Theme speech delivered before the Cortland, New York, College Conference, May, 1973. (RJ)

This speech calls attention to some recent judicial developments relative to the public school curriculum (curriculum being defined to encompass all experiences provided for public school students under the aegis of public school authorities). Curricular elements, be they whole courses or single words, may be analyzed legally in terms of whether…

To tackle the issue of sex discrimination in social studies, three areas need to be changed: employment patterns, curriculum materials, and sexist behavior in schools. (JR)

This guide is based on one published by the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics in 1980. The guidelines are presented in an effort to assist in the selection of textbooks. There are two major sections. The first, How to Get Started, has sections on: Reviewing Objectives; Assessing the Program; Selecting the Evaluation Committee; Developing…

MATERIAL CONCERNING MINORITY GROUPS SHOULD BE PRESENTED IF IMPORTANT TO AN ADEQUATE UNDERSTANDING OF THE SUBJECT MATTER. PRESENTATION SHOULD BE MATURE AND REALISTIC, AND TREATMENT SHOULD REFLECT A RESPECT FOR CULTURAL DIFFERENCES AND HUMAN DIGNITY. A CHECKLIST IS INCLUDED TO AID THE TEACHER IN SELECTING TEXTBOOKS WHICH GIVE ADEQUATE PRESENTATION…

This report of a curriculum seminar at Washington State University is focused on the use of textbooks in both schools and libraries. Incorporated within Chapter 1 are topics concerning the textbook industry and how it works, a short discussion of the publishing structure, and information about the developmental costs of both curriculum and…

Two brief studies on community college social science textbook readability are compiled in this document. The first study compared textbook readability in 1977 to the findings of previous research. When the readability levels of community college social science textbooks were compared with the reading levels of the community college population in…

This guide provides teachers, authors, and editors with a fuller knowledge of economics textbook alternatives. The guide consists of four parts which provide information on 41 college economic texts published 1970-72. Part 1 is a guide to text identification through such objective factors as approach, length, price, rigor, publisher, title,…

The objective of this study was to collect "baseline" data with which to examine a complex process in the educational system--the selection of educational materials. The first part of the study analyzes the statutes of the fifty states which bear upon selection and purchase of educational materials. The purpose of this analysis is to…

Most social studies methods course textbooks concentrate on planning, assuming the teacher will operate as his own curriculum developer and packager. Curriculum development projects prepackage materials and often include specific instructions on how to use them. Only a few textbooks and projects incorporate selecting/adapting skill development the…

Minority groups should be accurately presented in educational materials for all school children, especially those with minority backgrounds. Materials should avoid giving the minority child a negative self-image. Life should be portrayed as it is, including harsh realities. Factual material must reflect authoritative, comprehensive, and current…

The objectives of this study were two-fold: (1) evaluating the conservation content in the elementary, intermediate, and secondary grade textbooks used in 13 western states, and (2) researching, recording, and reviewing the textbook selection procedures. Part I indicates that textbooks are selected either by a state agency or the local school…

The background of the Kanawha County, language arts textbook controversy is described, and several factors are examined as possible precipitating elements in the controversy. The major actions, reactions, and occurrences in Kanawha County from April 1974 to April 1975 are reported, and various sources are used to document positions taken by…

The author contends that even though forces are at work to eliminate sexism in employment and education, sex stereotyping is so ingrained in the culture it is almost impossible to detect in discourse of any kind, let alone textbooks. The author offers a guide to detection. (Editor/HD)

Finds that no concensus exists among Michigan post-secondary schools on the "ideal" textbook, course requirement, or course evaluation procedures for their business communication courses. Proposes that some standards be established in these areas. (RL)