A history of the search for the structure of DNA, as revealed in the evolution of biochemistry and genetics textbooks, reveals that they are unacceptably tardy in presenting the current (or even the recent) state of knowledge. This problem places an extra burden on biology teachers to supplement these texts.

Though the field of physics is moving toward more realistic problems and the use of computers and mathematical modeling to promote insightful treatment of physical problems, artificial problems still appear in textbooks in the field of electrostatics. Discusses physical arguments why one of the most popular textbook applications of Coulomb's Law…

A symposium that focused on the education of chemistry teachers in China at predominately the middle and high school levels is discussed. The topics of curriculum and textbook reforms, instructional uses of modern technology, science-technology-society, collaborative efforts with educational psychologists, hands-on laboratory work, and the…

This issue presents a collection of articles which critique the educational reforms in science and mathematics initiated in 1983. The articles devote special attention to physics, biology, mathematics, geography, and the instructional problems Soviet teachers encountered in presenting the new curricula. (JDH)

Provides a brief introduction to ways functional grammatical concepts can be used to understand the distinctive literacy demands of school science and history texts. Distinguishes this grammar from that of everyday language; examines the characteristic grammatical and discourse forms of content area learning; and discusses developing functional…

California's Board of Education recently rejected all of the more than 20 seventh- and eighth-grade science textbooks submitted to it because the books' publishers had "watered down" the treatment of evolution. Rationale for the board's decision and implications for publishing (such as revising the textbooks) are addressed. (JN)

For most students textbooks are the main source of their information about scientific concepts; however, there are a number of errors which frequently appear in textbooks and are consequently transmitted to both teachers and students. Some of these errors which may represent widespread misconceptions of teachers are outlined. (Author)