To tackle the issue of sex discrimination in social studies, three areas need to be changed: employment patterns, curriculum materials, and sexist behavior in schools. (JR)

A person considering a textbook for possible adoption should consider the following questions: does the textbook include sufficient information on important females; does the textbook deal adequately with women's issues; do the photographs and illustrations in the textbook deal effectively with women; and does the textbook contain sexist language.…

This guide in English and Spanish examines the roles assigned to women in social studies textbooks and the omission of women from history books. It analyzes the topics, textbooks, pictures, and narrations in use, and offers alternatives to these biased materials. A pre-test and post-test are included to measure the user's awareness of textbook…

Sex role research shows that (1) some achievement differences are related to students' sex role perceptions and teacher expectations, (2) effects on students of textbook bias against females have not been clearly demonstrated, and (3) instruction designed to reduce sex role stereotyping has had mixed results. (Author/AV)

This book is the result of a study that investigated the influence of "machismo" (a set of attitudes, beliefs, and behavior that perpetuates the myth of male superiority) in elementary education. The study included (1) a content analysis of textbooks used in Spanish and social studies classes in public and private schools in Puerto Rico…

Textbooks currently in use in South Bend School Corporation were examined in order to determine the extent to which traditional role stereotypes were being portrayed. This report contains evaluations of curriculum materials in reading, spelling, mathematics, art, writing, social studies, and literature. The "Holt Basic Reading Systems," the most…

Discusses controversy surrounding the equal-protection rights of students versus the freedom of expression rights of authors. This author pleads the side of the students and supports the Civil Rights Commission's endeavor to learn what sex and race bias guidelines textbook publishers use. Gives suggestions for parents and teachers. (BC)

Results of a workshop to review language arts, social studies, and counseling curriculum materials for sex bias are reported. The workshop, held in Lansing, Michigan in June 1979, consisted of 37 teachers who analyzed content and illustrations for sex discrimination. Evaluations are arranged alphabetically by the publisher of the textbook within…

This article explores sex bias in curricular materials for elementary and secondary schools. Sex bias is defined as a set of unconscious behaviors that, in themselves, are often trivial and generally favorable. Although these behaviors do not hurt if they happen only once, they can cause a great deal of harm if a pattern develops that serves to…

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 guide presents an instructional module on sex stereotyping in the social studies, particularly in U.S. history. Intended to be used with secondary students, the module was designed to be used as an independent miniunit or as a supplement to an existing course, and should take between one and two hours. It consists of a 30-minute tape, six…

Contends that social studies textbooks remain a basic source of information for students and they ascribe to texts the values of objectivity and truth. Concludes that, in spite of improvements in recent years, six major concerns about gender-related issues remain. (CFR)

This volume is the second of a two-volume series which surveys the extent to which sex, race, and class bias can be found in commonly used elementary-level instructional materials in Manitoba, Canada. Analysis of materials used in grades four through six indicates that the negative biases present in the kindergarten through grade three materials…