The purpose of this article was to review published research literature about procedures used to select textbooks in the USA. The contents of books, collected works, reports and journal articles were analysed, and summaries of the contents were then organised chronologically to present a commentary on the topic. The results showed that procedures…

This handbook has been developed to assist school districts in the adoption of textbooks. The criteria for establishing a textbook selection process are included, as well as selection criteria for specific subject areas. Procedural steps are initially outlined for preliminary activities, book examination procedure, and implementation, and then a…

The California State Board of Education is responsible for adopting textbooks and instructional materials for use in kindergarten through grade eight. The purposes of the instructional materials program are to: (1) establish clear standards for the educational and social content of texbooks and instructional materials; (2) evaluate instructional…

Because the state of Texas is the largest single market for secondary texts in the nation and because its state adoption process has drawn a small but well-organized group of protestors, the Texas textbook adoption process has begun to shape textbooks in use nationwide. A study was conducted to examine the arguments most recently used by citizens…

To assist California school district personnel in their selection of state-adopted instructional materials, this catalog of literature materials consists of four parts. The first, an annotated index of instructional materials identified as basic materials, gives pertinent information about each literature program, including program title, year of…

Changes in textbook adoption policies in three states--North Carolina, Texas, and California--are examined in this paper, which analyzes major legislative or regulatory changes in the context of each state's educational improvement efforts. Findings indicate a growing conflict between advocates for statewide versus local responsibility for…

In an effort to better understand the intents of those policies that prescribe state-level textbook adoption, a study collected and analyzed data from (1) the textbook adoption statutes of each of the 22 "state adoption" states, (2) documents and policy manuals produced by the state departments of education of each of these 22 states,…

The instructional materials listed in this document were reviewed by a California Legal Compliance Committee using the social content requirements of the Educational Code concerning the depiction of males and females, ethnic groups, older persons, disabled persons, and others to ensure that the materials were responsive to social concerns.…

The Texas Education Agency has developed this guide to assist members of local textbook committees who are responsible for studying and selecting textbooks and learning systems for use in Texas school districts. The State Board of Education has approved all the listed textbooks, but it does not recommend specific books. Rather, general criteria…

To determine what procedures and criteria are being used in states with state-wide textbook adoption and to determine what similarities and differences might exist from state to state, state textbook administrators in such states were asked to respond to a 39-item questionnaire and to supply materials that explained their states' procedures and…

Discusses the conflicts and controversies associated with public acceptance of certain teaching materials and textbooks. Cites specific court cases and outlines the issues involved in the adoption process. Reviews efforts taken by different states in addressing the quality of instructional materials. (ML)

In compliance with Title 14, Section 12 of the Delaware Code, this document sets forth statewide policies and guidelines developed by the Delaware State Board of Education for selecting textbooks and other educational materials. After a brief introduction and a policy statement, recommendations are provided to local school districts for…