High-quality K-12 instructional materials can meaningfully improve teaching practice and student achievement, especially when paired with professional learning support. Yet state policymakers have usually left ultimate authority for textbook selection to school district leaders. Consequently, the quality of materials across U.S. classrooms and…

Too frequently textbooks used in class are criticized heavily by educators. In and of itself, a textbook is neither good nor bad. If the text has been carefully chosen, there may be reasons for criticizing its use. Textbooks should always be carefully evaluated when new basals are chosen so that the very best one(s) are selected for a class.…

A recent survey of some 3,000 administrators across the United States revealed a wide range of textbook selection procedures. (WD)

Readability formulas can be useful tools in accomplishing their primary purpose--to give very general estimates of difficulty. Unfortunately, there has been a great deal of misunderstanding regarding their use, which has resulted in misuse and abuse. The formulas were designed to be applied post hoc to existing materials. They were not intended to…

Discusses roles of scholars, interpreters of scholarship (instructional materials developers), and teachers in bringing appropriate instructional materials to students. The responsibility of textbook publishers to meet teachers' needs for appropriate materials with materials developed by scholars and interpreters is described, and the relationship…

Differentiating textbooks is modifying or adapting textbooks in ways that make them easier for students to read and comprehend and then to retain what they have read. This book explains how teachers can motivate their students as they are confronted with text which is generally written in a "less-than-engaging" expository style. The strategies…

Compares the production and selection of textbooks in the United Kingdom and North America with respect to such areas as derivation of textbook ideas, evaluation of the ideas, production, distribution, how and by whom the books are bought, and limitations on certain textbook topics. (GT)

Argues there is a problem with how California local school boards and district administration interpret curriculum and instruction in terms of their role in the evaluation of schools, teachers, and students. Notes that the California Teachers Association proposed legislation that would allow teachers to negotiate their role in decision-making…

Intended for use by Title I teachers, this handbook is designed to aid in the selection and use of commercially prepared reading games and game-like teaching materials that teach or reinforce (1) basic sight vocabulary, (2) spelling, (3) word meaning, (4) comprehension, (5) reading readiness, (6) perception, (7) study, (8) listening, (9) fluency,…

Intended for use by Title I reading teachers, this handbook is designed to aid in answering questions about the selection and use of instructional materials. The handbook lists materials according to the following skill areas: (1) auditory discrimination, (2) comprehension, (3) critical thinking, (4) dictionary skills; (5) fine motor skills, (6)…

This document consists of the two issues of "English Teachers' Journal (Israel)" issued during 1992. Articles include: "Information for English Teachers"; "Announcements for Bagrut Teachers and Examiners"; "News from Educational Television" (Lily Vered and Others); "News from E.T.A.I. (English Teachers'…