Two representative samples of expository prose from sixth grade textbooks (one in science and one in social studies) were analyzed for clarity of explanation. Four text criteria were applied to the analyses: structure, unity, coherence, and audience appropriateness. The results of the analysis suggested that many children's textbooks are not…

A content analysis of a 1976 series of primary reading textbooks was conducted to analyze salient factors affecting female role socialization. Examined in its entirety, the series was designed for grades one through six and contained 573 entries and 4,831 illustrations. In each of the textbooks, regardless of grade level, twice as many males as…

The target population of this project consists of students enrolled in four regional vocational education centers which serve selected students who desire to receive enriched and specialized vocational education during the 11th and 12th years of public school. The project goals for the first year related to identification of students' reading…

This investigation analyzes 16 current reading series in order to: (1) determine if sex stereotyping exists in reading materials for grades 1-10, (2) determine if a majority of the stories show one sex in a dominant role, (3) explore types of career roles shown for females and males, and (4) determine the number of different career roles depicted…

Concludes that the American Indian is misrepresented, distorted, romanticized and victimized in children's literature. (JH)

Provides results of a survey of how 90 elementary and secondary teachers used their content area and English textbooks. Reports that both elementary and secondary teachers use textbooks primarily to supplement instruction, but that secondary content area teachers could benefit from inservice education to assist in flexible use of textbooks. (SKC)

Reports on a content analysis of 14 textbooks on endocrinology. Using thyrotoxicosis as the content maker, the study indicated major differences between books with regard to the information provided and the number of words devoted to the subject. Suggests that medical teachers selecting textbooks be aware of such differences. (TW)

Presents a critical analysis of "An Outline of American Geography," a textbook distributed free to teachers in the United Kingdom and other European countries by the Embassy of the United States. While bias is present in the text, the use of dated material is deemed its most severe shortcoming. (JDH)

An analysis of 12 secondary economics textbooks revealed that the economic issues of poverty, unemployment, and labor as they relate to Blacks and Hispanics are often ignored. Economics texts would be greatly improved if critical work led to the inclusion of even such rudimentary information as race-specific employment data. (RM)

Examines six randomly selected reading methods textbooks to determine the authors' perspectives on commercial reading materials and their use in elementary school classrooms. Concludes that most authors are relatively uncritical in their advocacy of commercial materials. (FL)

Many preschool and grade 1 picture books contain sexist and racist stereotypes. (JH)

Using a cross-section of European secondary school history textbooks, a study examined general developments in the presentation of history over the last decades. Three to 5 textbooks from 13 European countries were examined. Until the mid-1960s textbooks were primarily concerned with the history of the particular state or nation, but over the last…

A study examined the contents of 18 public relations textbooks published between 1991-1997 to determine the quality of minority inclusion. Results indicated that, of the 8,071 pages examined, 97 pages included minorities. Findings suggest that the results of this study were not significantly different from those of a similar, earlier study of…

World history textbooks currently used in U.S. high schools adopt Western civilization as the integrating element of world history. The high school world history approach with Western civilization as the essence was a product of the late 19th century and early 20th century. The historical consciousness of this period continues to influence…

Reports research intended to determine whether the multitude of instructional materials prepared as a result of the recent interest in Afro-American history were in agreement with recent historical scholarship. (Author/JM)