Describes a study which analyzed 10 current and widely used secondary U.S. history textbooks for their coverage of the Vietnam War to determine their accuracy, completeness, and objectivity. Most of the textbooks studied offered a too sketchy account of the Vietnam War. Certain key topics are often neglected. (RM)

Reports the results of a study of 12 recently published U.S. history textbooks' content on the Vietnam War. Concludes that, overall, the textbooks of the mid-1980s provide an improved treatment of the war when compared to earlier books. States that texts still lack depth on the topic, making use of supplementary materials as necessary. (GEA)

Stresses the importance of recognizing bias in written language (often referred to as critical thinking/reading) and suggests activities to help elementary school social studies teachers improve their bias recognition skills. A multiple choice quiz is presented in which teachers are directed to analyze bias in quotations from newspapers and social…

An examination of 19 world and U.S. history textbooks showed that overall, the texts give scant attention to nuclear war and arms limitation. The inclusion of a course in contemporary issues for grade 12 might be one way to help resolve this problem. (RM)

Presents a critical examination of six high school geography textbooks to see how they varied in their treatment of world politics, and comments on the degree of nationalistic bias in each one. Suggestions for teachers are included to help them deal with political concepts and bias in textbooks. (Author/AM)

Stresses the importance of critical reading skills for high school students in social studies courses. Suggests that educators develop social studies materials dealing with critical reading and that they undertake research to develop better methods of instruction in critical reading. (DB)

Evaluates the coverage of the Korean War in 12 high school history textbooks. Lists the books, and reviews the coverage of each in the areas of: total coverage and illustrations; Korean war background; causes of the War; the Truman response; waging the War; the Truman-MacArthur controversy; and the results of the War. (GG)

Examines the treatment of Native Americans in 34 elementary social studies textbooks on the adopted textbook list in Virginia. Explains how ten basic concepts are covered, what evaluative terms are used to describe Native Americans, and how Native Americans are treated in pictures in the texts. (SB)

Evaluates how U.S.-Latin American relations are presented in high school U.S. history textbooks. An examination of 10 textbooks published between 1977-81 revealed inadequate coverage of Latin American cultural diversity and United States foreign policy from the Latin American perspective. (AM)

This examination of the treatment given to peace and security issues in American social studies textbooks begins by summarizing the National Council for the Social Studies (NCSS) Curriculum Guidelines and a 1983 study of high school social studies topic priorities. Following a review of past textbook studies and a brief discussion of textbook…

Discusses the debate over world history survey courses. Examines eight world history textbooks. Compares the treatment of the following topics: Hammurabi's Code, Buddhism, the fall of the Bastille, and the Korean War. Also reviews goals, use of maps, visuals, and skills involving analysis of primary and secondary sources. (RW)

A survey found that secondary U.S. history textbooks provided the most coverage of propaganda and included the largest number of examples for student analysis. Very little coverage of propaganda was found in world geography and world history texts. A few government texts provided excellent coverage, but most gave the subject little attention. (RM)