Suggests sources which can guide schools in evaluating textbooks. (MKM)

Discusses the problems of textbook and anthology preparation, such as accessibility and the institutionalization of composition, reviewer responses, and student attitudes. (PRA)

For nearly 2 years, opponents of California's curriculum reform movement have been protesting a series of K-8 social studies textbooks officially adopted by the state board of education and widely endorsed by teachers, administrators, school boards, and community groups. This article explains that the Houghton Mifflin series is neither racist nor…

Traces the historical development of the authority of grammar handbooks and their current status as monitors of language. Focuses on the evidence that English speakers use the "singular they" and the "generic he." Interprets current handbooks in terms of their social roles and political constructions. (HB)

Analyzes the content of South African history text books from the primary level upwards and from the 1980s to the most recent publications. The considerable changes in the content of these books seem to be based on two different theoretical models: the multicultural model and the notion of the universality of humanity. (Contains 40 references.)…

This paper suggests ways in which to look at textbooks in terms of how they socially construct students with disabilities who receive special education services. Although students with developmental disabilities were not included in most of these texts, the treatment of students with mild disabilities revealed varied attitudes towards disability.…

In this paper, the subject of bias in historical materials is examined. Three articles and two reviews are presented. The articles are: (1) "How Multicultural Educational Materials Affect Children," by Neil J. Kressel and James W. Loewen; (2) "Pluralist History and Public Relations History," by James W. Loewen; and (3) "Televised History and Race…

Criticizes the organization, emphases, scope, and intellectual challenges of basal social studies textbooks widely used in elementary schools. Includes recommendations for improving such textbooks and social studies curricula. (MCG)

Criticizes attitudes and prescriptions of the Council on Interracial Books for Children as expressed in its "Guidelines for Selecting Bias Free Textbooks and Storybooks" and teaching materials developed through Project EMBER (Equity Models for Basal Readers). Holds that the Council holds political biases while purporting to be neutral.…

Textbooks treat Afro-American history with a general unevenness, with little attention to Afro-American thoughts and activities. A theme that runs consistently throughout American history is the exclusion of Afro-Americans from the concept of American "people." There should be a two-pronged approach to examining this theme in the classroom. (AM)

Discusses factors that psychology professors should consider when selecting a textbook for introductory courses. These include readability, human interest level, comprehensiveness, and authoritative accuracy of the material. (RM)

Many corporations and vested interest groups prepare free or inexpensive educational materials for the schools. The authors present guidelines teachers can use to screen such material for objectivity, accuracy, appropriateness, and feasibility. (SJL)

Compares a survey of 1973-77 high school texts with a similar survey conducted in 1963. Concludes that the greatest change in the texts' discussions of abolition has been the elimination of the previous idealization of the southern slave owner as a benevolent proprietor. (Author/GC)

The author examines the 1964 and 1980 editions of a basal reader from the British Ladybird series to see how much change had occurred in sex role presentations. (SJL)

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…