The authors teach upper-level science courses in cell biology, genetics, and biochemistry at a public, four-year "community university" that serves a demographically diverse population of traditional and nontraditional students. In this article, they describe some of the issues they have found to be particularly significant at their "community…

Faculty members who want a voice in textbook selection but whose schedules are already overburdened with meetings can still participate in textbook selection. A 7-stage process for involving all faculty in the textbook selection process has been used effectively twice in a large communication fundamentals course program at a state university and…

The first part of this paper discusses the nature and use of high-inference and low-inference criteria for the evaluation of science textbooks. The second part discusses a project entitled Criteria for the Analysis and Selection of Science Textbooks (CASST). Included are results of a state survey which show that very little emphasis is given to…

Two articles address issues in the development of French and Spanish language programs in elementary schools: instructional materials and time and money factors. The information presented is drawn from experience in developing the Radford, Virginia FLES (Foreign Language in the Elementary School) program. The first article describes some aspects…

Describes how the nursing faculty at Shoreline Community College developed a process to make textbook selection both more satisfactory and appropriate for the program, and less complicated and time-consuming for educators. Examines important factors, the review form, form content, guidelines, and the review procedure. (CT)

Readability formulas typically yield results stated as a number or grade equivalent. However, results of one formula may not be compared to another because formulas use different criteria to measure readability. A description of eight popular formulas illustrate this point. Suggests that other factors be considered when selecting reading…

Summarizes the different spheres of drama and theatre activities in Hungary. Outlines the history of drama teaching in Hungary. Describes the achievements and problems of the present, such as the place of drama in the curriculum and help that benefits Hungarian speaking teachers elsewhere. Provides a short overview of the youth theatre of the…

Argues for a continuing focus on writing across the curriculum. Explores one community college which encouraged writing across the curriculum through a cross-curricular committee, staff development, and a common book program. Concludes that a single writing teacher or department cannot promote writing as well as such a unified effort can. (SG)

Professors have long assigned to their students works of which they were the author. The practice ranges from assigning commercially published textbooks they have written to having students buy a volume they have written and published or course packs made up of their own materials they have photocopied. Not only individual professors, but also…

Discusses the nature of mathematical induction and what constitutes a correct proof by this method and common misconceptions of induction with recommendations for their remediation. The topic is also analyzed into behavioral skills and subjected to a conceptual analysis. Criteria for analyzing and evaluating textbook treatment of induction are…

Proposing that faculty configure service learning as a course text, uses interdisciplinary theory to help faculty formulate detailed responses to: "What type of service text should I assign?" and "How will I meaningfully incorporate the service text with other texts used in the class?" In so doing, it focuses on the "learning" side of the service…

Tackles two questions that are pertinent to the selection of science textbooks at the middle school level. The questions relate to what research and common sense say about selecting texts, and the influence of large corporations in the textbook industry. (DDR)

The instructional textbooks for history-social science, K-8 grades, recommended for adoption in the state of California are described in this report. The rationales for recommendation of particular texts are provided, as well as those behind the decision not to recommend other materials. A number of special issues dealt with by the adoption…

In the fall of 1984, the Education Commission of the States (ECS) was awarded a grant from the U.S. Secretary of Education's Discretionary Fund to identify alternative state roles for improving instructional materials in mathematics. To help state leaders define an appropriate and effective role in upgrading these materials, ECS proposed first to…

California state-adopted commercial art and music instructional materials are described to aid state school districts in matching instructional materials with curriculum goals and objectives. Information is provided in three sections. An annotated index gives pertinent information about each program, including title, year of copyright, and grade…