A survey of 15 college economic principles texts revealed a startling lack of uniformity, clarity, and precision in discussion of the U.S. economy. Descriptors of the economy were considered either primary or secondary. Primary descriptors were the major terms used to identify the U.S. economy and were used explicitly in the text. Secondary…

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…

Every year the purchase of unsuitable books for disadvantaged children wastes millions of dollars. The use of these unsuitable books results in extensive reading failure. In order to overcome this waste of money and human resources, book committees need to employ standards and methods of evaluation to identify books appropriate for disadvantaged…

Describes the nature and form of knowledge that should be in social studies textbooks. Argues that substantial knowledge can be used by academic reviewers and teachers as a framework for analysis of social studies texts and to encourage dialogue about the purpose and structure of social studies lessons. (BSR)

Presents opposing views concerning the effects of the publishing industry on the English curriculum. (JL)

The author reviews some research on the ethnic content of United States history textbooks; examines published guidelines and checklists on ethnic balance in instructional materials; and considers the role of the curriculum director in local textbook review. (SJL)

In writing textbooks on Africa for university and postgraduate students and educational materials for elementary and secondary school students, authors should consider factors such as language, objectives, financing, publication control, and the relationship of the teacher to the textbook. (DB)

This study examined representation of francophone regions other than France in readings and activities in French second-language textbooks published since 1995. The model of representation used shows the richness and variety of the cultures, contains no inaccurate information, and gives a realistic portrayal devoid of colonialistic and…

Although all of us must teach against the text at times, I find myself doing this most often when teaching about qualitative methods in the context of a general introductory methods course. Myths about the nature and practice of qualitative research are both embedded in the folklore of mainstream sociology and supported by the textbooks that we…

This report by a committee appointed to review the treatment of minority groups in social science textbooks presents a series of criteria to be applied to the production and selection of these books. It is recommended that material on minorities should be included when relevant to a subject. Treatment of minorities should be accurate, complete,…