Native Americans know that they have a complex social, political, and economic heritage, and they have been concerned that social studies textbooks describe the history, traditions, and values of Indian tribes much too simplistically and generally. To address the need for Indian heritage to be presented without bias, use of stereotypes, or…

The articles in this monograph address issues educators face in selecting and adopting reading textbooks for use in a pluralistic society. Part one deals with the educational and sociological parameters of reading material selection. Michele M. Fomalont comments on the historical perspectives of material selection and then relates this to present…

This study explores the complex spectrum of motives and perceptions underlying contemporary criticism of science as expressed in the arena of public education. Part 1 briefly portrays the historical context of present-day disputes, discussing those aspects of the early reaction to Darwinian evolution and its introduction in the school that have…

The Materials Acquisition Project was created by the Bilingual Education Programs Branch of the U.S. Office of Education to make available information concerning instructional materials currently published in Spanish- and Portuguese-speaking countries to teachers of elementary and secondary bilingual-bicultural education classes in the United…

A study using 10 University of South Africa education graduates investigated how students experience two very different textbooks. Results suggest that the students' personal circumstances dictated their approaches to instructional texts. Other factors included English language proficiency; textual features (advance organizers, visual aids,…

Reports on a review of 25 content analysis studies of social studies textbooks published between 1982 and 1992. Finds that many of the problems noted in other types of social studies research also are evident in these studies. Provides recommendations for improving the quality of content analysis studies. (CFR)

This report by the Texas State Board of Education to the 70th Legislature outlines reform legislation established in response to the call for school reform, specifically examining the components and implementation of a well-balanced basic curriculum in public schools. A reproduction of Section 21.101 of the Texas Education Code is supplied,…

Although subtle compared to the politicization of education in a totalitarian state, American education has been politicized, with liberal ideologies affecting both curricula and teachers. This gradual politicization of the classroom will, if left unchecked, lead to infringements on individual freedom and the right to the pursuit of happiness.…

This is an evaluation report on a Title VII bilingual program that was conducted in Community School District 30, Queens, in New York City during 1980-81. The report states that the program served pupils of limited English capacity whose native languages were Greek, Chinese, Italian, and Spanish. The program's goals, activities and structure are…

The research and theoretical rationale for differences between (urban) black and white students, particularly in achievement in language development, are discussed along with implications for the classroom. Theories about language acquisition and capacity that have developed to account for the poor school performance of urban black students…

This curriculum guide sets forth the objectives, content, methods, and scope of Latin instruction for each level of a four-level sequence in the secondary schools of New York City. It is a revision of experimental bulletins in use since 1962. Suggestions are made for the teaching of vocabulary and idiom, grammar and forms, derivation, drill,…

This study draws upon evaluations of 306 texts in common use in the 50 states. The books were read by over 100 experts who responded to a detailed questionnaire designed to assess the texts' amount of Asian content; accuracy, underlying assumptions and approach; inclusion of literature, the fine arts, and other primary expressions of the Asian…

Divided into three main sections, this monograph about the Kanawha County textbook controversy deals with lessons drawn from that conflict. In answering the question of what happened, the author begins with events that predated any outward signs of dissent, such as the phasing out of the citizen advisory committee on textbook selection, and…

For each area mentioned, this booklet has a brief description of the desired condition, the present condition, and the recommended legislation. The areas considered include bilingual education, crime prevention, drug education, financing of regional education service centers, and textbook adoption. (Author/IRT)

Textbook and instructional materials selection procedures obtained from a survey of 414 selected school districts in 33 states and the District of Columbia are presented and analyzed in this report. Seventeen states were not included because the selection process in these states occurs at the state rather than at the local school system level.…