Frances L. Kidwell, EdD

Education

Ed.D., University of Southern California - Educational Leadership/Curriculum (2005)

M.A., California State University, Chico - History (2001)

B.S., Oakland University, Rochester, MI - Human Resources Development/Education (1974)

Teaching and Research Interests

Frances L. Kidwell, Ed.D, is a CSU, Chico Instructor, a University Supervisor and an Education Consultant/Curriculum Specialist in civic education, social studies, literacy, cognitive development, and administration. Dr. Kidwell served in public education for over 30 years and most recently has retired as the Assistant Superintendent of Curriculum & Instruction at the Trinity County Office of Education in Weaverville, California. She received her doctorate degree from the University of Southern California in Educational Leadership and holds a Master’s Degree in History from California State University, Chico. Dr. Kidwell has taught at all grade levels in the public school system, including twelve years at the secondary level. She holds single subject credentials in History-Social Science, English-Language Arts, Home Economics, and Art as well as a Multiple Subjects (K-8) credential and a California Administrative Services Credential. She is a past President of California Council for the Social Studies, a past president of the National Social Studies Supervisors Association (NSSSA), an active member of the National Council for the Social Studies (NCSS), and served as an accreditation chair for the Western Accreditation of Schools and Colleges (WASC) for many years.

Dr. Kidwell serves currently on the Board of Directors of the California Council for the Social Studies and on the KIXE public television board for northern California. She has chaired numerous national and state committees and projects including Chair of the state History-Social Science subcommittee of the Curriculum and Instruction Steering Committee (CISC) and as Project Director for the development team of the California Golden State Exam in U.S. History and Government for the California Department of Education. She has worked with and many state and national non-profit and professional organizations. She was recently selected as a grant reviewer by the U.S. Dept. of Education in the Race to the Top initiative. She is currently a member of the Leadership Advisory Committee of the California Campaign for the Civic Mission of Schools and the California Task Force for Civic Learning.

Frances Kidwell has authored numerous articles and papers. She has written and administered grants as well as developed and facilitated projects in civic education, 21st century skills, school improvement efforts, curriculum development, assessment, project-based learning, and rural education. She is the author of Appendix B of the Draft California History-Social Science Framework (2010) on civic education. In all of her efforts, student success, student engagement, and academic growth has been the driving force for her work and her life-long learning goals.

Curriculum Vitae

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