Describes recent changes in management education in the former Soviet Union. Identifies tendencies that have arisen in educational reform: (1) short-term seminars, courses, and conferences; (2) short-term seminars featuring foreign experts; (3) new permanent educational institutions; and (4) retraining experts in new economic knowledge. Discusses…

In the fall of 1984, the Education Commission of the States (ECS) was awarded a grant from the U.S. Secretary of Education's Discretionary Fund to identify alternative state roles for improving instructional materials in mathematics. To help state leaders define an appropriate and effective role in upgrading these materials, ECS proposed first to…

The California State Board of Education is responsible for adopting textbooks and instructional materials for use in kindergarten through grade eight. The purposes of the instructional materials program are to: (1) establish clear standards for the educational and social content of texbooks and instructional materials; (2) evaluate instructional…

Proposes that textbook publishers and educators collaborate in producing high-quality curriculum materials. Some of the materials would be customized to deal with the students' own environment. Representatives of two large publishing firms disagree and contend that the problem is school boards' unwillingness to pay for quality products. (MLF)

Suggests that more attention be paid by biochemistry textbook authors to the breadth of contemporary learning strategies, given the fact that an increasing number of medical schools have adopted an integrated, self-paced, problem-based curriculum. Discusses the theoretical characteristics desirable in the ideal biochemistry textbook. (JJK)

A series of nine booklets was developed to help members of textbook adoption committees, teacher educators, inservice leaders, and policymakers gather information, develop evaluation guidelines, and organize their findings as they select new reading programs and evaluate existing ones. Each booklet focuses on a specific aspect of instruction.…

Critiques an elementary social studies program by analyzing commercially available curriculum materials. Discusses goals, content selection, organization and sequencing, and explication in the text. Suggests that publishers should (1) shift from content coverage objectives to more general social education purposes; (2) connect information in…

Textbooks should be selected to meet the needs of students and teachers. Making "a deal" can, in the long run, lead to textbooks that are more expensive and of poorer quality. Five ways to improve textbook selection are suggested. Some publishers' comments are included. (MLF)

Social studies textbooks need careful inspection with regard to how they treat ethnicity. Although there have been several studies of possible bias in textbooks, there are methodological concerns that need further deliberation. Content analysis has been called a "technique for systematic inference from communications," and it may be viewed as a…

Examines secondary science textbooks for their interpretation of energy concepts. Discusses some of the confusion created by the use of the "forms of energy" approach. Advocates the use of "energy transfer" terminology. Critically examines examples of common text passages from British textbooks. (CW)

Analyzes the content of chapters on education in 22 introductory sociology textbooks. Argues that the texts focus on the northern industrialized nations to the exclusion of developing nations' educational issues. Suggests that textbook coverage of northern influence, cultural factors, alternative developing nations' educational models, inadequate…

In 1985, People for the American Way released its first review of biology textbooks that was inspired by the ongoing controversy over whether or not (and how) evolution should be taught in public school classrooms. The purpose of this review is to gauge how successful the response of educators and scientists have been at convincing publishers that…

Discusses how rock-cycle diagrams can graphically illustrate the interrelationship between materials and processes in physical geology courses. Reviews nine contemporary physical geology textbooks with regard to their use of such diagrams. (TW)

Presents race concept as an example of how social issues are underemphasized in college science education. Reviews history of the race concept and reports on current status of the concept in textbooks and among college faculty members. Given specific stipulations, proposes continued use of the race concept for some infrahuman species, while…

A survey of 12 leading high school U.S. History textbooks has resulted in the opinion put forth in this book that the textbooks currently used in high schools are an embarrassing amalgam of bland optimism, blind patriotism, and misinformation. In addition to critiquing existing textbooks, the book also suggests how U.S. History should be taught.…