which was founded in 1850.

            The purposes of the conference are to promote the management and operation of schools for the deaf; to promote the welfare of the deaf; and to promote the professional growth of teachers of the deaf by establishing and maintaining standards for teachers through certification procedures and approval of teacher training centers.

            The conference holds its general meetings every two years for exchange information among the superintendents and principals in relating the education of the deaf.

 

Scope and Content

 

In 1868, the Conference of Superintendents and Principals was founded in order that the management of  schools for the deaf might be improved.  In 1931 the name was changed to its present title, the Conference of Executives of American Schools for the Deaf.

 

The Conference of Executives collection, which consists of approximately 16,000 pages, dates from 1930-1976.  The bulk of the collection is made up of correspondence between Executives and during those years.  Issues discussed in the correspondence relate directly to the Conference's objectives:

 

            1) to promote the management and operation of schools for the deaf along the broadest and most efficient lines,

 

            2) to further and promote the welfare of the deaf, and,

 

            3) to promote the professional growth of teachers of the deaf by establishing and maintaining standards for teachers through certification procedures and approval of teacher training centers.

 

            The Conference of Executives meets annually in various parts of the United States and Canada.  In odd numbered years, the Conference meets concurrently with the biennial meeting of the American Instructors of the Deaf.

 

In even numbered years, the Conference meets independently of other organization for a five day meeting.  During these five days, comprehensive organizational work is carried out, professional papers are presented and mutual problems in administration are discussed.  Included in the collection are correspondence of executives discussing agendas, preparation and scheduling of meetings, topics to be addressed, etc.  Also included are the minutes from these regular meetings.

 

In 1931, the Conference of Executives began a program of teacher certification designed to improve the qualifications of teachers of the deaf throughout the U.S. and Canada.  This program establishes minimum standards of preparation and experience which teachers must attain before granted certification by the Conference.

 

            Along with the certification of teachers, the Conference has organized and promoted a program for improving and training teachers for the deaf.  Training centers with college or university affiliations have teacher preparation curricula which meet standards approved by the Conference of Executives of American Schools for the Deaf.  Among the Conference's papers are correspondence between executives addressing the issue of establishing training centers as well as the establishment of higher standards in accreditation programs.

 

The American Annals of the Deaf is the official journal of the Conference of Executives and of the American Instructors of the Deaf.  Articles accepted for publication cover topics on research in all areas of deafness; medical, educational, psychological, social, as well as vocational rehabilitation, teaching methods, communication and subjects of interest to professionals. 

 

Correspondence related to articles to be published, topics of interest and scheduling and dissemination of the Annals are included in the collection. In order to accomplish its goals, the Conference of Executives has established various committees.  Some of the committees, whose correspondence as well as minutes and reports, can be found in this collection are: Parent Education, Public Relations, Teacher Training, Vocational Education, Statistics, Legislation, Captioned Films, and Centennial.

 

In 1968, the Conference of Executives celebrated their 100 year anniversary.  The celebration was held at Gallaudet College April 28-May 3.  Banquet programs, photographs of highlights and momentous can also be found in this collection.

 

Correspondence from the following people can be found in this collection: Dr. Edmund Boatner, Dr. Richard Brill, Dr. Daniel Cloud, Dr. Powrie Doctor, Lloyd Harrison, Marshall Hester, Ben Hoffmeyer, George Pratt, Howard Quigley, Hugo Schunhoff, Roy Stelle, and Edward Tillinghast.

 

Series Descriptions and Folder Lists

No Series.

 

Box

Folder

Title of Folder

Date

1

1

13th Meeting

1958

1

2

15th Meeting

1930

1

3

28th Meeting

1956

1

4

29th Meeting

1957

1

5

34th Meeting

1962

1

6

39th Meeting

1967

1

7

40th Meeting

1968

2

1

Accreditation Committee Hugo F. Schunhoff President

1961-1966

2

2

American Annals of the Deaf Official Organization of Conference of Executive of American School for the Deaf              

1954-1955

2

3

Annals  Committee

1963-1966

2

4

Associate Members   

1963-1964

3

1

Associate Members 

1965-1966

3

2

Boatner's Committee on English Paper

1960-1962

3

3

Captioned Film Program

1958-1962

3

4

Certificates of Merit  

1960-1963

3

5

Change of name of Convention of American Instructors of the Deaf

1955-1961

3

6

Committee on teacher training & Certification

1954,1957-1958

3

7

Committee on teacher training & Certification

1959-1960

3

8

Conference Income tax  

1959-1960

4

1

Conference Meeting Austin

1958, 1960-1962

4

2

Conference Membership      

1960-1962

4

3

Conference Newsletter (Incomplete)

1958-1966

4

4

Conference of American Executives - Accreditation Committee

1957-1963

4

5

Conference of American Executives - Annals Correspondence

1957-1958

4

6

Conference of American Executives - Annals Correspondence

1959

5

1

Conference of American Executives - Annals Correspondence

1960, 1962-1963

5

2

Conference of Executives -  '78-88 

1960-1964

5

3

Conference of Executives - Executive Committee

1957-1958

5

4

Conference of Executives - Executive Committee

1959

6

1

Conference of Executives - Executive Committee

1960-1961

6

2

Conference of Executives - Executive Committee    

1962-1963

7

1

Conference of Executives - Incorporation

1957-1959

7

2

Conference of Executives - Interagency Committee

1957-1960

7

3

Conference of Executives on Membership  

1957-1962

7

4

Conference of Executives -  Minutes

1947

7

5

Conference of Executives -  Northampton meeting 

1957-1958

7

6

Conference of Executives -  Program Committee       

1956-1959

7

7

Conference Transfer File

1953-1954

7

8

Constitution By-Laws, Act of Incorporation

1948

8

1

Copies of Letters written to Lloyd and Ewing 

1957-1958   

8

2

Correspondence   

1944    

8

3

Correspondence        

1946-1948

8

4

Correspondence    Harrison & Schunhoff

1955-1957

8

5

Council, C.E.D.         

1964-1966

8

6

Council for the Education of the Deaf

1959-1960

8

7

Council of National Organizations on Children and Youth

1961-1963

9

1

Deaf/Blind Committee

1963-1966

9

2

Dorm Counselors       

1963-1966

9

3

Evanston Agenda 

1960

9

4

Executives Committee 

1963-1965

9

5

Executives Committee       

1966

9

6

Executives Committee Minutes

1957-1966   

10

1

Flint Meeting

1965

10

2

Form letter

n.d.

10

3

General Committee 

1963-1966

10

4

General Correspondence

1957-1958

10

5

General Correspondence

1959-1960

11

1

Hearing Report  

1976

11

2

History of C.E.A.S.D.

n.d.

11

3

Honorary Members

1964-1968

11

4

Hot Springs

1965-1966

11

5

Interagency Committee

1964-1966

12

1

Information for Parents of Deaf Children

1957-1959

12

2

International Congress on the Educational Treatment of Deafness

1957-1958

12

3

Joint Committee on Audiology

1962-1965

12

4

Joint Committee on Audiology

1966

12

5

Legislation 

1962-1963

12

6

Maps, Calendar of Events

1967-1968

12

7

Membership Correspondence

1964-1966

12

8

Minutes of Meetings by Secretary Treasurer's report

1960-1961

13

1

Miscellaneous 1

n.d.

13

2

Miscellaneous 2

n.d.

13

3

Miscellaneous 3

n.d.

13

4

Miscellaneous 4

n.d.

14

1

Miscellaneous

n.d.

14

2

National Institutes of Health

1964

14

3

National Organization on Children and Youth

1958-1960

14

4

News clipping

1944-1945

14

5

Northwestern meeting

1960

14

6

Parent Education

1963-1964

14

7

Photographs - Centennial Meeting

1868-1968

14

8

Programs - Centennial Meeting

1968

14

9

Program Statistics

1963-1964

14

10

Public Relations 

1963-1965

14

11

Regional Trade Schools

1963

15

1

Research

1963-1966

15

2

Resolutions                                                     

1960-1961, 1963-1965

15

3

Riverside Meeting

1963-1964

15

4

Senate Joint Resolution 127

1959-1960

15

5

Senate Joint Resolution 127

1961-1963

15

6

Social Security

1961,1963

16

1

Teacher Training and Certification Committee

1963-1964

16

2

Teacher Training and Certification Committee

1965-1966

16

3

Treasurer's Reports & Correspondence

1963-1966

16

4

U.S. Department of Health, Education & Welfare - Correspondence

1965-1966

16

5

U.S. Senate Committee

1963-1966

16

6

Visual Aid Committee

1961-1962

16

7

Vocational Education

1963-1966