Some educators, especially those engaged in minority studies, are historically disenchanted with textbooks. They have sought alternative sources of information in multimedia. To test the effectiveness of a multimedia approach to change students' attitudes and increase factual knowledge, the Lawrence, Kansas, schools designed an experiment to…

Textbooks currently in use in South Bend School Corporation were examined in order to determine the extent to which traditional role stereotypes were being portrayed. This report contains evaluations of curriculum materials in reading, spelling, mathematics, art, writing, social studies, and literature. The "Holt Basic Reading Systems," the most…

This book describes courses on women's studies for the high school curriculum in literature and language and in history and social studies. Based on the women's social movement, women's studies is an alternative curriculum with goals to raise student consciousness about sexist curricula and society, compensate for the omission of women from…

The discrepancies between science and creationism are reflected in curriculum controversies. Students should be free to choose which theory they like, according to the creationists who view Darwinian science as incompatible with absolute moral values. (DS)

Discusses controversy surrounding the equal-protection rights of students versus the freedom of expression rights of authors. This author pleads the side of the students and supports the Civil Rights Commission's endeavor to learn what sex and race bias guidelines textbook publishers use. Gives suggestions for parents and teachers. (BC)

Racial bias in instructional materials is still a monumental and pervasive problem which can and must be dealt with. Here is a description of what one local group did to help correct the problem. (Author/RK)

Discusses the cursory treatment of Mexican Americans and Mexican American History in United States History textbooks and classrooms. Identifies instructional methods useful in engaging student interest. Argues that the present inadequacies of education and educational tools in this area perpetuate existing stereotypes and contribute to cultural…

Reviews five composition textbooks, assessing their attempts to integrate the reading and writing processes through literature and composition. Examines the textbooks' theoretical instantiation and notes their lack of success in achieving the reading/writing connection. (MM)

Discusses U.S./USSR Textbook Study Project and the concerns of its director, Howard Mehlinger. Among the criticisms of Soviet treatment of U.S. history are the overriding ideological biases and the inadequate coverage of such topics as political parties and reform movements. Among Soviet complaints are stereotypes of economic underdevelopment and…

Noting that textbooks in the United States contain misleading, inaccurate, and biased information on South Africa, this article provides an annotated bibliography of elementary and secondary curriculum materials which may be used to provide a more balanced and accurate treatment of South Africa. (JDH)

This study attempts to determine if quantitative and qualitative bias regarding work modes, specifically professional and paraprofesional vs. technical-vocational, exists in selected elementary school text materials. (Author/JH)

Reports the results of an examination of the contents of major textbooks in order to determine the extent, accuracy, and objectivity of Mexican American history at the high school level in recent years. (Author/JM)

Frances FitzGerald's critique of American social studies and history curricula in "America Revised" is reviewed. The conclusion drawn is that censorship, special interests, and marketability exercise too great an influence on the textbook industry. (JMF)

Content analysis of American government textbooks published in the post-McCarthy and post-Watergate eras demonstrates that, although underlying interpretations of constitutional issues remained constant, the overall textbook presentations shifted. This finding highlights the danger of overemphasizing current events, distorting overall presentation…

Traces the history of ethnocentrism in European education, contending that ethnocentrism is on the rise. Discusses the reasons for the resurgence of nationalism, citing textbook research and public opinion surveys revealing the existence of ethnocentrism. Focuses on ethnocentrism in history and literature and concludes with a discussion of…