Advice on selecting a reference book for the writing class and particular writing students. A classification of recommended, good, fair, and not recommended handbooks. (RL)

Offers suggestions, in the form of a rating questionnaire, that members of textbook selection committees can use to assure that textbooks are analyzed systematically and compared fairly. (RL)

Presents an analysis of a recently published science textbook for grades 1 to 6. An evaluation of the process and content of the student text and teachers guide are given. (SA)

Compares a content analysis of 60 college introductory psychology textbooks published or revised between 1969 and 1975 with another analysis of 52 texts published or revised between 1980 and 1989. Finds recent texts more voluminous and more comprehensive, yet more readable than their predecessors. (CFR)

The instructional textbooks for history-social science, K-8 grades, recommended for adoption in the state of California are described in this report. The rationales for recommendation of particular texts are provided, as well as those behind the decision not to recommend other materials. A number of special issues dealt with by the adoption…

The 1974 textbook dispute led by Alice Moore, member of the Kanawha County (West Virginia) Board of Education, is discussed. (NQ)

Produced as a part of an evaluatic research study, this volume includes descriptions and critiques of 14 sets of economic education reviews print materials for teaching economics to grades 7-10 that were prepared by economists and middle school teachers. The materials for evaluation were selected by searching the Education Resources Information…

In the fall of 1984, the Education Commission of the States (ECS) was awarded a grant from the U.S. Secretary of Education's Discretionary Fund to identify alternative state roles for improving instructional materials in mathematics. To help state leaders define an appropriate and effective role in upgrading these materials, ECS proposed first to…

The California State Board of Education is responsible for adopting textbooks and instructional materials for use in kindergarten through grade eight. The purposes of the instructional materials program are to: (1) establish clear standards for the educational and social content of texbooks and instructional materials; (2) evaluate instructional…

Because the state of Texas is the largest single market for secondary texts in the nation and because its state adoption process has drawn a small but well-organized group of protestors, the Texas textbook adoption process has begun to shape textbooks in use nationwide. A study was conducted to examine the arguments most recently used by citizens…

This guide is based on one published by the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics in 1980. The guidelines are presented in an effort to assist in the selection of textbooks. There are two major sections. The first, How to Get Started, has sections on: Reviewing Objectives; Assessing the Program; Selecting the Evaluation Committee; Developing…

MATERIAL CONCERNING MINORITY GROUPS SHOULD BE PRESENTED IF IMPORTANT TO AN ADEQUATE UNDERSTANDING OF THE SUBJECT MATTER. PRESENTATION SHOULD BE MATURE AND REALISTIC, AND TREATMENT SHOULD REFLECT A RESPECT FOR CULTURAL DIFFERENCES AND HUMAN DIGNITY. A CHECKLIST IS INCLUDED TO AID THE TEACHER IN SELECTING TEXTBOOKS WHICH GIVE ADEQUATE PRESENTATION…

This report of a curriculum seminar at Washington State University is focused on the use of textbooks in both schools and libraries. Incorporated within Chapter 1 are topics concerning the textbook industry and how it works, a short discussion of the publishing structure, and information about the developmental costs of both curriculum and…

This guide provides teachers, authors, and editors with a fuller knowledge of economics textbook alternatives. The guide consists of four parts which provide information on 41 college economic texts published 1970-72. Part 1 is a guide to text identification through such objective factors as approach, length, price, rigor, publisher, title,…

Minority groups should be accurately presented in educational materials for all school children, especially those with minority backgrounds. Materials should avoid giving the minority child a negative self-image. Life should be portrayed as it is, including harsh realities. Factual material must reflect authoritative, comprehensive, and current…