Language Arts teachers must be vigilant in their selection of books for students because of racist and sexist stereotypes. (Author)

An experiment to test the effect of textbooks in a one year economic principles course at Temple University (1968-1969) is partially reported. Using the Test of Understanding College Economics (TUCE) as the dependent variable, no significant difference was found between classes using a variety of textbooks. (DB)

The Raygor Readability Estimate, described in this article, is much like the widely used Fry Readability Graph, except that it determines vocabulary difficulty by counting words of six or more letters, rather than by counting syllables. An evaluation found that Raygor was faster and easier to use and more objective than the Fry method. (RM)

Adult leisure piano classes and other piano classes differ in many ways. Adult leisure classes require different objectives, textbooks, scheduling, and lesson plans. (Author/AM)

In response to Ben Brodinsky's article, the authors submitted a paper describing the service they offer of reviewing textbooks and providing critiques. They maintain that educators no longer hold to the Judeo-Christian ethic, although three-fourths of Americans believe in these values. (MLF)

Reports, from personal textbook publishing experience, that composition teachers do not want the results of research in their textbooks; they want what's familiar to them. (JL)

Offers arguments for the use of published textbook material as a basis on which to mold the unpredictable interactions necessary to classroom language learning. Suggests that textbooks are useful for orientation and independent study and describes the gradual process of replacement by which new textbook materials evolve. (Author/MES)

Discusses why teachers must help to review and/or select textbooks on a regular basis and how they can participate in this process. A slightly revised edition of the criteria used by the State of Michigan Social Studies Review Steering Committee illustrates critical factors that must be considered in evaluating textbooks. (SR)

Argues that educators faced with community concerns over the selection of instructional materials should devise an instrument to measure the attitudes of school board members (who represent the community) and teachers concerning the choice of reading materials dealing with controversial subjects. Includes a copy of such a survey instrument. (FL)

Presents a checklist developed by the International Reading Association's Committee for Basic Education and Reading, which is designed to help teachers select materials to meet the special needs and interests of adult basic education learners and to make objective judgments based on a clear evaluation process. (MKM)

Notes that boys continue to be portrayed in reading materials in activities stereotypically associated with males, such as sports, adventure, and leadership; suggests that reading materials are needed that show boys in nurturing and expressive roles as well. (MKM)

Provides a checklist to aid the elementary and secondary educator in selecting a social studies textbook or curriculum package. The three-page checklist considers the textbook's philosophy and objectives, instructional materials, teacher's manual, supplementary materials, and administrative concerns. (KC)

The premise that the "subjective" defense of literature is contributing to its demise and that responses to literature are finite and predictable to some degree is proposed. Based on this premise, criteria for selecting texts that give structure to teaching literature are presented. (HTH)