The Raygor Readability Estimate, described in this article, is much like the widely used Fry Readability Graph, except that it determines vocabulary difficulty by counting words of six or more letters, rather than by counting syllables. An evaluation found that Raygor was faster and easier to use and more objective than the Fry method. (RM)

Discusses why teachers must help to review and/or select textbooks on a regular basis and how they can participate in this process. A slightly revised edition of the criteria used by the State of Michigan Social Studies Review Steering Committee illustrates critical factors that must be considered in evaluating textbooks. (SR)

Provides British elementary and middle grade teachers with guidelines for teaching about minorities, as well as for judging and taking action on bias in school books. (Editor/SJL)

Describes how to use a readability graph to determine the reading level of Biology textbooks. (MA)

Presents a checklist developed by the International Reading Association's Committee for Basic Education and Reading, which is designed to help teachers select materials to meet the special needs and interests of adult basic education learners and to make objective judgments based on a clear evaluation process. (MKM)

Provides a checklist to aid the elementary and secondary educator in selecting a social studies textbook or curriculum package. The three-page checklist considers the textbook's philosophy and objectives, instructional materials, teacher's manual, supplementary materials, and administrative concerns. (KC)

A survey of 62 college and university faculty determined that 77 different textbooks are being used in courses designed for teachers of the gifted. For textbooks most frequently used, information is provided about the textbook content, course levels used for, and basis for selection. (Author/JDD)

Mathematics textbooks are difficult for learning disabled students to read. Specific and general reading skills are discussed, followed by research findings on mathematics textbooks in terms of content, text structure, page format, vocabulary, and visual symbols. (MNS)

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…

Presents ideas and activities to be used in a course on the history and systems of psychology. Explains that the students prepared topic summaries to demonstrate knowledge rather that formal testing. Describes projects such as a reaction journal, intellectual genealogy, textbook comparison, and multiple timelines. (DK)

Noting that readability formulas are strictly text-based and therefore do not reflect the interactive nature of the reading process, this paper argues that many of the instructional material evaluations for which such formulas are used are inappropriate and offers more reader-based alternatives to the use of formulas. The first half of the paper…

This article presents a survey of textbooks for second-year college Spanish courses published in the last ten years. (CFM)

Looks at English handbooks and rhetoric texts and notes shortcomings in their treatment of research papers. Offers several remedies. (FL)

Describes the prevelance of sexist attitudes in modern language textbooks with many examples from dialogs and grammar exercises. Offers suggestions for combatting sex stereotyping. (EKN)

Criteria to serve as a basis for intelligent review and selection of books and materials for use in schools include: the nature of the learner; program gestalt; "teachability" of the material; determination of in-school use; content appropriateness; disposition of teacher, student, and parent; availability; physical format; cost; and…