The lack of cultural content, low interest level, and crowdedness of second language textbooks arise because every textbook represents a compromise: between the publisher's need to sell a book and the author's need to address specific pedagogical issues, and between the need to explain grammatical points fully and the need to explain them briefly.…

Presents the views of three secondary-level teachers regarding the use of textbooks in geography instruction. (JDH)

In response to Ben Brodinsky's article, the authors submitted a paper describing the service they offer of reviewing textbooks and providing critiques. They maintain that educators no longer hold to the Judeo-Christian ethic, although three-fourths of Americans believe in these values. (MLF)

Reports, from personal textbook publishing experience, that composition teachers do not want the results of research in their textbooks; they want what's familiar to them. (JL)

Assuming that ability to communicate is the main goal of foreign language teaching, the article examines a textbook dialogue for its authenticity. An improved version is printed beside the original, and justifications for the changes are given. (Text is in German.) (IFS/WGA)

Integrates strategies and suggestions from professional books and articles to provide educators with an overview of components of the textbook selection process. Organizes the smorgasbord into three sections: the salad bar (initial screening), the main course (examination of textbooks), and the dessert bar (plans for implementation of the textbook…

Reviews four approaches to selecting language textbooks and outlines points to be considered before selecting. (CK)

Textbooks have come under a barrage of criticism ranging from overall textbook quality to changing costs. Litigation in the federal courts has challenged textbook content. New York State school boards need to examine the issues in the textbook problem. This paper explains New York State's textbook selection process, which is based on local…

In 1984, parents of a Minneapolis, Minnesota, ninth grader came before the school district's "Students' Right to Learn Committee" to object to what they described as a bowdlerized version of "Romeo and Juliet" in the Scott, Foresman text, and the publisher's failure to acknowledge in the text that the play was abridged. The…

The eight books examined in this study were the most recent editions of: Observing People and Places; Exploring Our Needs; At Home in Our Land; The Social Sciences: Concepts and Values; Communities and Social Needs; Learning About Communities: One Plus One; Investigating Man's World: Local Studies; and, Communities and their Needs. A group of six…

Examination of six approved biology textbooks indicates that not all the texts deal adequately with bioethical issues. A table of 25 bioethical issues and the pages on which they are discussed in each textbook is given. Suggests that scientific literacy includes the ability to apply science to relevant life situations. (MA)

Provides information concerning the development and use of the Textbook Questioning Strategies Assessment Instrument (TQSAI). (CP)

Asserts that the move to create more challenging textbooks abandons the lower-ability students, resulting in high dropout rates. Cautions that all students will not naturally gravitate toward higher academic levels simply because standards and expectations are upgraded. (MM)

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…