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      > Textbook Adoption Study
      > TAAF Diversity Study

In 2005, TAAF designated Christopher Stream, Assistant Professor of Public Administration at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, as principal investigator for a potential grant to study state adoption policies and practices for textbooks.

Professor Stream has researched the educational literature regarding the textbook adoption process and has presented his research at the 2006 Text and Academic Authors Association (TAA) Convention in Orlando (See http://www.taaonline.net/convention/2006_info.html#19articles and http://www.taaonline.net/convention/2006_handouts.html).

Stream has written a grant proposal to the University of Las Vegas, seeking funding for research into the state textbook adoption process in Nevada. The UNLV grant will serve as template for external funding. He hopes to begin working on the Nevada case study in Spring 2007 and complete it by Fall 2007.

Download Stream's grant proposal to UNLV as a PDF

TAAF hired grant writer Sherry Rook to work with Professor Stream on several foundation grant proposals to solicit additional funding for the study.

Stream answers some questions about the goal of the Textbook Adoption Study and its importance to textbook authors:

What is the goal of the Textbook Adoption Study?

"The goal of the project is to provide a national, comparative study of the textbook adoption process to see if it matters how textbooks are adopted, and if so, in what ways. The study will also provide a comparative look at textbooks chosen to see if these books have common characteristics and to find out if textbook use matters."

Why is this project important?

"There is currently no data available in current research regarding this topic.

The project seeks to acquire quantitative data on the textbook adoption process and textbooks in certain regions and eventually on a national scale; and then to examine research questions and hypotheses. One question the study hopes to answer: Do textbooks matter in the classroom? No empirical studies of the textbook adoption process -- or its impact -- has ever been done."

How will the results of the study help textbook authors?

"The study will provide authors with a greater understanding of the textbook adoption process; what textbook characteristics make up an adopted textbook; and the textbook's impact on student achievement."

Beyond the Three R's: The Policies and Politics of Textbook Adoptions

The following describes Christopher Stream's three-part study into the textbook adoption process.

Part 1: Overview/Background (COMPLETED)

In this first part of the study, I introduced the topic of textbook adoptions in the U.S. and briefly mentioned the major camps involved *(students, states, publishers and Special Interest Groups). I also offered a general history of textbook adoptions in the United States and explained the range in Special Interest Group involvement. I also gave the picture of where we are today - and the current debate (for example, Intelligent Design). I concluded with a loose recommendation directed toward state policymakers.

Part one of the study accomplished the following objectives:

• Introduced the topic of textbook adoptions in the U.S. and briefly mentioned the major camps involved (students, states, publishers and Special Interest Groups).
• Offered a general history of textbook adoptions in the U.S.
• Explained the range in Special Interest Group involvement.
• Gave a picture of where we are today - and the current debate regarding Intelligent Design.
• Offered a loose set of recommendations directed toward state policymakers.

Part 2: Nevada Case Studies

The purpose of this study is to examine the adoption preference dimensions (the process for selecting textbooks either by committee or some other method) among Nevada school districts. Specifically the study will examine the similarities and differences between the policies and procedures employed by Nevada school districts in the selection of new civics textbooks. The study will describe the process of textbook evaluation and selection in Nevada school districts. Nevada makes for an excellent case study because it employs a hybrid system; that is, some school districts use a committee selection system and some allow the schools or teachers to select the textbooks. These descriptive case studies are intended to provide insight into the textbook selection process as implemented in American schools.

In this study, I hope to answer the following questions regarding textbook selection:

1. What is the composition of the selection committee and how is it chosen?
2. What criteria do selection committees and classroom teachers apply in the selection of a textbook?
3. Are publishers' supplementary materials important in the selection process?
4. To what extent do publishers and citizens' groups influence the textbook selection process?
5. Do textbooks matter to student achievement?

Part 3: National Study

This portion of the study will examine state adoption policies and practices for textbook adoption across the 50 states. The study will highlight the role played by state governments, local school districts and the politics of "morality" involved in the textbook adoption process. This part of the study will focus on the political and ideological influences on the textbook adoption process. This study will explore the question of whether textbook adoption is a simple economic matter for local school districts or a battleground for high-profile "culture wars."

Methodology:

• Lexis-Nexis search of national and regional news media for coverage of state and local education leaders.
• 50 articles retrieved and reviewed (so far).
• In-depth interviews conducted with state and local leaders (schools, state, publishers, and Special Interest Groups), 90-plus minutes each.
• Interviews will be selected according to prominence in community and coverage in news stories.
• Examine any relevant public records

* The Stakeholders/Camps:

A) Schools: Boards; Teachers; Parents; Children
B) State: Legislation; Publishers and their Lobbyists; Education Boards; School Districts
C) Special Interest Groups: Publishers; Political Groups; Several Coalitions (Pro-Learning, Pro-Teacher, Pro-Conservative, Pro-PC, Pro-Religious Associations, Pro-Creationist, Pro-Cultural, Pro-Comprehensive), and General Public Opinion.