The sixth of eight related documents, this booklet is part of a series of papers presented at the 1978 National Right to Read Conference examining issues and problems in literacy. In examining the publisher's role in facilitating literacy, this booklet distinguishes between responsiveness to the express desires of schools and responsibility for…

This document presents guidelines, published by the Maryland State Department of Education, for the evaluation and selection of instructional materials. The first section of the document focuses on the review and selection of textbooks and instructional materials. The second and third sections deal specifically with the selection of materials…

This paper addresses the question of whether introductory students are learning the essential concepts of sociology. A study of 18 introductory sociology textbooks, dated from 1973 through 1977, indicates that these basic concepts are not clearly and intelligibly presented. Although over 1500 concepts were included in 18 glossaries, only one…

In response to the problem facing college faculties of choosing textbooks that are both "readable" by students and adequate in content coverage, a text selection process has been developed that can be used with or without the aid of a reading specialist. The first step in the process, a preliminary check, examines each proposed text's publication…

The selected bibliographies and journals listed in this volume provide reviews of books, periodicals, and audiovisual materials of relevance for elementary and secondary school instructional programs. Section one furnishes booklists and nonselective bibliographies to aid in book selection; an inventory of specialized periodicals and periodicals…

Designed to help local boards of education eliminate biased instructional materials, these guidelines contain (1) a suggested contractual provision which specifies instructional material reflecting the multi-ethnic nature of society, (2) a rationale for the contractual provision, (3) three examples of how textbooks can be analyzed, (4) the…

Methodological problems have plagued evaluation researchers in their attempt to provide data for making decisions about selection of curricula and instructional materials. This report describes how two methodological problems were handled to assist a city school district derive meaningful data and apply findings to the selection of a basal reading…

This examination of textbooks shows the very wide range of approaches adopted. Aims, content, and methods of presentation are compared. The uses of questions in the books are examined in detail. The characteristics of the books are related to the variety of approaches to the teaching of biology in schools. (Author/MA)

Considers the problem of overt and implicit racial bias in textbooks and children's fiction. Argues for some censorship of book provision for younger children while suggesting that older students be involved in a critical appraisal of books. (Editor/RK)

An ever-increasing constraint upon the freedom of the teacher and the curriculum is developing. Specifically, the curriculum development going on inside the confines of state legislatures. Suggestions for insuring professional involvement in curriculum matters were offered. (Author/RK)

Gives faculty members without formal training in reading a tool to assist in textbook selection at universities in bilingual settings. (RL)

Research on error analysis indicates that the learner develops an ordered system of language which is frequently erroneous, but which represents a transitional stage in his progress towards mastery. A brief analysis of some textbooks provides information about the selection and presentation of material to the learner. (SW)

Describes the development and the components of an instrument designed to assess the contents of educational materials. (JM)

This article discusses two problems which confront the literary historian, first, that of periodization and second, that of choice of corpus. Several histories of French literature, some written in English and others in French, are reviewed. (CFM)