Argues that C. H. Knoblauch and Lil Brannon's "Rhetorical Traditions and the Teaching of Writing" misrepresents and misunderstands the benefits of classical rhetoric to composition and that writing instructors who oppose the use of principles of ancient rhetoric must re-assess the value of classical rhetoric today. (SKC)

Presents the first half of a 1971 critique of Palmer and Colton's textbook, "History of the Modern World," which suggests that western civilization courses sponsor a view of history that supports the dominant institutions and interest groups within a society. Examines the review's inadequacies while reaffirming the authors' confidence in…

States that U.S. historians have dismissed the Spanish Borderlands as irrelevant historic development of the United States. Reports that a survey of history textbooks used in U.S. colleges and universities revealed this lack of interest. Discusses early historiography of Spanish Texas, stating that recent research compels historians to reevaluate…

This article offers four models of what may be going wrong in the transmission of thinking skills from textbooks and teachers to students. Sources of the problem are identified and possible solutions, alternatives, and strategies of "teaching for thinking" are described. (JL)

Offers the author's own experiences with the textbook publishing process to point out that authors and publishers produce textbooks which sell, that textbooks which sell continue in print and inspire imitators, and that teachers' power in the process stems from their choices about which textbooks they will use. (JAD)

Responding to Bell's article "The Principles of Economics from Now until Then," McConnell focuses on several issues of disagreement. Discusses competing macroeconomic theories, the internationalization of textbooks, pedagogical priorities, and the future of economics textbooks. Argues that professors need to do a more objective job of…

Described are two kinds of mathematical communications. Discusses how language is used to communicate mathematics, especially as it relates to the triangle formed by writer, text, and reader. (PK)

Suggests that the loss of early American rhetorical traditions encouraged approaches to writing that emphasized prescriptive rules without acknowledging the art involved in the process, but that current "practical rhetoric" is more aligned with the art of composing and is both theoretically and empirically based. (SKC)

Surveys twenty-two U.S. history textbooks for pictures which suggest possible heroes and role models. Results show a domination of pictures of male political leaders with several minority members and women scattered throughout. Includes list of books reviewed and a chart showing the number of pictures per person for junior high and high school…

Asserts that the move to create more challenging textbooks abandons the lower-ability students, resulting in high dropout rates. Cautions that all students will not naturally gravitate toward higher academic levels simply because standards and expectations are upgraded. (MM)

Because American history and social studies textbooks are "official chronicles of the nation's past and influence the next generation's social understanding, content controversies abound. This article discusses the editorial ahistoricism, arid language, and disembodied figures characterizing most texts, reviews past successful models, and suggests…

Determined whether males, females, minorities, and nonminorities are quantitatively and qualitatively represented in the illustrations of seven contemporary elementary science textbooks (grades 1-6) in a manner that is reflective of society as it was, is, and should be. Results (based on examination of over 5,900 illustrations) are reported and…

Presents a study which examined the portrayal of Blacks in 11 secondary United States history textbooks and compared them to a set of textbooks published between 1965 and 1975. Reports that the treatment of Black Americans is only adequate, but has improved significantly. Provides recommendations for further progress. (KH)

Maintains that recent statements from United States Department of Education officials are in direct opposition to National Council for the Social Studies (NCSS) curriculum guidelines. Provides examples from seven high school textbooks to demonstrate accurate treatment of totalitarian regimes and urges social studies educators to oppose official…

Reports the results of a longitudinal textbook study designed to assess the level of treatment given Irish, Italian, Jewish, and Polish Americans in selected United States history textbooks. Results show that coverage briefly increased in the "multicultural period" (from 1977 to 1978) but has significantly decreased in recent years. (JDH)