A new approach to measuring readability is proposed based on the analysis of texts as causally connected chains of actions, physical states, and mental states. Using the inference load formula reflecting the difficulty readers have in inferring causal connections, the difficulty of texts can be adjusted for readers differing in skill or knowledge.…

A team of faculty members and graduate students identified major concepts and developed validated test questions for two widely used textbooks in personal hygiene classes in order to standardize norms for classes and supplement inadequate instructor's manuals. (JMF)

Examines the ways in which composition essay anthologies shape and reflect the beliefs and teaching approaches of composition teachers. Focuses on how anthologies treat a widely reproduced essay, E.B. White's "Once More to the Lake." (TB)

Reviews sex equity in basal reading textbooks. Finds disturbing results when a 1993 study of characters in basals was compared with earlier (1960s-1980s) studies--limited progress has been made in correcting biases toward male characters. Finds that male characters continue to dominate in required reading instructional materials and also outnumber…

Gender inclusiveness is studied by a content analysis of index citations on women and women's issues in 36 introductory sociology textbooks published between 1982 and 1988. Finding that the amount of information on women averages less than five percent of the total pages, Hall compares textbooks by their rankings on overall inclusiveness and…

Compares selected authentic children's literature trade books with versions of them in 1993 basal readers from five textbook publishers across grade levels one, three, and five. Finds that publisher censorship still exists; important story elements are lost when illustrations are omitted; and readers miss important developments when only parts of…

Examines effects on recall and comprehension of a passage from a fourth-grade textbook and versions revised for greater coherence or to exhibit voice. Finds that, immediately after reading, the voiced coherent passage held significant advantage over all other passages in both recall and comprehension. Finds similar, though statistically…

Analyzes literature curricula and the canon represented in literature anthologies. Discusses the embedded power structure, the role of genre, women fiction writers, the role of "people of color" in the textbook canon, and the absence of dissenting voices. Concludes that the textbook canon does not affirm differences of opinion and of…

Evaluates college, high school, and middle school, textbook treatments of the ratification of the Constitution. Discusses treatment of the Federalist and Antiferalist views. Reports an imbalance between the two views in texts sampled. Attributes the imbalance to Federalist victory, herd mentality, and fear that inclusion of controversy will…

Reports the results of research concerning the portrayal of the sexes in music textbooks. Suggests that such portrayals may reinforce women's underrepresentation in music education. Reports that men in the illustrations were more likely than women to be identified and presented in formal portraits. Discusses the stereotypical association of the…

Notes that disasters are not simply large accidents but different kinds of events. Reviews journalism textbooks, finding that the authors who dealt with disaster coverage often state as fact what social scientists have shown to be inaccurate: most texts confuse accidents with disasters, are unaware panic is not a problem, and assume that complete…

Suggests that the textbook plays a role in the origin and subsequent development of a genre. Illustrates this by discussing the genre of the resume, which has risen to prominence in 20th-century professional job-search contexts. Concludes that authors of business discourse textbooks helped to stabilize the newly developed resume and disseminated…

Analyzes three popular series of primary textbooks to provide a picture of how the current curriculum contributes to the roles of establishing proficiency in arithmetic and proceptual thinking as a foundation for learning algebra. Shows that textbooks emphasize procedural knowledge and neglect developing a conceptual understanding of mathematics.…

Describes the results of an analysis of Spanish high school chemistry textbooks (n=58) published from 1974 to 1998 for their treatment of metallic bonding. Reports on what aspects of metallic bonding are usually taught, how it is taught, and the potential that textbooks have to create meaningful learning in students. Contains 104 references.…

Finds that textbook prefaces are used by authors both to help the audience use the book and to convince them of its value, which accounts for relevant features of prefaces: the frequent use of textual metadiscourse and the pervasive presence of evaluation. Discusses evaluative criteria used in prefaces and how they are related to the audience's…