A major problem facing schools is lack of curricular differentiation and academic challenge for the most academically able students. Also, contemporary textbooks have been "dumbed down." Curriculum compacting is a flexible, research-based technique enabling high-ability students to skip work they already know and substitute more…

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…

In his assessment of the current state of e-book technology, David Rothman illustrates the value of e-books for educators, accounts for why the technology has not been more widely embraced, and discusses new developments that suggest a better future for e-books. For educators, particularly distance educators, e-books hold great potential to…

The three papers included in this report address typography for graphic communication, typographic access structures for educational texts, and typography as macropunctuation. The first paper considers the consequences of an aesthetic bias in the literature of typography, and identifies two misleading assumptions about textbooks; i.e., that print…

This document is a position statement of the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics on instructional materials, including textbooks. First the point is made that the content, organization, and style of instructional materials are among the most important factors influencing outcomes of school mathematics programs. Then five standards are…

THE AUTHOR, WHO IS A HISTORIAN, POINTS OUT THE PRACTICAL PROBLEMS OF TEACHERS IN SMALL COLLEGES WHO ARE FACED WITH TEACHING ASIAN LANGUAGES IN ADDITION TO SURVEY COURSES IN FAR EASTERN CULTURAL HISTORY. HE HAS FOUND THAT A COURSE IN THE CULTURAL HISTORY OF JAPAN OR CHINA WILL LEAD TO A DESIRE ON THE PART OF SOME STUDENTS TO LEARN SOMETHING ABOUT…

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,…

Publishers of textbooks are subject to pressure from public opinion and regional bias as well as criticism from teachers and boards of education. (JD)

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

This article examines the topic of racism in textbooks by reviewing the content of a geography textbook popular in the United Kingdom and Australia. Concludes that the problem of racism in textbooks is pervasive and in violation of United Nations standards for antiracist instruction. (JDH)

Reviews widely-used introductory economics textbooks, examining how issues relating to race and gender are treated. Suggests how stereotypical roles could be avoided in the future. Includes a table summarizing data from 21 textbooks. (Author/DH)

Examines the publishing process, following a book from concept to product. (HOD)

A discussion of the change-agent role of the textbook. The changes sweeping vocational education are also examined in terms of their effects on the market for vocational education textbooks. (HD)