This world history review examines standard textbooks used between the sixth and twelfth grades in schools across the nation. These established textbooks dominate the field and set the pitch for new and forthcoming volumes. The 2002 Texas history textbook adoption and the California list have influenced what textbooks will dominate the national…

Discusses the problems involved in textbook publication, stressing the importance of providing a broad-gauged national history in the face of opposition from religious and other special interest groups. Expresses the need for educators and others to form advocacy groups or lobby for improved textbook writing and content. (GEA)

The American Textbook Council identified the nation's leading social studies textbooks based on estimated volume of sales and on adoptions in California, Indiana, North Carolina, Florida, and New York. Three multi-volume elementary-level programs and about a dozen secondary-level history textbooks command the market. The history textbooks at the…

History and government textbooks provide basic sources of information about the United Nations' (UN's) role in international relations, its programs and activities throughout the world, what it stands for, and what it does. The UN embodies a vision of international cooperation that transcends domestic politics and acts as a worldwide foundation of…

How widely adopted world history textbooks cover Islam and the history of the Middle East is a timely and important subject to explore. In 2001 the American Textbook Council began a comprehensive review of middle school and high school world history textbooks. The Council relied on respected historians and standard sources, influential articles…

Responds to and disagrees with Kaltsounis's critique of the author's report "American History Textbooks: An Assessment of Quality." Answers each of Kaltsounis's criticisms, and reiterates several main points from Sewall's report, including recommendations for U.S. history textbook reform. (LS)

This report brings together recent research, analysis, and textbook evaluations to explain what lies behind today's school wars over teaching about religion. It concludes that textbook controversies involving religion are an important part of a large cultural debate. Some of the most divisive and important curriculum issues of current times,…

United States history as a linchpin in the school curriculum and as a potentially exciting, sometimes electrifying, subject was the conviction underlying this analysis of U.S. history textbooks. This assessment investigates the capacity of leading U.S. social studies and history textbooks to inspire the imagination of students through effective…