This article introduces and discusses some aspects of the complex problem of textbook reform, and suggests what the future holds for textbooks. (DCS)

The 338 14-year-olds who participated in a study to determine effects of pictures on readability of science topics completed a cloze test during the study and an objective items recognition test afterwards. Posttest scores showed pictures made topic easier to remember although they had little effect on cloze test results. (MBR)

Supplementing a guide published in 1995, this annotated bibliography contains 80 one-page listings of books for adult learners in adult basic education (ABE) and General Educational Development (GED) programs. Arranged in alphabetical order by author, each listing includes the following: title, author's name, illustrator's name, date of…

Describes some of the mismatches that can occur between child knowledge and the controlled "primerese" language of texts. Finds ways in which children bring their linguistic knowledge to bear on the reading process. Indicates that the controls and distinctive features of primerese text are counterproductive. (MG)

Two studies involving 138 third graders and 18 fifth and sixth graders examined whether children's ability to revise problematic texts could be enhanced through training in a comprehension monitoring strategy. Results show that acquiring a strategy can help children make appropriate revisions to improve the text's comprehension. (SLD)

Presents two activities as a literature supplement to a history lesson to provide students with materials well suited to their reading levels. Describes a biography book wheel project to be used as an alternate to the standard book report. Proposes choral reading of historical poetry to enrich the social studies experience. (DK)

Contends that children's literature is a powerful tool for linking social studies learning and literacy development in primary age children. Describes a thematic unit on immigration and the transcontinental railroad that utilized literature and "read alouds" as a means to exploring these topics. Gives a list of children's books on immigration.…

For its 53rd annual meeting, the Association of Educators and Researchers met in Charlotte, North Carolina at the Marriott Charlotte City Center. This year's conference theme was "Building Literacy Communities", which was also used as the title for this year's Yearbook, Volume 32. This organization has long been the home of some of the nation's…

This directory provides information on cancer education materials that have been developed specifically for American Indians and Alaska Natives. The goal is to develop and implement culturally appropriate cancer prevention and control programs for Native Americans. The directory includes a matrix of cancer education materials that identifies…

To determine how the difficulty of print materials affected elementary school students' sight copying accuracy and productivity and to explain correlate variance related to copying, 149 students in grades four, six, and eight were assigned materials to copy for three minutes. All subjects copied passages at grade level and at two grades above and…

The intent of a project was to produce materials that teachers could use in the adult basic education classroom after receiving the training outlined in the staff development model. Materials from commercial publishers listed in the California Adult Student Assessment System (CASAS) curriculum and matrix were rated in terms of usefulness for…

Five seventh grade and four sixth grade social studies textbooks most commonly used in Michigan public schools were examined (1) to determine the extent to which these textbooks reflected the pluralistic nature of the global society, past and present, and (2) to ascertain the quality of scholarship, educational soundness, and readability levels.…

A study identified the reading and mathematics job requirements for three sales and service jobs. Subjects were 296 employees of a marketing division of a large telecommunication company. The readability of 420 passages from job and training materials was assessed by the Flesch Reading Ease index, which generated a value that was transformed to a…

The reading achievement test scores of 239 low-income, southern, urban black students in grades three through eight were compared with their ability to comprehend the social studies books used in their classrooms. Achievement scores were obtained from the reading subtests of the Stanford Achievement Tests. A cloze passage was developed based on…

These materials were developed for use in workshops with teachers. The document suggests a four-stage framework which students can apply to problems: (1) get to know the problem; (2) choose what to do; (3) do it; and (4) look back. Suggestions are included for each of the four stages of the probem solving process. Other specific techniques for…