This study examined the changing content of history textbooks in Northern Ireland, drawing on a sample of 15 textbooks published from 1968 to 2010. Findings from the content and narrative analysis indicated that following the introduction of the Northern Ireland Curriculum in 1991, history textbooks shifted from a narrative to source-driven…

Teaching heritage to a nation is important. The Israeli Arab curriculum on Druse heritage helps students connect religion with modern society. The textbooks that are still used were written in the end of the 1970s and do not reflect the changing reality of Druse women. This research shows that women must be portrayed in more diverse roles in…

In this paper we share findings of a textbook analysis in which we explored the treatment of segregated education in eight, widely-used secondary United States history and government textbooks. We positioned our findings within the historiography related to the African American school experience which challenges the notion that the lack of…

Ten recent editions of secondary school-level United States history textbooks were analyzed to determine coverage and balance of the Vietnam War. Treatment of topics such as Vietnamese culture, the roles of wartime leaders, the aims of the United States government, the antiwar movement, and costs of the war are discussed. (PP)

Examined is the extent to which trends found in high school biology textbooks are also found in earth science texts. Procedures, book lists, and summaries are presented. It is recommended that more emphasis be placed on the theory of evolution in future editions of earth science textbooks. (CW)

The role of religion in American society has been ignored by textbook publishers and is not being taught in U.S. schools. The support for the separation of church and state is eroding as a result. Includes a sidebar providing supplementary resource materials on religion for use by teachers. (MD)

Surveys the content of 13 elementary social studies methods texts published between 1981 and 1988. Disregarding quality or length of coverage, Breiter identifies common topics in social studies methods texts as well as social/controversial issues and skills coverage. Suggests how this information might be used in text selection or course renewal…

Discusses changing views taken by contemporary history texts and courses of African-Americans, and other minorities. Warns that the subject of slavery can be an uncomfortable one to teach but needs to be addressed. Provides reviews of World Wide Web sites that provide a good overview of African-American history. (DSK)

In recent years European textbook research has begun to examine the topics of ethnic minorities, multiculturalism, hostility to foreigners, and racism. Its task is not only to ask whether textbooks should present such topics but also how they should be presented. In addressing the issues, an important question to answer is whether the textbooks…

Pressure from scholars, educators, fundamentalists, and others has convinced publishers that textbooks are weak in religion, classics, social studies, and science. Publishers, pushed by new content standards set by California and other states, seem ready to change their content and approach. (Author/MSE)

This report brings together recent research, analysis, and textbook evaluations to explain what lies behind today's school wars over teaching about religion. It concludes that textbook controversies involving religion are an important part of a large cultural debate. Some of the most divisive and important curriculum issues of current times,…

Maintains that most history textbooks support the traditional view that dropping the atom bomb on Hiroshima (Japan) was necessary to end World War II and save U.S. lives. Briefly articulates the revisionist view that the bombing's main purpose was to intimidate the Soviet Union. Reviews six textbooks. (MJP)

Focusing on current knowledge of the textbook in American education and society, the 18 papers in this collection represent the views of educators, publishers, state and federal education officers, librarians, authors, and industry critics. Papers in the first section, "Textbooks and Literacy," deal with the role of the textbook in the curriculum;…

This section, from a larger report describing a project designed to systematically investigate how religious and traditional values are represented in today's public school curricula, presents a review of the literature focusing on studies that have analyzed the treatment of religion and values in elementary and secondary textbooks. This survey is…

This documents reviews books, general collected works, reports, and journal articles published since 1975 on research about selected aspects of instructional materials and their relationship to teaching and learning and educational decision-making in the context of curriculum reform in Australian education. The introductory review has two main…