The concern of this paper is with techniques for improving the understandability of statistics textbooks for novices. Understandability is measured by tests of the reader's performance on creative transfer problems that require using text material in novel situations. The focus is primarily on the instructional objective of conceptual…

AN ANNOTATED LIST OF MATERIALS PARTICULARY SUITED TO TEACHING READING TO ADOLESCENT AND ADULT MALES IS PRESENTED. THE MATERIALS CITED SHOULD STIMULATE AND CHALLENGE READERS WHOSE ACHIEVEMENT LEVELS RANGE FROM GRADES 1 TO 6. A LIST OF PUBLISHERS WHO ARE PRINTING MATERIALS OF THIS TYPE IS INCLUDED. (JM)

This paper suggests that teachers concentrate on the ideational and structural properties of text rather than on information acquired from readability formulas when selecting and using texts. Emphasis is given to the importance of context in the analysis of text, and a framework is suggested for examining the text considering the functions texts…

This investigation attempted to determine how pupil attitudes toward mathematics might be changed by introducing the new Laidlaw Series in the Moscow Elementary School during the academic year of 1965-66. The Kansas Arithmetic Inventory for Elementary Pupils was administered as a pretest prior to the introduction of the new text and a post-test…

Horizontal readability, the analysis of essentially similar passages through classification of words and phrases according to their cognitive similarity, is discussed in relation to its usefulness in differentiating among materials designed for the same reading level. Three studies of horizontal readability in which passages were rated for high…

This paper discusses six factors which can be used to successfully examine, evaluate, and select reading instructional materials; it also examines the appropriate characteristics of an objective evaluation instrument. Evaluation of reading instructional materials should be based on a sound philosophy of reading instruction as practiced in the…

Teachers of language arts charged with selecting books for class instruction should consider their responsibility to students, the educational program, and the greater community.

A board cannot abrogate its responsibility to decide nor can it delegate that responsibility to others. And a board should not surrender its authority. (Author)

The lack of adequate pedagogical material for the teaching of Italian in North America is criticized. Presently available grammars and textbooks are listed with brief descriptions. Criteria, guidelines and requirements for satisfactory elementary and intermediate Italian textbooks are presented. (MS)

Two books are reviewed which discuss conservative critics of textbooks, especially critics of the presentation of evolution in biology textbooks. The article tells who these textbook watchers are and describes their aversions and preferences. (BB)

Surveys lists of English texts approved for use in states and large city school districts and draws eight conclusions about the most commonly used composition texts. (DD)

Four very general questions concerning the objections that have been lodged against specific pieces of literature and the place of controversial material in textbooks for secondary students were responded to by 15 Tennessee teachers. (JC)

Poses the theory that teaching is telling a story about the acquisition of knowledge. Explores the approaches of four composition textbooks using the pattern of heroic adventure (separation, initiation, and return) as a basis for comparison. Concludes that the implied educational values in texts should be considered conscientiously by teachers.…

There must be a return to classic texts in humanities instruction, but the selection of those texts is no longer simple, because of questions about (1) identifying which are classics and (2) connections made between the classic texts studied and a student's personal life. (MSE)

Describes an evaluation process for choosing high school journalism textbooks involving three stages: (1) identifying needs; (2) text ratings; and (3) actual book selection. (SRT)