New York State Education Department Commissioner's History File

Organized into two subseries: 1. Memoranda, correspondence, press releases and reports; 2. Regents and commissioners statements, position papers, and reports.

Chronological by date written.

The office of Commissioner of Education was established in 1904 by the so-called Unification Act (Chapter 40), which created the Education Department and replaced the Superintendent of Public Instruction and Secretary to the Board of Regents with the Commissioner. Since 1913 the Commissioner has also held the title of President of the University of the State of New York, conferred by the Regents.

Series comprises two subseries of records identified by the Office of Commissioner James E. Allen as historically significant.

The first subseries (1955-1969) consists of copies of memoranda, correspondence, press releases, and reports, most of which were sent by the Commissioner to Education Department administrators and staff members, members of the Board of Regents, local school officials, and state and national legislators. These documents promulgate Education Department policy and information on a variety of topics such as: education-related legislation; Department organization; state aid to schools; Commissioner's travels abroad; curricula; school administration; integration of schools; and Federal aid to education.

The second subseries (1960-1969) consists of Regents' statements and position papers, Commissioner's statements, press releases, published reports, copies of legislation, and clippings relating to many subjects, including: school segregation and integration; New York City school decentralization; private higher education; education-related legislation; and Federal aid to education.

B1506Series B1506, New York State Education Dept. Architectural and Mechanical Drawings of the State Education Building

Folder list of approximate folder titles and dates for first subseries only.

There are no restrictions regarding access to or use of the material.