A study examined the ways that basal readers portrayed the family. It was expected that the readers would give only token representation of both parents working or of one-parent or mixed marriage families, and that very few portrayals of reading or of reading materials would be found. Eight basal readers from 6 publishing companies for grades 1…

Two of the most widely used reading programs in the country, the 1976 Houghton Mifflin Reading Series and the 1976 Ginn Reading 720 Series, are analyzed in this volume to determine the methods they suggest for teaching reading comprehension. Eight sections contain the following information: (1) a short description of some of the surface features…

Six reading textbook series and two standardized reading tests were examined for their uses of 16 syntax structures and the sequential patterns of increasing complexity of syntax structures within each series. Results were as follows: although the series showed overall increases in complexity across the six grades, the increases were not…

Sweden makes great effort to teach every citizen English. However, the simplistic views of language teaching which fad and folklore promote have made it difficult to achieve cumulative, verifiable improvements in teaching. This report briefly reviews previous systems of quantitative, partially automated analysis of language teaching materials…

Systematically determines the current status of the introductory small group communication course at American colleges and universities. Examines specific content areas being taught, pedagogical approaches used, and teaching problems encountered to identify current curricular trends in teaching the course, charting subsequent course modification,…

Analyzes two eighth-grade history and geography textbooks for multicultural content. Presents and follows the guidelines established in the "California History Social Science Framework." Discusses the texts' coverage of African Americans, American Indians, Hispanics, Asian Americans, and immigrants from Europe. Evaluates visual…

Describes a two-part study involving 125 minority female students, 14 faculty members and 35 textbooks that explored the kinds of images minority students found in their textbooks. Results indicated that the exclusion, omission, or misrepresentation through images directly impacted student learning as well as student career choices. (Contains 12…

Many have called for reform of the science curriculum to incorporate the process of inquiry: this has been shown to improve student understanding of biological concepts. Laboratory activities provide excellent opportunities to incorporate inquiry in to the curriculum. This study used a modified version of the Laboratory Task Analysis Instrument…

To test whether elementary social studies texts have changed in response to the back-to-basics movement, a content analysis was made of selected basal texts series published between 1969-1972 and reissued between 1979-1982. Quantitative data, anecdotal data, and educational criticism were used to compare eight matched text series for knowledge…

A study investigated the reading achievement and reading interests of eighth graders reading meaningful segments from social studies textbooks. Subjects, 88 eighth-grade students enrolled in the Florida State University Developmental Research School, took several tests and inventories designed to gather data in the areas of capacity, achievement,…

Although the teaching of English at Junior Certificate level in Malawi secondary schools has only recently been introduced, some problems have been created by the introduction of the prescribed textbook, "A New Introduction to English Literature." This report opens with a critical review of the textbook, citing certain irrelevancies in…

Given the assumption that children learn societal values in schools, textbooks and teaching manuals were reviewed to determine their effects on immigrant and minority-group children. The study was limited in three ways: (1) only primary through eighth-grade materials were reviewed; (2) only the immigration period (1880-1920), the post war period…

The York University Biology Achievement Test (YUBAT) and its use in the Metropolitan Toronto (Ontario) schools were examined. YUBAT was compared with the province's grade 13 biology curriculum guideline, and with representative courses and textbooks. This analysis revealed much similarity between the test, courses, and two textbooks used. The…

Because of the large number of vocational agriculture programs in Texas public schools and the large sum expended annually on their curriculum materials, a study was undertaken to determine the suitability of single topic student materials and of state adopted textbooks for both group and individual instructional purposes. From a random sample of…

Topics and issues relating to educational research are presented in the form of separate news sheets or essays. A case study of the merits and deficiencies of Penrose High School's "Whanau House," is included as an example of curriculum innovation. An exploratory study describing expectations of New Zealand teachers demonstrates how…