Reviewed are 14 recent programs, texts, supplements, kits, and teacher references in reading, writing, and language skills, including the "Passport Series," a literature/composition program for grades 9-12, and "The Amazing Adventures of Harvey Crumbaker," a supplementary program for improving basic competency skills in secondary students.…

Presents an evaluation of a new edition of the Science Curriculum Improvement Study--American Science and Engineering's SCIS II--with a chart comparing it to Rand McNally's SCIIS and the original SCIS program. Also evaluated are three secondary series or kits, including "Holt Life Science/Earth Science/Physical Science." (SJL)

The purpose of this study was to analyze three aspects of minority representation in selected second- and third-grade readers: diversity, settings, and involvement. Textbook evaluators were male and female urban and rural elementary school teachers (Asian Americans, Blacks, Hispanics, and Native Americans). (EF)

The linguistic complexity of grammatical structures depends on their usage. Such complexity must be purposefully controlled by the teacher of English as a second language. Examples of shortcomings in the presentation of various structures in current textbooks illustrate this point. (PMJ)

Ninety-three secondary school biology textbooks, identified in the appendix bibliography, were analyzed to determine the extent of emphasis of 44 topics concerned with the study of evolution. (HM)

Maintains that all too often learning activities in K-3 social studies textbooks exhibit a tendency towards "busywork" and lack any real educational objective. Lists several of these activities and includes corrective measures that render them more productive. Includes a table of guidelines for teachers using social studies textbooks.…

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)

A review of articles, research studies, and textbooks on school finance and the economics of education in the 1980s is presented. General issues discussed include theoretical concepts, fund raising and fund distribution alternatives, and promotion of educational equity and efficiency through resource allocation. (TJH)

Examines whether elementary textbooks enhance a socially active mathematics education program. Reports that young females and minorities are adequately portrayed in five mathematics textbook series; representation of careers, however, is less than adequate. Sixteen references are listed. (YP)

Reviews the problem of certain logical and conceptual shortcomings in textbook presentations of the energy concepts in introductory physics. Discusses concepts and principles related to thermodynamics and echanics. Provides many formulas and diagrams. (YP)

Reports on misconceptions held by intermediate grade students concerning chemistry textbook concepts, on the relation of reasoning ability to those misconceptions, and on the extent that textbooks encourage misconceptions. Concludes that the level of understanding displayed for the selected concepts, in combination with the nature of students'…

Analyzes society and social ideals portrayed in 94 elementary-level textbooks in British Columbia. Identifies prominent themes under four headings: technology and consumerism; the personal world of children; what it means to be Canadian; and morality and religion. Concludes that authors encourage conformity rather than transformation of society.…

The objectives of this study were to develop a method for scoring the level of abstraction (LOA) of science reading material and explore its relationship with other methods for assessing curriculum materials. LOA is defined as the ratio of the nonconcrete concepts to the total number of concepts in a written passage expressed as a percent.…

Considers topics about cell function often misunderstood, misrepresented, or omitted from biology textbooks: enzyme catalyzed reactions; RNA as a catalyst; protein levels in cells; amino acids; organic acids; glucose and fructose; gluconeogenesis; fatty acids and ketone bodies; diffusion; and transport across membranes. (Contains 25 references.)…

A study evaluated 10 textbooks related to working with families of students with disabilities that may be used in special-education teacher-preparation programs. Results indicate variability among the textbooks regarding the representation of culturally diverse populations and fluctuation in cultural-diversity content across textbooks. (Author/CR)