Although textbooks summarize large quantities of data and have some advantages, they may discourage conceptual thinking, critical analysis, and evaluation. Comprehendability and its elements (coherence, sequence, match, transition, and self-monitoring) should be major criteria for textbook adoption. (SK)

Developing a curriculum is a task that is often discounted in many school corporations during the course of selecting new textbooks. Most school corporations simply adopt a publisher's text and design a curriculum around it. This paper describes some fundamental elements of an effective public-relations program and ways in which the elements can…

Designed to outline minimum course content for Arizona public schools, this K-12 curriculum guide is divided into 3 sections covering philosophy, goals, and scope and sequence. The stated philosophy emphasizes appreciation of history and culture, skill in acquiring and validating knowledge, critical thinking, and appreciation of…

The problem was a study of the content found in five commonly offered basic business courses in secondary schools to determine whether the subject matter in each course is sufficiently unique to justify the continued offering of the current series of courses or whether the content is so repetitious that further consideration of the consolidation…

Manitoba's curriculum guide for German 100, 200, and 300 is designed to (1) make teachers of these courses aware of the official policy concerning the nature, goals, and objectives of the courses and approved teaching materials, and (2) provide instructional guidelines. The guide provides information about three sets of teaching materials from…

Discusses a new Australian Academy of Science secondary chemistry textbook that provides a more interesting, enjoyable, and understandable base to a wider spread of students. Notes that rigor is maintained for use in college prep courses. Lists context for change, guiding philosophies, and the table of contents. (MVL)

The Manitoba Department of Education's curriculum guide to German instruction in grades 7 through 9 presents the approved curriculum, makes recommendations for its implementation, and provides information about sets of teaching materials from which teachers can make appropriate selections. The guide outlines the rationale for the curriculur and…

The paper is designed to aid social studies educators and teachers in selecting curriculum materials. It is presented in three sections. Section I outlines problems involved in choosing among curricula. These problems include similarity of traditional social studies textbooks; recent proliferation of innovative curricula which have not been…