Founded in 1945 by seven Quaker families, Pacific Oaks College originally was a community education center and nursery school. Teacher education grew out of the need to prepare teachers for the college's Children's School.

From its inception, Pacific Oaks College has been committed to diversity and the eradication of bias in all forms. This commitment manifests itself in the energetic recruitment of women and people of color for the faculty and administration. In addition, the principles of the Anti-Bias Curriculum are woven into all courses.

Within this supportive context, the Multiple Subjects Credential Program further focuses the college's commitment to diversity and anti-bias in three areas: curriculum methodology, course content, and field placements. With regard to curriculum methodology, classes are small and experientially based. Preservice students examine their own belief systems and biases, as do faculty. Cooperative learning, as a means to prejudice reduction and academic achievement, is modeled extensively by faculty members.

The course content that permeates the college curriculum is translated into the teacher education curriculum, in which total infusion is the norm. Among the topics addressed are: children's development of gender and racial identity, teaching about disabilities, analyzing instructional materials for bias, principles of second language acquisition, and working with parents.

Finally, for their field placements, preservice students participate in four practica. Two practica take place in the Pacific Oaks Children's School, which reflects in practice the college's anti-bias philosophy. Two practica also take place in the public schools.

The Pacific Oaks Multiple Subject Credential Program is atypical in its historic commitment to diversity and the eradication of bias, and also in its existence within a supportive, collegewide climate. However, the program serves as a shining example of how multicultural education can be infused into every aspect of teacher education.