Uses a modified Chambers' Draw-a-Scientist Test (DAST) to examine elementary and middle school students' (n=289) images of science and scientists. Reports an increase in sophistication and complexity in the images according to progressively higher grade levels. Concludes that students often draw images strikingly similar to those presented in…

A textbook author tells of her early struggle to become a textbook writer, the long journey and the many detours she took along the way to getting her first textbook published. Having identified early in her career that writing a textbook was her chosen way to have an impact on her field of organization theory, she encountered many obstacles 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…

How a teacher and students wrote their own textbook. (HB)

Describes the problems inherent in the publishing industry's use of outside reviewers to determine the worth of textbook manuscripts. (IRT)

Describes how the author of "Molly's Pilgrim" struggled to retain the religious references in her story when it was adapted for a grade school reading textbook. (KH)

Focusing on areas of contention, the author responds to "Principles of Economics Textbooks: Innovation and Product Differentiation" by Stiglitz. Contends that Stiglitz's description of principles textbooks is insufficient, states that the textbook market is more oligopolistic than monopolistic, and cautions writers against deleting parts…

Closet drama illustrating how the desire for mass commercial acceptability may cause a stimulating and informative textbook to end up in an editor's wastebasket. (DE)

Specific guidelines for having textbook manuscripts published are presented with emphasis on procedures used by commercial textbook publishers. (JMF)

Defines developmental editing as more than copy editing but less than actually writing the book. Explains how a developmental editor can assist textbook authors in developing a book's structure and writing style. Discusses some aspects of a career as a developmental editor. (DDR)

TO BE REALISTIC, THE ENTIRE RANGE OF AMERICAN LIFE IN URBAN AS WELL AS RURAL COMMUNITIES SHOULD BE PORTRAYED IN TEXTBOOKS. THERE IS MUCH CONCERN WITH THE ROLE PUBLISHERS PLAY IN DETERMINING TEXTBOOKS AVAILABLE FOR USE IN URBAN SCHOOLS, BECAUSE THERE IS A PARTICULAR NEED TO DESCRIBE THE SPECIAL CONDITIONS UNDER WHICH MINORITY PEOPLES LIVE IN URBAN…