History and geography textbooks used in secondary grades in the Soviet Union and in the United States are being examined by scholars in both countries for factual errors and ideological distortions which influence how one nation perceives the other. A joint report, with suggestions for improvements, is scheduled for 1980. (MF)

Information from a small survey of physics textbooks suggests that girls are underrepresented in the text and in illustrations. Suggests that if the pattern is apparent in all physics textbooks, then this may be an indication of the cause of a paucity of girls in the physical sciences. (SA)

A study of 139 textbooks written over the last 40 years. Recent texts are found to give more coverage to the psychology of later life, and many seek to present a positive image of aging and older adults. These treatments, however, often contain material that perpetuates stereotypes. (EVL)

Suggests that films, television, and textbooks have misrepresented American history. Focuses on the author's struggles in writing two novels about the American Old West. Argues that the role of historical fiction is not to impress moral values, but rather to contemplate the central humanity of each character. (SG)

Argues that the present methods of analysis such as pluralism, elitism, and institutionalism are insufficient paradigms to accurately discuss questions of vital concern to American Indian tribes. A study of 40 political science texts found only one considered to be adequate in describing Indian concerns. (GG)

Examines form and content of American Indian authored selections in South Carolina's high school literature anthologies. Results show only 36 percent are contemporary. The sample of traditional genres lacks balanced representation and does not reflect regional distribution of American Indians. Development of evaluative criteria specific to…

Reviews research related to textbook development and provision in developing nations. Stresses the importance of increased access to textbooks as a cost-effective means for improving educational quality. Examines four policy options for textbook development in developing countries: adoption, adaptation, government publication, and international…

Critiqued is the way that mathematics texts contribute to the categorization of students into ability levels by gender and social class within the British educational system. Examples of gender bias and social-status bias are cited from texts of the School Mathematics Project series. (MDH)

Reports on a pilot survey of the authors of three sets of textbooks used in Australia and Canada, which have previously been shown to include a relatively high proportion of Indigenous and other minority groups' knowledges, cultures and sciences. Explores issues of voice and power in the production of textbooks. (MM)

Answers a critique of the historical accuracy of the author's previous work. Argues that all science stories provide a source of material for analysis and synthesis of the nature of the scientific enterprise. (WRM)

Reviews whether textbook publishers have put the "world" in world history textbooks by comparing the editions of four different world history textbooks over 25 years. Evaluates 10 current editions of world history textbooks. Offers questions to consider and discusses additional content concerns. Includes charts and references of the reviewed…

The author frequently teaches introductory courses in what was once generally called "Western Civilization" and has often been called upon to referee all or parts of the manuscripts of new editions of "Western Civ" textbooks. Through his own reading, he has become aware that much current scholarship on ancient Israel and Judah…

Discusses "Mozert v. Hawkins County Public Schools" (Tennessee), a case involving a controversial reading textbook offending fundamentalist parents of six middle school children. The Court of Appeals reversed a district court ruling, holding that uniform use of the Holt textbook was not essential to the state's goals to teach reading.…

An analysis of 12 secondary economics textbooks revealed that the economic issues of poverty, unemployment, and labor as they relate to Blacks and Hispanics are often ignored. Economics texts would be greatly improved if critical work led to the inclusion of even such rudimentary information as race-specific employment data. (RM)

Most elementary teachers are inadequately prepared to teach about the Middle East. The situation is exacerbated by the fact that elementary texts dehumanize Middle Eastern peoples by reducing them to mere caricatures. Needed are the involvement of Middle Eastern studies experts in writing textbooks and the improvement of teacher's manuals. (RM)