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…

This article describes an approach to developing student reading materials that support middle school learners in a project-based, inquiry curriculum for grades 6 through 8. Reading materials are designed to encourage sense making beyond the classroom, as students read and write about science as it takes place in a classroom and as it occurs in…

This paper summarizes the findings of a study examining the impact of standards-based and curriculum reforms on the role of curriculum materials in educational systems in the United Kingdom, the United States of America, and Australia. Concepts derived from a model of decision-oriented evaluation were applied to define a typology to classify…

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)

Frances FitzGerald's critique of American social studies and history curricula in "America Revised" is reviewed. The conclusion drawn is that censorship, special interests, and marketability exercise too great an influence on the textbook industry. (JMF)

Discusses a study which investigated effects of the New Social Studies movement on social studies textbooks published in the 1970s. Topics discussed include characteristics of the New Social Studies, textbook analysis, and changes reflected in textbooks from 1950 to 1970. (Author/DB)