Presidential paper delivered at the annual meeting of the Joint Conference of Language Associations of Great Britain, December 1970, at the University of Kent. (DS)

Analyzed man-environment textbooks to characterize the "typical" book and determine which criteria need to be assessed most carefully by instructors. The study's purpose was not to decide which book was best, but to evaluate which features of books vary most. Provides four questions as tools for the initial textbook screening process.…

Outlines selection principles that should govern the selection of textbooks for the English classroom. (HOD)

A recent survey of some 3,000 administrators across the United States revealed a wide range of textbook selection procedures. (WD)

A national survey reveals increasing attempts to challenge or restrict the books available to students. Schools need to establish a book selection policy, a method for dealing with complaints, and better communication with the public. (Author/JM)

Textbooks and teaching methods for adult basic education courses are frequently inappropriate for the cognitive ability level of the students. The assumption that these students have formal reasoning skills is often erroneous. (JD)

Looks at factors in the textbook publishing industry, especially costs and censorship, which affect the quality of available reading series. Notes the problem of readability and content bias. Finally, presents a checklist of basal reader evaluation criteria. (SJL)

Controversy has been generated by a right-wing group over the merit of various high school American history textbooks. The author argues that his textbook fits all ethical categories. (JN)

Reports the results of an informal survey of instructors and students of astronomy and authors and editors of astronomy books. Finds that not a single instructor respondent reported being satisfied with the books themselves and not one author or editor reported being satisfied with the market. (DDR)

Addresses "text potential" as a tool to make interdisciplinary connections between language arts and mathematics by identifying literacy standards and identifying literature that has text potential for teaching mathematics. Describes literature that highlights aspects of geometry and measurement, and discusses the power and potential of…

Hearing-impaired students need exposure to materials that present accurate and encouraging portrayals of people as unique individuals of equal worth and varied talents. Presented are a checklist for evaluating textbooks for fair representation of characters with disabilities and suggestions for compensating for gender, ethnic, and disability bias…

Examines 11 randomly selected English handbooks to determine the currently published guidelines for avoiding sexist language. Reveals that major differences exist among these handbooks when dealing with equality in language and suggests that feminist teachers exert leadership when selecting handbooks. Ranks five handbooks from offensive to…

Discusses the evaluations of U.S. history textbooks conducted by People for the American Way. Concludes that the higher-rated textbooks are useful only for college-bound students and the lower-ranked textbooks seem to be aimed at children with reading difficulties, thus pointing out some of the problems facing selection committees. (KO)

Examines 25 contemporary public speaking textbooks to determine how the subject of communication apprehension (CA) is addressed. Finds that textbooks present accurate information about CA; however, much of the material presented in the texts is dated, and frequently derived from nonacademic sources. (MS)