Presented in this article is a set of guidelines to follow in the selection of a science textbook. Instructions on how to examine textbooks are given. Topics considered are types of experiments, appropriateness of content, definition of concepts, meaningful activities, sequence, reading level, eye appeal, and safety. (SA)

This reference is intended for teachers who are responsible for selecting textbooks for biology or life science courses. The publication provides reviewers with a compilation of 10 biology and 7 life science textbook reviews. Using this document as a resource, teachers can save valuable time by reducing the number of books they review and pilot…

This article reports a study of decision-making processes for selecting instructional materials. The project had two aims: (1) to survey research findings and practices of decision-making processes in instructional material selection in the United States and Australia; and (2) to identify the attributes of decision-making processes used to select…

In 1985, California launched a 2-year curriculum reform initiative in history and social science that could eventually bring new standards of learning in these areas. Professional studies and student surveys relate a common message: a more extensive, literature-based, issue and idea-oriented curriculum, and better teaching methods would increase…

This booklet shows teachers and administrators how their school districts can use the Reading Authority List of the Reading Information System I (I-RIS), an analytic process for making decisions about language arts curriculum materials. Following an outline of I-RIS, pages of the Reading Authority List are accompanied by guidelines for using the…

This paper gives a brief history of the Reverend Jerry Falwell's Moral Majority campaign against humanism in public school education. The document describes the successful textbook evaluation strategies of Mel and Norma Gabler of Texas, on which Dr. Falwell relies heavily, and lists 20 organizations protesting textbooks, library books, and…

This publication, produced quarterly, is intended to focus on subjects of interest to public school science teachers. In this issue, contributed articles deal with textbook adoption practices, the declining interest in science fairs, and accountability in biology education. In addition, science activities for elementary through high school use are…

The purpose of this unit of work is to provide the teacher participant with some useful guidelines for evaluating and adapting written materials for specific English as a second language (ESL) classes. There is pre- and post-assessment of specific learning tasks relevant to evaluating and adapting materials as well as learning activities, which…

The purpose of this book is to chart procedures for the selection and purchase of instructional materials and related services for the public schools. Recent developments cited as having a significant bearing on the selection process are (1) the struggle of minority groups toward new status; (2) the increased political power of parents, students,…

Vocational agriculture teachers can assist the poor reader by matching the reading ability of the student with the reading level of the textbook or reference. There are a variety of methods for rating the reading level of printed subject matter, and through their use teaching effectiveness can be increased. (LRA)

Argues that, as a matter of constitutional law, public school boards of education do not possess unrestricted authority to exclude material from the curriculum on the basis of ideological content, and explores the rights of students and parents to challenge such exclusions. Available from Harvard Civil Rights-Civil Liberties Law Review, Harvard…

Traces the changes in the visuals used in U.S. history textbooks since the 1900s, concentrating on contemporary texts. Provides questions educators can use in assessing the educational value of textbook visuals. Critiques current textbook visuals, and suggests ways that they enhance understanding of educational information. (RW)

The process of determining textbook content and selecting textbooks for classroom use in public schools throughout America is highly political and raises many fundamental questions about the relationship between education as a social enterprise and other aspects of society--economic, ideological, political, and legal. This study focuses on three…

The 66 school censorship cases reported between 1976 and 1978 (it is estimated that only one censorship case in 25 is ever reported) do not really reveal clearcut regional patterns, but they reflect individual and selective group pressures against profanity, blasphemy, un-Christian thoughts, indecency (sexually explicit language and nude…

Presented is a list of textbooks officially adopted for use in Oregon public schools for the period 1971-1977 in business education, driver education, foreign languages, health, mathematics, and science. Section I provides suggestions to school administrators on textbook selection. Topics discussed include selecting a variety of partial sets of…