Content analysis of 11 adult development textbooks examined coverage of 5 adult education topics. There was extensive discussion of adult intelligence across most of the textbooks, but little information about the roles and functions of adult education in promoting adult development. Textbooks need to link developmental research and theory to…

Ten introductory textbooks on mental retardation were analyzed with the Flesch formula for reading ease and interest. All texts fell in the "difficult, college level" category for complexity, but seven were classified as "dull" and three "mildly interesting." Most included adequate organizational aids, and agreement…

Examines 57 introductory sociology texts from the 1980s. Critically summarizes how "common sense" is presented, discusses the legitimacy of common sense from both a philosophical and sociological view point, and makes suggestions for a more adequate interpretation of the relationship between this concept and sociology as a science. (KO)

Discusses the "culture and commerce" surrounding standardized textbook production in the United States, focusing on college texts. To end "female enclaves" and other industry problems will require a long-term, politically and theoretically grounded ethnographic investigation that follows a textbook from its writing to its…

Based on recent critiques of Soviet and American textbooks, this article discusses educators' differing assumptions concerning what students should learn, who should decide what they learn, how students learn, how geography and history curriculum should be organized, and how much choice teachers should have. Includes eight references. (MLH)

Reviews the ethnographic criticism literature and considers its potential applications for the teaching of ethnographic writing. Discusses three major areas: (1) textbook organization; (2) use of first-person and other forms of narrative voice; and (3) teaching political awareness of choices of language and literary forms. (MW)

Analyzes six textbooks that were used in the public schools in the former German Democratic Republic from 1972 to 1990. The books are analyzed according to their pedagogical foundation, their content, and the socialist influence upon the content. (seven references) (JL)

A major problem in contemporary secondary school anthologies is the lack of discussion about the acculturating experiences of the dozens of European ethnic groups that have been migrating to this country for centuries. Criteria are proposed for selecting titles in European ethnic literature for students, and some titles are suggested. (SLD)

American history teachers should teach their students that their "objective" textbook represents only a limited part of American culture. Readings presenting alternative perspectives can emancipate students from texts, help them understand the authors' worldviews, and increase their cultural literacy. Principals must cultivate an atmosphere that…

The American Textbook Council asked 6 experts to review 19 leading secondary-level civics and history textbooks and several nonhistory social-studies texts to determine whether current texts recognize religion's contributions and whether religion has disappeared from the classroom. History texts improved coverage of religion considerably, if…

A review of secondary education and college biology textbooks published from 1900 through 1950 finds strong support for eugenics and Social Darwinism. These attitudes are related to effects of such recent books as "The Bell Curve" (by R. Herrnstein and C. Murray) for people with mental retardation. (DB)

Reports that a Texas advocacy group discovered thousands of errors in U.S. history textbooks. Notes that the books underwent the review after drawing favorable reactions from Texas education officials. Identifies possible explanations for the errors and steps being taken to reduce errors in the future. (SG)

Describes the sex bias present in a Latin text. Suggests some classroom activities to correct the biased view presented in the texts. Includes exploration of careers open to women in classical times, looking up Latin words for women, and rewriting reading lessons to contain a female character. (DK)

Examines the generalizability of selective-attention and academic-studying hypotheses to a modified science chart medium. Describes the questions designed to selectively focus students' attention on specific columns in a modified science chart, with the goal of improving student achievement on a test measuring learning of content contained in…

Discusses the sparse coverage of religion in United States history textbooks. Presents four such textbooks' explanations of the stories of Christopher Columbus and the Massachusetts Bay Colonies. Underscores the relative absence of detail about the religious underpinnings of the two historical situations. Identifies other U.S. historical events…