Provides British elementary and middle grade teachers with guidelines for teaching about minorities, as well as for judging and taking action on bias in school books. (Editor/SJL)

Suggestions for writing nonsexist textbooks are discussed. An analysis of problems in textbooks for grades 3-6 is then presented, indicating that the books are nonsexist but not antisexist. (MNS)

An analysis of 50 textbooks used in the elementary schools of the former Belgian Congo reveals an overt attempt to propagate colonial ideology. Fundamental themes included the legitimacy of the colonization, denigration of the indigenous culture, and establishment of colonial authority. Three books, however, resisted this indoctrination and one…

Many feel that textbooks dominate what students learn. They set the curriculum and often the facts learned in most subjects. For many students, textbooks are their first and sometimes only early exposure to books and to reading. The public regards textbooks as authoritative, accurate and necessary and many teachers rely on them to organize lessons…

Examines whether elementary textbooks enhance a socially active mathematics education program. Reports that young females and minorities are adequately portrayed in five mathematics textbook series; representation of careers, however, is less than adequate. Sixteen references are listed. (YP)

Reports on a review of nine elementary social studies textbooks for their treatment of African-American history and culture. Finds that the West African origins and culture of African Americans is largely ignored. Determines that textbooks present a biased and incomplete picture of slavery in early U.S. history. (CFR)

This study is based on the premise that research on science textbook content has not specifically dealt with patterned class and grade level differences in how the organization of the content orients students to the cognitive and personality characteristics identified as precursors to scientific careers. The investigation analyzed the effects of…

Reviews research about racial, ethnic, and sexual stereotypes in elementary science textbooks. Describes the demographics of the United States population as of 1980. Compares these demographics to representations in textbooks. Recommends three corrections that need to be made if schools are to attend to the social message in curricular materials.…

Studies the editing process involving gender-related editorial decisions in the development of instructional materials for elementary art education. Explores sociolinguistic theory and concepts supporting the use of unbiased language. Provides examples of text revision, including rationale behind editorial choices. (KM)

Examines six elementary social studies textbook series for the absence or presence of multicultural perspectives. Identifies Houghton Mifflin and Macmillan as opposite ends of the spectrum. Houghton Mifflin displayed a global-humanistic perspective while Macmillan favored a nationalistic, exclusionary approach. Includes examples from both. (MJP)

Summarizes consensus points reached by three university professors and three elementary school teachers who examined the Silver Burdett Ginn elementary textbook series. Explains the study's methodology. Finds textbooks constrained by the expanding environments framework, limited in multicultural coverage, and inadequate in developing themes around…

This handbook explores ways of creating unbiased educational experiences for students in non-stereotyped learning environments for kindergarten to grade 4. An examination is made of the sexual, racial, and cultural biases displayed by textbooks and curricula currently in use, with suggestions offered on how to present these materials in an…

Designed to be used with the sound-color filmstrip "Reconstruction: The Promise and Betrayal of Democracy," these learning activities are intended to help students in grades 5-9 develop critical thinking about how their textbook presents the Reconstruction Era. The activities focus on many ideas. Some of the focusing ideas presented are…