Discusses weakness in 11 introductory psychology textbooks in distinguishing between the terms proactive behavior and negative transfer. Negative transfer relates to a detrimental effect of prior experience on the learning of a new task, whereas proactive interference concerns a detrimental affect of prior interference on the recall of a second…

Determines from empirical information on the application of four readability formulas to a group of widely used college economics textbooks that there is no consistency in the absolute reading levels or the rank orderings of these books. (AEA)

A content analysis of (N=116) marriage and family texts showed that only one-third devoted at least a sentence or two to death in the family, with widowhood being the most frequently discussed topic. Suggests death, unlike divorce, does not seem to be defined as a crisis by family sociologists. (Author/RC)

Proposes use of prepublication student evaluations of textbooks. Feedback from students helps to improve comprehensibility and interest and is most useful when done on a chapter-by-chapter basis using a systematic evaluation procedure. (Author/KC)

Reviewed are 14 recent texts, kits, supplements, and professional references for values education in the secondary grades. A special subsection evaluates four titles for advanced secondary students on human sexuality. (SJL)

Reviewed are 35 recent texts, instructional kits, supplements, and professional references for consumer education. All but three are intended for the secondary grades. (SJL)

Reviewed are eight recent instructional kits, supplementary texts, and professional references for K-8 library and study skills instruction. (SJL)

The article discusses a study to measure the readability of eight junior high school American history textbooks including "American History for Today" (Ginn and Company, 1977), "America! America" (Scott, Foresman, 1980), "Quest for Liberty: Investigating United States History" (Addison-Wesley, 1974), and "The American Adventure" (Allyn and Bacon,…

This article is designed to help textbook selection committees and personnel make better choices of instructional materials. It outlines the types of information selectors will need about their own districts' curriculum and characteristics and presents a chart for design analysis of this data which can be used in textbook evaluation. (SJL)

Suggests that current economic events should be incorporated into simple textbook models. As an example, shows how some of the major aspects of the debate on macroeconomic policy can be dealt with by using a simple Keynesian expenditure model. (Author/DB)

Expresses concern about the scientific accuracy of 2 series of books intended for years 7-8 working toward Key Stage 3. Discusses three examples that relate to the liquid state, solutions, and genes and chromosomes. Includes the criteria upon which the appraisal is based. (Author/JRH)

Discusses how the National Science Foundation (NSF)-funded curricula stack up against the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics (NCTM)'s "Principles and Standards". Identifies distinctive features of the five textbook series and includes an example that shows some of these features for each series. (KHR)

Surveys children's information books. Finds that the language of the books is very diverse. Suggests that readers experience diversity of language from a very early age and that such books fall well short of any standard that is desirable of informative texts. (RS)

Reports the views of several experienced composition teachers regarding composition textbooks in general and their use in computer course sections specifically. (MM)