College level American government textbooks used in introductory courses give limited treatment to religion in their analyses of the political system. Reasons for this are discussed. The relation of religion and politics ought to be both a theoretical and a practical aspect of studies in politics. (RM)

Outlines selection principles that should govern the selection of textbooks for the English classroom. (HOD)

A recent survey of some 3,000 administrators across the United States revealed a wide range of textbook selection procedures. (WD)

Provides five key questions teachers need to answer in order to determine whether a textbook can be used effectively in the classroom. (FL)

Pictorial humorous illustrations were found to have (1) no effects on information acquisition and on motivation, (2) positive effects on appeal, and (3) negative effects on persuasiveness. (PD)

Summarizes results of a cooperative international analysis of social studies texts by the United States/Japan Study Group. The project found books from each country tended to justify their own country's actions while consistently oversimplifying conditions in the other. Teaching strategies to counteract textbook biases are included. (AM)

Presents results of a study undertaken to compare contents of Polish primary school books from two historical periods--1938 and 1976-78. The objective was to relate books from the two periods to the respective ideological and constitutional bases of the socio-political systems they represented. Findings indicated the content of books from the two…

Described are results from a study of college general biology textbooks determining significant increases or decreases in human-interest level and/or grade-level readability. In an analysis of eight textbooks used in 56 colleges, it was concluded that neither readability nor interest level has changed from 1960 to 1978. (CS)

Reports results of a survey on the treatment of industrial organic chemistry in 12 current textbooks. Suggests that the topic be integrated into the overall coverage of course material. (JN)

Reviews seven entertaining story collections which aim to keep readers reading rather than doing exercises. With reading levels well below interest levels, these stories lure reluctant readers with such topics as the outdoors, mystery, and science fiction. Two series, one with accompanying filmstrips, retell literary classics for below-grade…

Controversy has been generated by a right-wing group over the merit of various high school American history textbooks. The author argues that his textbook fits all ethical categories. (JN)

This article picks up the debate on the requirements of materials criticism and provides an extensive critique of the Philosophy for Children program, contributing both a description of the program material and a basis for further discussion and exchange on the issue of materials criticism. (Author/MLF)