Compares standards in primary school mathematics in England and Cyprus, drawing upon national curricula, textbook content, and international comparisons of attainment. Finds that "expected" and planned standards were higher in Cyprus than England but were not associated with higher student achievement. Explores four possible…

Compares books used in the elementary schools of different regions of Imperial Germany around the turn of the century. Asks how regionally controlled schools contributed to building German national identity. Argues that identity-formation was based on shared values and loyalty to homeland while acknowledging the different parts of the nation. (DSK)

Examines the value of ignorance questions, or "a question stimulated by class material but not directly related to it," in ten different courses using student evaluations of this technique and their scores on written examination questions. Reveals that students find writing ignorance questions valuable. (CMK)

Analyzes six U.S. civics and history textbooks used in grades seven through nine to determine what messages these texts convey to young people about the nature of civic life. Explores the results in three sections: (1) learning about the nature of democracy; (2) national identity and loyalty; and (3) diversity. (CMK)

Explains that writing national history involves much more than arranging facts and dates, which is why, over 50 years after the end of World War II, the Japanese are still arguing about what actually happened during that time, Japan's role in war crimes and aggressive actions, and how to present it all in textbooks. (SM)

Argues that declarative writing about science that presents historical or biographical information incorrectly is not acceptable. (WRM)

Presents a comparative analysis of 15 brief introductory psychology textbooks for teachers who want a leaner introductory text. Focuses on length, pedagogical aids, and topic coverage. States that there is enough variability among the texts to accommodate teachers' preferences and needs. Includes a bibliography of the textbooks. (CMK)

Examines 17 undergraduate cognitive psychology textbooks published in the United States with copyright dates between 1995 and 1999. Intends to facilitate textbook selection through a comparison of text length, reference citations, content, pedagogy, and illustrative material. Reveals that the textbooks diverge on topical emphasis. Includes an…

It would be a mistake to underestimate the challenge of any attempt to elevate the current status of textbook research. The negativity surrounding textbooks in terms of use and status as both literary objects and vehicles for pedagogy is profound. There is a very deep-seated "anti-textbook ethos" witnessed throughout the education business. This…

This study aims at presenting a grid for analysing the way the language employed in Greek school science textbooks tends to project pedagogic messages. These messages are analysed for the different school science subjects (i.e., Physics, Chemistry, Biology) and educational levels (i.e., primary and lower secondary level). The analysis is made…

Mathematics textbooks are critical tools for student learning in American classrooms. Teachers use them daily to plan and deliver lessons, and students use them in class to explore and learn mathematics. Given textbooks' potential to support student learning, it is important to understand how they are developed. While pressure is growing on…

Textbooks play a central role in Taiwanese education. In the wake of the political reform and social protest movements of the 1970s and 1980s that led to Taiwanese educational reform, critics assert that traditional textbooks reinforce the dominant national Chinese cultural identity without considering the specific perspectives and voices of…

"Teaching English by Design" is two books in one: a primer for teaching secondary English and a comprehensive guide to creating and using four to six-week instructional units. Peter Smagorinsky shares important insight about students, how they learn, and what kinds of classrooms support their achievement in reading and writing. Then he uses those…

This book is based on author interviews with Latino teachers who have a range of teaching experience, in schools with significant Latino immigrant populations, offering an insider's perspective on the educational challenges facing Latinos. Teacher stories offer insights gained from experiences coming up through the K-12 system as students, and…

This book provides Canadian high school students with information regarding Jewish history in Canada. The book is comprised of 21 chapters featuring the most important phases of Jewish life in Canada during the last two and a half centuries. Chapter titles include: "Europe Discovers America"; "The First Jews in Canada";…