The purpose of this study was to quantitatively analyze the Latin American content of contemporary world geography textbooks published for United States secondary schools. A preliminary review of the literature indicated that Latin America was generally omitted from world geography texts, Central America was given minimal attention, and…

The components presented in this document are general and specific recommendations for improving instruction about the Constitution, including revised versions of the seven conference papers. The papers are: "Society's Expectations for School Instruction about the Constitution: An Historical Overview" (R. Freeman Butts); "What Youth…

Reports on the treatment of Hispanic women in six college introductory sociology textbooks. Finds that the depiction, although well intentioned, is distorted. Employing a feminist interpretive analysis, asserts the need for revision of sociology texts to avoid four problematic presentation strategies. (CFR)

Asserts that student attitudes toward history textbooks are important because the perceptions may affect how much or how well they learn. Describes how 17 11th-grade U.S. history students evaluated their textbook. Found that 71% of the students perceived the book to be a presentation of knowledge. (CFR)

Reports on the treatment of the Progressive Era of U.S. history in eight college-level introductory history textbooks. Finds that text authors are divided into two groups: the "unitarians," who portray the progressives as a homogeneous, purposeful phenomenon; and the "pluralists," who focus on Progressivism's varieties,…

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.…

An analysis of 50 textbooks used in the elementary schools of the former Belgian Congo reveals an overt attempt to propagate colonial ideology. Fundamental themes included the legitimacy of the colonization, denigration of the indigenous culture, and establishment of colonial authority. Three books, however, resisted this indoctrination and one…

Compared were the results of a 1973 study with the results of a similarly analyzed sample of recent textbooks with respect to gender fairness. Illustrations of named and unnamed figures both adult and young were analyzed in seven recent textbooks. (KR)

Examines 25 introductory sociology textbooks to ascertain patterns of race-ethnic coverage. Discovers coverage to be fairly extensive but focused around a limited set of sociological topics (stratification, education, health). Coverage in other areas (age, politics, religion) was significantly lower. Discusses implications for course development…

Profiles the National Women's History Project (NWHP). Since its inception in 1980 this nonprofit, educational organization has produced training and materials designed to increase awareness of the role of women in history and society. These include workshops, videotapes, and bibliographies. Discusses other activities of NWHP. (MJP)

This study is based on the premise that research on science textbook content has not specifically dealt with patterned class and grade level differences in how the organization of the content orients students to the cognitive and personality characteristics identified as precursors to scientific careers. The investigation analyzed the effects of…

Asserts that decisions regarding textbook content China are political and determined by the central government. Reports on a study of 15 elementary and secondary geography textbooks published between 1948 and 1991. Finds that the image of the United States portrayed in these books has changed dramatically. (CFR)

Discusses and criticizes criminal justice's deviation from its roots in sociology and adaptation of a more career-oriented perspective. Maintains that the symbiotic relationship between law enforcement agencies and criminal justice as an academic discipline has corrupted the discipline and inhibited academic inquiry. (MJP)

Reports labor history coverage in seven college-level introductory history courses. Finds that all incorporated some material about unions and offered an interpretation of their effectiveness. Also finds the absence of gender and race as shaping forces in labor history to be the most neglected topic. (CFR)

Reviews research about racial, ethnic, and sexual stereotypes in elementary science textbooks. Describes the demographics of the United States population as of 1980. Compares these demographics to representations in textbooks. Recommends three corrections that need to be made if schools are to attend to the social message in curricular materials.…