Do social studies textbooks used in U.S. schools provide an unbiased view of other cultures? This research study analyzes five social studies textbook series and 26 children's literature books used as supplementary materials for teaching about Oriental cultures. The instrument used was the Evaluation Coefficient Analysis (ECA) with the focus on…

The Computer-Assisted Instruction Study Management System (CAISMS) was developed and implemented on the PLATO system to monitor and guide student study of text materials. It administers assignments, gives quizzes, and automatically keeps track of a student's progress. This report describes CAISMS and several hypothetical implementations of CAISMS…

Focusing on what authors can do to facilitate learning from content area textbooks, this report labels authors as "considerate," providing text that readers can understand with a minimum of cognitive effort, or as "inconsiderate," creating text that requires a conscientious, highly skilled effort if readers are to comprehend…

The sentences in two first grade basal readers were categorized using Joan Tough's language function classification system to determine whether lower level basal readers allowed children to use their knowledge of language functions in reading. The range of language functions and language uses in the basals was compared to those that Tough found in…

This study examined the portrayal of women in current U.S. history textbooks which are used in the classroom. Among the questions explored were the following: who among outstanding women is or is not noted, what topics are covered or omitted, how are average women of selected eras treated, and how are women who fought for currently controversial…

The purpose of this study was to produce a list of materials for metric instruction in the elementary school. The Charles H. Taylor School in Boston was used as a laboratory for the collection, study, and evaluation of published metric materials. Problems inherent in the introduction of the metric system in four dissimilar elementary schools were…

The two studies which received the 1975 Robert E. Slaughter Research Award in Business and Office Education are summarized in the document. The first paper, entitled "Effectiveness of Model Office, Cooperative Office Education, and Office Procedures Courses Based on Employee Satisfaction and Satisfactoriness Eighteen Months After…

A survey found that secondary U.S. history textbooks provided the most coverage of propaganda and included the largest number of examples for student analysis. Very little coverage of propaganda was found in world geography and world history texts. A few government texts provided excellent coverage, but most gave the subject little attention. (RM)

Reviews results of a survey of reading/study skills texts for college developmental reading courses. Offers survey-based recommendations for selection of texts. (FL)

A study followed up and elaborated upon the college textbook section of Glenn S. Pate's (1987) study of "The Holocaust in American Textbooks." After surveying elementary, high school, and some college textbooks to determine both the extent and the nature of their Holocaust coverage, Pate concluded that across the educational spectrum…

Georgia state history textbooks published from 1917 to 1982 were analyzed to determine how they interpreted the Reconstruction Era. A traditional interpretation, a pro-Southern viewpoint, was used in textbooks until the 1960s. Since then, the most widely adopted texts have taken a revisionist perspective--a more neutral point of view. (IS)

Pejorative terms, biased or incomplete maps and illustrations, outdated bibliographies, and narrow or missing coverage characterize the treatment of Native Americans in the latest editions of three leading textbooks used in college level American history survey courses. (SB)

Reports on a content analysis of four popular first-grade basal series, examining decoding and comprehension instruction in teachers' manuals, student texts, workbooks, and supplementary activity packages. Reports that none of the programs present a balanced approach to teaching decoding and comprehension with very comprehensible stories. (MM)

Discusses coverage of Mexican history and Mexican Americans in 10 U.S. history textbooks approved for use in Texas. Criticizes the lack of complete information, ethnocentricity, and failure to present the Mexican point of view. Argues that U.S. history courses should cover topics of Mexican history, including Spanish colonialism, the Texas…

Reports a content analysis of 27 current textbooks in introductory psychology and 12 for human development courses. Representation of work, theory, and behavior of males continues significantly to exceed the representation of females; and females are frequently portrayed in negative and gender-biased ways. (SLD)