This paper is a comparison of three major elementary mathematics textbooks. Although the scope of this investigation is not directly related to college level mathematics, it does address a portion of the oft asked college level question, "How have my students been taught in public school?" The study looks at the strengths and weaknesses of the textbooks, which may be useful for college remedial mathematics teachers, as well as to preservice teachers of elementary school mathematics. A rubric was created that identified student and teacher concerns with regard to a textbook. The books were then "graded" against these rubrics to find which was best in each area, and which was strong overall. These results were used to make suggestions for an elementary mathematics textbook that best promotes students understanding of mathematics. These methods of textbook evaluation may also be helpful for evaluations of higher level texts.