Criticizes the goals stated in the Mannheim Rating (of teaching texts for German as a foreign language) as being vaguely defined, and the criteria as being faultily formulated. Not considered are: text science, learning psychology, and psychology of motivation. Actual classroom teaching experience is insufficiently considered. (IFS/WGA)

Criticizes the Mannheim Ratings (of teaching texts for German as a foreign language) for judging texts for their intrinsic excellence alone, omitting considerations of acceptability to teachers and students. There is no clear statement of teaching goals. However, the ratings are considered valuable for the questions and problems they discuss.…

One of the collaborators on the Mannheim Rating (of teaching texts for German as a foreign language) answers criticisms (in particular, the assertion that the ratings are based on purely theoretical considerations) and criticism of the evaluation criteria. It is hoped that a new version will profit from the criticisms. (IFS/WGA)

Describes a series of censorship-related incidents in Louisiana and outlines the actions taken by English educators to assure freedom in textbook selection; suggests several courses of action that educators facing censorship of school-related materials might take. (MAI)

Advocates using the cloze procedure and varying the criteria of success, according to the group, in order to determine the readability of instructional materials. (MKM)

Textbook evaluation guidelines are presented for the selection of health texts for use in elementary-secondary school classes. (MJB)

The success that the New Religious Right is having in censoring school textbooks and libraries is described. (MT)

Contends that if textbooks are to be improved it is essential that teachers, administrators, and textbook selectors become more demanding and discriminating consumers. Examines various textbook components that need improvement such as: (1) photographs; (2) basic skills exercises; (3) worksheets; and (4) content. (BSR)

Discusses content, perspective, and level of analysis of nine recent books suitable for use in an undergraduate course on the role of women in the labor market. Four books are judged more suitable as standard textbooks; the remaining five function better as collections of supplementary readings. (Author/DH)

Reports that variation in textbook prices is not correlated with textbook quality as judged by instructors and that university faculty are less price conscious when selecting textbooks than are community college faculty. States that, if faculty had greater access to price information, textbook prices would decrease. Makes recommendations for…

If the textbook and material selection process is to be adequately supported in school budgets, curriculum directors, teachers, and administrators must be able to defend their requests with high-quality information. This article offers nine suggestions to help build a leadership structure and a database for making appropriate textbook selections.…

Surveys eleven currently available undergraduate textbooks on industrial organization. Concludes that some texts have an economics emphasis and others a policy emphasis. Rates the content of each text according to established criteria. (JDH)

Ten college-level money and banking textbooks were arrayed along six continua representing professors' major preferences when choosing a text. The continua topics are theoretical approach, complexity of presentation, theory/institution mix, nuts and bolts explanations, organizational approach, and writing style. (RM)

This paper attempts to relate the needs of lecturers and students of developmental psychology in introductory courses, of teachers, parents and lay discussion groups, to recently published and widely available books. (Author/KM)