Describes how to determine to what extent mathematics standards are addressed in curriculum materials and discusses some important characteristics of new as well as traditional mathematics materials. Summarizes how a group of Kentucky mathematics teachers used the analysis procedure in their state textbook-adoption process. (ASK)

A study involving 81 eighth-graders found that those who used a conceptually organized (C-O) history textbook which presented content more conceptually and also provided multiple means to assist student's learning of history information, did significantly better on multiple choice questions than did students using a topically organized textbook.…

Relates the authors' experience teaching technical writing for two weeks at Suzhou University in China. Discusses activities; examines four technical writing textbooks purchased there; and offers suggestions about how technical communication might be established as a separate academic discipline in Chinese universities. Discusses technical…

Discusses the five main tasks of delivering a regional geography course that engages the students in active study of foreign language texts: (1) planning the syllabus and scheduling; (2) selection of texts; (3) study guides and class activities; (4) student recruitment; and (5) course evaluation. (CMK)

This comprehensive, annotated resource list is designed to assist in selecting resources authorized by the Alberta (Canada) Education Department for the elementary social studies classroom. Within each grade and topic, annotated entries for basic learning resources are listed, followed by support learning resources and authorized teaching…

Saint Mary's College (Indiana) offers a minor program in computer science. The program's introductory computer science class traditionally taught Pascal. The decision to change the introductory programming language to C++ with an object oriented approach was made when it became clear that there were good texts available for beginning students.…

The purpose of this newsletter, published six times yearly during Western Michigan University's (WMU) fall and winter semesters, is to provide a forum for the exchange of information about instruction at the university. The first of six issues collected here looks at the contribution and role of adjunct professors. This issue includes a list of…

Governments, groups, and individuals have always tried to control information. This paper examines censorship, particularly textbook censorship and its effect upon the curriculum, and opposes the recent trend to censor textbooks in public schools. Since the mission of public schooling involves indoctrination and socialization as much as education,…

This project developed a checklist for examining college texts for adoption in situations in which several instructors use the same text to teach a large introductory, multi-sectioned college course. Fifteen students from Brenau College (Georgia) and 33 faculty members from several Georgia colleges were interviewed. Four computer software dealers…

Changes in textbook adoption policies in three states--North Carolina, Texas, and California--are examined in this paper, which analyzes major legislative or regulatory changes in the context of each state's educational improvement efforts. Findings indicate a growing conflict between advocates for statewide versus local responsibility for…

In July, 1982, letters were sent to the social studies coordinators in all 50 states requesting a list of high school geography texts approved for use in those states and information on the selection process used. The response rate was 100%. Information acquired from the 20 states that have statewide adoption policies constitute the basis of this…

The process of evaluating and selecting basal readers has long been a primary concern for educators. Educators directly involved with textbook adoptions have expressed several concerns, including: time pressures on evaluators; lack of training for evaluators; concerns related to publishers; and correlations with state or district curriculum.…

The first roadblock encountered in an effort to develop an interdisciplinary communications skills course at the university level was the discovery that no suitable textbooks exist for such a course. First, texts widely used for basic speech courses do not attempt to incorporate written and spoken communication, much less computer skills. Second,…

In 1985, People for the American Way released its first review of biology textbooks that was inspired by the ongoing controversy over whether or not (and how) evolution should be taught in public school classrooms. The purpose of this review is to gauge how successful the response of educators and scientists have been at convincing publishers that…

This book is intended as a resource for teachers and curriculum developers who select textbooks for secondary English courses. It includes a compilation of 32 factual textbook reviews obtained from the application of a review instrument, which was based on the California "Model Curriculum Standards: Grades Nine through Twelve, English…