Presents a standard textbook adoption process orchestrated by a textbook selection committee. The committee conducts a needs survey, reviews materials, selects three series finalists, arranges for the publishers of the selected materials to make presentations to the faculty, visits schools using the materials, and makes a final choice. (Author/WD)

Gives a list of guidelines for reading specialists to use in evaluating content area textbooks. (MKM)

Discusses the development of an instrument to be used by elementary teachers in the evaluation of social studies textbooks. The instrument itself is included in the article. (RM)

Reviews the Prentice Hall Literature Series, focusing on: (1) the series' authors and editors; (2) textbook content; and (3) pedagogy suggested in the teacher's guide. (MM)

Presents a point-counterpoint discussion focusing on four issues involved in the positive and negative values of using textbooks: (1) encyclopedic or comprehensive; (2) third-hand sources or efficient compilations; (3) expensive or cost effective; and (4) authors, known and unknown. Suggests that textbook adoption decisions should be based on the…

A study was made of factors that affect the comprehension of technical discourse. Results showed that when no visual was used: (1) the schematic organization enhanced comprehension and (2) students who participated in the activity outperformed those who did not participate. (CT)

Offers guidelines for evaluating basal reading series when two series are to be adopted. (HTH)

Suggestions are made for each step in the process of selecting textbooks to support classroom instruction of hearing-impaired students. Steps include conducting a needs assessment, locating potential materials, defining roles of selection committee members, and developing evaluation criteria. An evaluation form and a timeline for the selection…

This article is designed to help textbook selection committees and personnel make better choices of instructional materials. It outlines the types of information selectors will need about their own districts' curriculum and characteristics and presents a chart for design analysis of this data which can be used in textbook evaluation. (SJL)

Reports the views of several experienced composition teachers regarding composition textbooks in general and their use in computer course sections specifically. (MM)

This review of instructional materials currently used in secondary school remedial reading programs provides rating sheets for magazines, commercially published reading programs, paperback library books, specific skill sets, multimedia materials, workbooks, supplementary materials, and book sets. Each rating sheet analyzes the material's…

Proposes that the Conference on College Composition and Communication organize a task force charged with recommending specific solutions to the problems of textbook reviewing and selection. (MS)

Reviews the strengths of Kenneth Cooper's updated 1984 edition of Carl Becker's MODERN HISTORY. Contends that while other high school history textbooks sell better, that Becker's text does a better job of teaching European history while helping students develop the advanced academic skills needed for higher education. (JDH)

The "skills trace" is a textbook evaluation process by which an evaluator isolates one skill and reads every reference listed in the index of the teacher's manual. The evaluator then observes how that skill is introduced, taught, practiced, and tested throughout the grades. (Author/DCS)

Presents guidelines for use in examining the comprehensibility of a textbook, questions to ask about the book, and suggestions for using the guide questions. (FL)