Discusses investigations into the ability of students to understand their science texts. Outlines some research, both in Jamaica and Australia, which suggests that there is need for teachers to be concerned about the value to students of some of the written materials provided for them. Contains 21 references. (JRH)

One of the key requirements of the Common Core State Standards for Reading is that all students must be able to comprehend texts of steadily increasing complexity as they progress through school. By the time they complete the core, students must be able to read and comprehend independently and proficiently the kinds of complex texts commonly found…

Examines the contents of textbooks used in physics courses between 1967 and 1997 in Victoria, Australia for curriculum balance and emphasis on different aspects of scientific literacy. (Author/CCM)

Reports on a pilot survey of the authors of three sets of textbooks used in Australia and Canada, which have previously been shown to include a relatively high proportion of Indigenous and other minority groups' knowledges, cultures and sciences. Explores issues of voice and power in the production of textbooks. (MM)

Analogies are considered an effective method for providing a bridge between unfamiliar concepts and knowledge that students already have. This paper reports a critical analysis of analogies found in chemistry textbooks used by Australian senior high school students and is presented in three sections. The first section of the paper presents the…