Analyzes textbooks currently in use in secondary level vocational training courses in the Soviet Union. Recommendations for textbook improvement call for research by educators, scientists, and publishers on problems of writing textbooks for vocational technical schools. (Author/DB)

Discusses procedures for selecting textbooks. Provided are guidelines for reviewing textbooks, analyzing content, and analyzing strategies. (SL)

Clarifies and explains the ideologies and potential justifications of censorship efforts. Offers recommendations and procedures for maintaining an atmosphere with ample freedom to learn and positive community relations. (JDH)

A law school teacher describes her response to the incorrect and insensitive treatment of rape in a criminal law textbook, including analysis and criticism of the text's content and communication with the publisher about it. (MSE)

Provides information that can help educators meet challenges to instructional materials, looks at who the challengers are, discusses the nature of censorship, and suggests ways to handle challenges. (NKA)

Discusses the process of state textbook adoption and how this process influences the subject matter that will prevail throughout the country. Elaborates on the Texas textbook adoption system as an example of a statewide selection procedure. (GEA)

Describes "A Guide to Selecting Basal Reading Programs," which was developed to help textbook adoption committees select basal reading texts in elementary schools. Topics discussed include development of booklets that describe various aspects of reading instruction and the role of the guidelines in improving the quality of basal reading…

Faculty members can facilitate student learning by acting as a committee to evaluate formally the available textbooks and development guidelines for their use. Committee members must review the course objectives and the role that textbooks are to play in the course. (MLW)

Looks at the problems that non-native speaker teachers face in teaching communication in an impoverished educational environment and what happens when attempts are made to change from the structural to the functional syllabus. Defines "minimal communicative methodology" and suggests ways to activate the inert materials in textbooks to…

Knowing what you need in a textbook is the first step in adopting one. This article gives tips on how to review the current research in a subject area before assessing needs. A list of four references is provided. (DCS)

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.…

Discusses a study designed to explore teachers' attitudes toward text selection, focusing on text characteristics and reasons for a particular selection. (AEA)

Explores the assumptions underlying the use of composition textbooks based on nineteenth-century forms and modes of discourse: description, narration, exposition, and argumentation. Presents alternatives to this approach, developed from schema theory and developmental psychology. (HTH)

Parents and others in the community have a significant stake in the schools of the public. Their thoughts on the curriculum and the selection of texts must be given serious consideration by the school boards and professional educators. (Author/RK)