The 16 US history textbooks reviewed failed to incorporate economists' research on the causes of the Great Depression and consistently presented information that the economics profession has rejected. Strategies that social studies educators might adopt to improve the quality of economic analysis in textbooks is suggested. (Author/RM)

Examines shortcomings of the predominant elementary social studies curriculum approach, expanding environments. Analyzes a fourth-grade text to illustrate the ways that materials reinforce this approach. Suggests that freeing the curriculum from the developmental theory of expanding environments would foster a variety of organizational patterns…

Cognition research can be used to improve social studies textbook design. Salient findings from research dealing with information processing styles, developmental differences, retention of key materials, and instructional principles are reviewed. Illustrative implications of these findings for the design of social studies texts are presented.…

An analysis of the way 10 high school economics textbooks treat the topics of other economic systems, labor, role of government, and environment showed that the texts present free enterprise principles to the exclusion of other ideas. Topics which, if included, would provide a more balanced overall treatment are discussed. (RM)

Reports on a study of "considerateness" of five fifth-grade social studies textbooks. Identifies four elements of considerateness: (1) readability level; (2) placement of relevant pictures or illustrations; (3) use of subtitles; and (4) use of words and phrases to connect ideas within and between sentences. (CFR)

Curricular materials of the past have much to offer researchers and educators today. In this article, I examine two pieces of instructional material, a textbook entitled "People of Denver" and a unit on the inequalities of opportunities available to minority groups in Denver. Both these items were written in Denver, by Denver teachers at…

Asserts that decisions regarding textbook content China are political and determined by the central government. Reports on a study of 15 elementary and secondary geography textbooks published between 1948 and 1991. Finds that the image of the United States portrayed in these books has changed dramatically. (CFR)