The background of the Kanawha County, language arts textbook controversy is described, and several factors are examined as possible precipitating elements in the controversy. The major actions, reactions, and occurrences in Kanawha County from April 1974 to April 1975 are reported, and various sources are used to document positions taken by…

The author contends that even though forces are at work to eliminate sexism in employment and education, sex stereotyping is so ingrained in the culture it is almost impossible to detect in discourse of any kind, let alone textbooks. The author offers a guide to detection. (Editor/HD)

Finds that no concensus exists among Michigan post-secondary schools on the "ideal" textbook, course requirement, or course evaluation procedures for their business communication courses. Proposes that some standards be established in these areas. (RL)

Recommends selection criteria for college level sociology textbooks, including appeal, coverage, interest, difficulty, and salesmanship. The article concludes with suggestions for motivating students to read the textbooks. (Author/DB)

The purposes of this study were to determine the social studies series adoption policies of midwestern school districts and to identify the most popular and successful series in use. Data were provided by elementary principals in 186 randomly selected school districts. Available from: Department of Social Science Education, University of Georgia,…

Discusses criteria to apply in the selection of textbooks and teaching methods for the teaching of English as a second language. (Text is in French.) (CLK)

If public education is going to attempt to meet children's needs in our present and future ever-changing society, teachers must continually review the material they use in their classrooms. Considers this factor in teaching the concept of family in a social studies lesson. (Author/RK)

Describes the nature and form of knowledge that should be in social studies textbooks. Argues that substantial knowledge can be used by academic reviewers and teachers as a framework for analysis of social studies texts and to encourage dialogue about the purpose and structure of social studies lessons. (BSR)

The author recounts his experiences in the textbook adoption process during his tenure on the California State Board of Education from 1975 to 1981. The focus on legal criteria (such as the reflection of cultural or racial diversity or print and page size), he argues, too often overrides concern with quality of the books' contents. (GC)

Proposes that textbook publishers and educators collaborate in producing high-quality curriculum materials. Some of the materials would be customized to deal with the students' own environment. Representatives of two large publishing firms disagree and contend that the problem is school boards' unwillingness to pay for quality products. (MLF)

Discusses (1) the publishing company practice of altering literary works to conform to the extraliterary beliefs of various groups, (2) the groups prominent in such censorship activities and their actions, (3) the influence of this censorship on literature textbook selection, and (4) some works altered by censorship activities. (EL)

A teacher discusses the transition from building-level autonomy to unilateral decision making by the central office in her school district. She points out how this change became a step backward for the school. (MD)

Materials selected for instruction should be concerned and sensitive to the self-concept of all children. (JH)

The author describes her findings in teaching Health Education to remedial students at Queensborough Community College. She found that remedial students should receive assignments at the first class meeting and that they should use one textbook (which contains a summary and questions at the end of each chapter) rather than several. Frequent tests…