The Southern California Social Science Association Records documents the functions of the SCSSA through board meeting minutes, budget and financial records, by-laws, conference agendas, and newsletters. The collection dates from 1935, with the bulk of material covering the 1950s, 1960s and 1970s. The documents illustrate the SCSSA's primary activities, including organizing state and local conferences and workshops, and disseminating information to its membership through newsletters. The collection also contains records of the California Council for the Social Studies including board meeting notes, conference planning materials, statements, newsletters, conference books, curriculum guidelines and standards, membership statistics, newsletters, and a 1935 description of a classroom. The collection is divided into three series: Southern California Social Science Association (1925, 1936-1976), California Council for the Social Studies Administration (1961-1976), and National Council for the Social Studies (1935, 1962-1973).

Series I, Southern California Social Science Association, contains the administrative records of SCSSA, including agendas, banquet plans, board meeting minutes, budgets, by-laws, calendars, conference material, financial reports, newsletters and treasurer's reports. The files are arranged in alphabetical order by record type.

Series II, California Council for the Social Studies Administration, consists of documents from the CCSS, including announcements, board meeting notes, conference material, fundamental beliefs statement, newsletters and the annual conference journal Social Science Notes. The files are arranged alphabetically.

Series III, National Council for the Social Studies, contains material from the NCSS, including conference books, curriculum guidelines and standards, directories, membership statistics, newsletters and a presidential address. The series also contains the publication Rugg Course in the Classroom. The files are arranged alphabetically.