Analyzed were (1) the scientific principles presented in selected science textbooks, (2) individual books and combinations thereof which best present the principles research indicates should be taught in a three year junior high school, and (3) combinations of subjects (general science, earth science, life science and physical science) which…

This study was concerned with the validation of the Oklahoma Curriculum and Instructional Materials Center (CIMC) Home Economics I Manual. Validation was obtained by examining student achievement on randomly selected unit tests. Satisfactory performance on the unit tests indicated that the students were achieving the objectives, which in turn…

The problem in the study was to determine the makeup of typing tasks assigned to beginning office workers and to see how closely the practice problems in high school typing textbooks conformed to the duties that beginning office workers actually perform. Using sequential sampling procedures, copies of 531 items typed by 100 beginning office…

Four major considerations in the selection of materials for foreign language instruction are examined in this article. The goals of the program, scope of the course, time to begin instruction, and acquisition of materials are discussed. Enumerated criteria, accepted by the California State Board of Education, for evaluation of pupil textbooks,…

This Public Affairs Pamphlet reviews how early childhood conditioning, education, religion, sports, business and finance, and mass media limit women's development and opportunities and, further, how women are working to effect change in their own lives and in society. The following are briefly discussed: (1) efforts being made by child care…

The report is an evaluation of the economic content and teaching strategies in United States and world history textbooks that are used in grades 11 and 12. The study, conducted by the Center for Economic Education, University of Delaware, was part of a kindergarten through grade twelve assessment of the treatment of economics in social studies…

Evaluation of college-level Spanish-language textbooks to determine depiction of Mexican, Puerto Rican, and Cuban culture found inaccuracies, oversimplifications, and omissions about the ethnic groups. Foreign language educators should establish criteria for evaluating foreign-language textbooks to assure accurate representations of cultures and…

The role of religion in American society has been ignored by textbook publishers and is not being taught in U.S. schools. The support for the separation of church and state is eroding as a result. Includes a sidebar providing supplementary resource materials on religion for use by teachers. (MD)

Examines: (l) disagreements with publishers during 36 years of authoring textbooks, (2) difficulties of co-authoring textbooks in view of the haste with which they are produced, (3) necessity for high textbook standards from both teachers and publishers, (4) the fact that there are few textbooks authored by teachers. (NKA)

Raises the issue of prepublishing censorship by textbook makers in geography texts, provides some examples of this kind of screening, and suggests ways for teachers and students to address the problem. Indicates that textbook makers must be sensitive to public values, political forces, and the market. (TRS)

Illustrates how a five-phase theory based on a new scholarship in women's history can evaluate curricular change about women present in high school history texts. Also suggests what textbook authors might include and an evaluation of 12 recent texts. Concludes that texts must eliminate stereotypic thinking about women. (TRS)

This article introduces and discusses some aspects of the complex problem of textbook reform, and suggests what the future holds for textbooks. (DCS)

Examination of textbooks for teaching English as a foreign language (EFL) reveals a hidden agenda in many: globalization of a Western-styled consumer culture. Despite attempts to make textbooks more culturally inclusive, they still reflect ethnocentrism and conformity. Both sexism and heterocentrism are overt. Concurrently, among native English…

A checklist of criteria for determining a text's appropriateness is provided. Suggestions assume four needs: current methodology, guidance for nonnative teachers, students' special needs, and relevance to the sociocultural environment of instruction. Criteria cover general considerations, speech, grammar, vocabulary, reading, writing, and…

A national survey reveals that, although selection and review procedures can help when school materials are challenged, there is no substitute for good community relations in reducing those challenges in the first place. (Author/JM)