This article outlines points to consider when reviewing textbooks and proposes a format to assist the educator in the selection process. The format includes establishing a philosophy and framework, forming a committee, including student representation, developing an outline, acquiring materials for review, and using an evaluation tool. (CT)

Although textbooks structure from 75 to 90 percent of classroom instruction, they are often criticized for contributing to American students' appalling ignorance and for being compendia of inadequately treated topics. This article explores deficiencies in science, social studies, and history and offers remedial actions. The key is a careful…

Twenty-five introductory college psychology textbooks are analyzed for terms most frequently used, the textbooks which employed the largest number of frequently used terms; similarity among textbooks; and the relationship between readability and technical thoroughness of the texts. (Author/JR)

The textbooks described in this document are written for or widely used in high school psychology courses. To help teachers decide which books to examine more closely, reviews are provided. Complete price and bibliographic information are included for each text, along with a description of accompanying materials, such as instructor's manuals or…

The Mannheim Rating (of teaching texts for German as a foreign language) is criticized from the standpoint of choice of texts considered and for vagueness of criteria. Several of the texts rated "good" are considered from the standpoint of criteria proposed by the writer. (IFS/WGA)

Criticizes the goals stated in the Mannheim Rating (of teaching texts for German as a foreign language) as being vaguely defined, and the criteria as being faultily formulated. Not considered are: text science, learning psychology, and psychology of motivation. Actual classroom teaching experience is insufficiently considered. (IFS/WGA)

Criticizes the Mannheim Ratings (of teaching texts for German as a foreign language) for judging texts for their intrinsic excellence alone, omitting considerations of acceptability to teachers and students. There is no clear statement of teaching goals. However, the ratings are considered valuable for the questions and problems they discuss.…

One of the collaborators on the Mannheim Rating (of teaching texts for German as a foreign language) answers criticisms (in particular, the assertion that the ratings are based on purely theoretical considerations) and criticism of the evaluation criteria. It is hoped that a new version will profit from the criticisms. (IFS/WGA)

The success that the New Religious Right is having in censoring school textbooks and libraries is described. (MT)

Contends that if textbooks are to be improved it is essential that teachers, administrators, and textbook selectors become more demanding and discriminating consumers. Examines various textbook components that need improvement such as: (1) photographs; (2) basic skills exercises; (3) worksheets; and (4) content. (BSR)

Surveys eleven currently available undergraduate textbooks on industrial organization. Concludes that some texts have an economics emphasis and others a policy emphasis. Rates the content of each text according to established criteria. (JDH)

Ten college-level money and banking textbooks were arrayed along six continua representing professors' major preferences when choosing a text. The continua topics are theoretical approach, complexity of presentation, theory/institution mix, nuts and bolts explanations, organizational approach, and writing style. (RM)

Presents 30 questions about values in reading that teachers can review when deciding which stories and readers ought to be used with children. The questions are divided into five categories: characters depicted; story philosophy of values; plot development; cultural, social and physical setting; and emotional intensity. (NEC)

Sixty-one psychology textbooks were analyzed according to four criteria: student acceptance and interest, readability and human interest, comprehensiveness and size, and psychobiological content. This analytic approach can be used in all subjects to match text selection with course objectives in order to increase student satisfaction. (AM)

Textbook makers, buyers, and users are all suffering from censorship by vocal minorities. (DD)