Intellectual demands of learning outcomes in the intended curriculum have always been a concern across the field of science education. In particular, the representation of those learning outcomes stipulated by the intended curriculum in science textbooks has become a big issue for both science curriculum studies and science teaching practice. To…

Discusses the problems involved in textbook publication, stressing the importance of providing a broad-gauged national history in the face of opposition from religious and other special interest groups. Expresses the need for educators and others to form advocacy groups or lobby for improved textbook writing and content. (GEA)

A READING PROJECT WAS INITIATED BY THE NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF EDUCATION IN INDIA TO (1) PRODUCE TEXTBOOKS AND WORKBOOKS, FIELD TEST THE BOOKS, AND TRAIN TEACHERS TO USE THEM, (2) PRODUCE TEACHERS MANUALS, (3) CONSTRUCT FIRST-GRADE TESTS, (4) CONSTRUCT ACHIEVEMENT TESTS, AND (5) PRODUCE THESE BOOKS IN HINDI. THE ENSUING GUIDE FOR THOSE WHO WRITE AND…

A reading project was initiated by the National Institute of Education in India to (1) produce textbooks and workbooks, field test the books, and train teachers to use them, (2) produce teachers manuals, (3) construct first-grade tests, (4) construct achievement tests, and (5) produce these books in Hindi. The ensuing guide for those who write and…

In the fall of 1984, the Education Commission of the States (ECS) was awarded a grant from the U.S. Secretary of Education's Discretionary Fund to identify alternative state roles for improving instructional materials in mathematics. To help state leaders define an appropriate and effective role in upgrading these materials, ECS proposed first to…

Publishers of textbooks are subject to pressure from public opinion and regional bias as well as criticism from teachers and boards of education. (JD)

Controversy has been generated by a right-wing group over the merit of various high school American history textbooks. The author argues that his textbook fits all ethical categories. (JN)

In order to prevail as viable instruments for learning in this day of close scrutiny and increased demands, textbooks must improve to meet society's expectations and educational trends. After discussing alternatives to textbooks and criticism of how textbooks are written, considers nine educational principles that textbooks can be expected to…

Recalls the development of the International Textbook Institute whose main aim was to overcome prejudice and the outmoded values of the national state as contained in textbooks. Discusses the contributions of the Council of Europe and UNESCO in revising textbooks and suggests methods of textbook research. (Author/RK)

This booklet addresses the question of what is wrong with textbooks and then shows how textbooks can be improved through the selection process. A conceptual scheme is proposed as the basis of the selection process. Specific attributes and features to look for when selecting textbooks, based on this conceptual scheme, are discussed. Five categories…

The paper analyzes seven widely-used fifth grade social studies textbooks with the hypothesis that texts are unnecessarily loaded with poorly conceived instructional design features that often do not relate to content or skills and tend to minimize the primary function of the texts. Using present and future challenges facing the United States as a…