Creative interchange enables people to appreciate and absorb the experiences of others. Creative interchange, as one answer to the problem of selecting instructional materials in a diverse society, promotes thinking in a context of goodness (knowledge, love, and truth) which a broad spectrum of society can support. (Author/SJL)

Outlines American Library Association recommendations for writing policies and procedures covering the selection of instructional materials. (JM)

Considers factors contributing to the increased dependence on textbooks by secondary and college English teachers, including increased teacher workloads, decreased funds, and expanded community pressures. (JT)

Warns teachers to be cautious in accepting the free and inexpensive instructional materials offered by business, utilities, and trade associations because these materials may contain subtle industry propaganda. Describes how industry promotes such materials and suggests guidelines for reviewing them and for counteracting biased presentations. (SJL)

Presents a three-phase process for selecting instructional materials: (1) screening materials; (2) matching screened materials to identified district characteristics and needs; and (3) decision-making. Part I of this three-part article appeared in "Curriculum Review," January 1981, pp9-14. (SJL)

Representative, delegated school governance by elected officials intrinsically vests curricular control in those officials. Because their offices are created so that the schools may be governed, they have authority to govern the schools--even especially--in the delicate and critical areas of deciding how and what the schools shall teach.…

A close look at college reading lists and publishers' best sellers reveals that classics remain an essential part of the English curriculum at most schools. The popularity of the Bible and Cliffs Notes of classics confirms the interest in classic works. (SLD)

Responds to critical commentary about the authors' article, "The Great Speckled Bird" (1993), which addressed educational policymaking within a social context characterized by multicultural backlash. The authors point to their critics' attempts to deflect from the article's main focus, how these educational policies came to be, by…

Suggests that more attention be paid by biochemistry textbook authors to the breadth of contemporary learning strategies, given the fact that an increasing number of medical schools have adopted an integrated, self-paced, problem-based curriculum. Discusses the theoretical characteristics desirable in the ideal biochemistry textbook. (JJK)

Reviews articles in the Journal of Research in Childhood Education, Volume 5, Number 1, 1990. Topics include young children's oral language; effects of realistic versus nonrealistic play; textbook choice; written response to stereotypical and nonstereotypical story starters; and computers and kindergarten language development. (DG)

Fourth and sixth graders were engaged in the process of textbook selection in an effort to increase the understanding of student experiences with materials that have a substantial influence on curriculum and instruction. Results indicate that children do not, as a group, share a comprehensive point of view about basal readers. (SH)

Summarizes six studies, including research on the connection between children's writing and meaning, symbolic play with realistic props, the preschooler's developing sense of theme, the process of engaging children in textbook selection, children's use of stereotyped writing, and effects of computerized picture-word processing on kindergartners'…

Replicates an earlier study in which students read versions of passages rewritten by composition instructors, text linguists, or Time-Life writers. Finds that the composition instructor's revisions were the most effective. Points out methodological lessons learned. Comments on some conclusions on improving textbook design and the measures used in…

In "Mozert," fundamentalist parents claim that the reading curriculum interfered with their right to transmit religious values to their children. The district court fashioned an excusal scheme; however, the Sixth Circuit reversed this decision. Reviews the facts, analyzes points of law left unresolved, and discusses the broader…

Reconsiders the place of Peter Berger's "Invitation to Sociology," in teaching undergraduate sociology courses. Traces the success and intellectual impact of the work. Describes the image of sociology it presents. Reviews its treatment of human freedom as a sociological issue. Examines its world vision and evaluates its usefulness in…