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1960's

The Sixties

A heated political atmosphere sparked by the Civil Rights Movement, Vietnam War and nationwide race riots characterized the sixties. Both students and employee groups were involved in teach-ins, protests and activism. The Baby Boom Generation brought a dramatic increase to enrollment and the country made significant steps toward diversification in schools.

An emphasis on active student involvement, individualized instruction and updating the education program led to many pilot and experimental programs in San Diego. In an era of increased immigration and changing civil rights, the Board of Education approved approximately 50 intra-district transfer students each fall in an effort to improve racial and ethnic balances. This decade was also characterized by significant changes in educational legislation and the addition of 40 new schools, including 25 new elementary schools.

1960

122,806 students attend 124 district schools, including a junior college, 9 high schools, 1 junior-senior high, 13 junior-highs, 95 elementary schools and 5 adult schools. Enrollment includes 98,123 in Grades K-12.

1961

California's Mentally Gifted Minors legislation passes. San Diego's research and success with its gifted (GATE) program provides the model for much of this legislation.

The 1957 curriculum guide is declared obsolete, and a new version, "A Digest of the Secondary School Curriculum," is adopted and used through 1972.

1962

Plans for a massive Park Boulevard physical education-recreation complex including six sports fields are underway.

1963

President John F. Kennedy is assassinated.

1964

Proposition E passes, providing for an increased property tax election in support of district schools.

1965

The Winton Act passes, providing for deliberation between school boards and unions on all matters relating to employment conditions and employer-employee relations.

1967

The Carlin court case pushes toward greater ethnic balance in San Diego City Schools.

1968

The Bilingual Education Act of 1968 provides federal funding to encourage local school districts to incorporate native-language bilingual instruction.

The Miller Education Act provides greater flexibility for modifying the district's curricular and educational program to meet the needs and abilities of individual students.

The California Teachers Association (CTA) lifts its ban on teacher strikes, enabling the union's teachers to strike.

Martin Luther King, Jr. is slain in Memphis in April.

Robert F. Kennedy is assassinated in June.

1969

Following a vote for sanctions against the district, teachers in the San Diego Teachers Union vote to withdraw voluntary services. The district responds by issuing an "Extra Duty" Guide outlining services required of teachers. In the heated months to follow, a teachers' union "professional day of protest" is narrowly avoided by a restraining order issued by the Superior Court.

1970

The first African-American high school principal in SDCS, Dr. Ernest Hartzog, is appointed to Lincoln High School, following a massive student walkout.

School Openings

Except where noted, all are elementary schools.

  • Francis Mead - name approved by Board 4/21/59; opened for classes 9/12/60

  • Sequoia - name approved by Board 4/21/59; opened for classes 2/15/60