Discusses the process of state textbook adoption and how this process influences the subject matter that will prevail throughout the country. Elaborates on the Texas textbook adoption system as an example of a statewide selection procedure. (GEA)

Looks at the problems that non-native speaker teachers face in teaching communication in an impoverished educational environment and what happens when attempts are made to change from the structural to the functional syllabus. Defines "minimal communicative methodology" and suggests ways to activate the inert materials in textbooks to…

Explores the assumptions underlying the use of composition textbooks based on nineteenth-century forms and modes of discourse: description, narration, exposition, and argumentation. Presents alternatives to this approach, developed from schema theory and developmental psychology. (HTH)

Controversy has been generated by a right-wing group over the merit of various high school American history textbooks. The author argues that his textbook fits all ethical categories. (JN)

Reports the results of an informal survey of instructors and students of astronomy and authors and editors of astronomy books. Finds that not a single instructor respondent reported being satisfied with the books themselves and not one author or editor reported being satisfied with the market. (DDR)

Teachers' ability to act as full professionals is significantly limited by textbook programs in state and local curricula as well as the use of standardized achievement tests. Curriculum reform and upgrading of teacher professionalism go hand in hand. (SK)

Reprints a biology textbook review that the author asserts to be representative of a review for most biology textbooks. Critiques the role of biology textbooks in the biology curriculum. (MDH)

Political science departments in community colleges have the opportunity to demonstrate the validity of liberal arts courses by helping students become aware of both the forces shaping their lives and their options in public and private decision-making. The first problem the political science instructor faces is materials selection. Although an…

Children should have the same First Amendment rights as adults except when it can be empirically shown that the children in question differ from minimally normal adults in relevant intellectual competencies and would, as a result, be likely to suffer harm if accorded full First Amendment liberties. In this paper, specific principles derived from…

Motivation is a rather persistent problem in guiding students to read well. If a student lacks motivation, a low energy level will be available for learning to read. Through motivation, a learner is encouraged to achieve definite goals in reading. Attention and retention by the student are important in recognizing new words whether the approach is…

Teachers adapt and supplement a basic text to make up for inadequacies and to enrich, reinforce, and emphasize. One authority suggests these steps for adapting materials: assess and evaluate student needs and survey existing materials, decide what should be deleted or added, compile a list of potential uses of language and supply the means by…

The sixth of eight related documents, this booklet is part of a series of papers presented at the 1978 National Right to Read Conference examining issues and problems in literacy. In examining the publisher's role in facilitating literacy, this booklet distinguishes between responsiveness to the express desires of schools and responsibility for…

Examines the recent call for English departments to recognize literature that falls outside the British and American tradition. Suggests that we recognize English as a world language and choose books to teach accordingly. (JC)

Textbooks should be selected to meet the needs of students and teachers. Making "a deal" can, in the long run, lead to textbooks that are more expensive and of poorer quality. Five ways to improve textbook selection are suggested. Some publishers' comments are included. (MLF)

Presents a set of "neutral" language guidelines as a way of pointing out the problems of using language guidelines in the first place. (JL)