Textbook Evaluation Tool*

Textbook Evaluation Instrument

Teacher Reviewer Name: ______

School: ______

Part 1: General Information for Text Being Evaluated

Title: Copyright date: Author(s): Publisher(s): Cost (student edition): Number needed: Subject/ Grade Level: Readability/Lexile Score:

This text is recommended for:

______(name of course)

This text will serve as:

_____ the course’s primary text used by all teachers who teach the course

_____ a secondary text for the course;

_____Novel _____Biography _____Anthology

_____Workbook _____Resource Book _____Essay Collection

_____Short Story Collection _____Other

Notes/Comments:

______

Directions:

This checklist is designed to help you evaluate the appropriateness and readability of the text(s) you are evaluating for adoption. Your goal is to analyze the text(s) for various components. Please rank the statements below using the following rating system:

3 = Excellent 2 = Acceptable 1 = Poor NA = Not Applicable NF = Not Found

Part 2: Organization/Format

Overall Structure NA NF 3 2 1 Provide Page Numbers Not Not Organizational Features Excellent Acceptable Poor for Examples Applicable Found Information is accurate & current Textbook provides a useful table of contents, glossary & index Layout is consistent and chapters are arranged logically Chapters contain clear and comprehensive introductions and summaries Size and format of print is appropriate Format is visually appealing & interesting (balanced) Notes/Comments:

Part 3: Content

Content & Organization NA NF 3 2 1 Provide Page Numbers Not Not Criteria Excellent Acceptable Poor for Examples Applicable Found Textbook publisher documents correlation to the Michigan Curriculum Content Standards Instruction & activities help students make connections between prior knowledge/experiences and new information presented in the text Activities encourage the development of higher-level thinking skills across and beyond the text Activities apply to a diversity of student abilities, interests and learning styles Real-life applications are given Information and directions are clearly written and explained The text is designed to aid readers in comprehension (marginal notes, pre- reading plus purpose setting, introductions, guided reading questions, summary questions/ statements, extended reading activities, study techniques, writing activities, through level questions, others.) Activities are developmentally appropriate Non-text content (illustrations, graphs, maps, charts, etc.,) enhance comprehension Notes/Comments:

Part 4: Assessment

NA NF 3 2 1 Provide Page Numbers Not Not Assessment Criteria Excellent Acceptable Poor for Examples Applicable Found Assessments are aligned with State Content Expectations. Assessment tools are suggested, included, and/or sufficient to support differentiated learning styles. Does the textbook offer pre and post tests? Assessments incorporate knowledge from prior chapters/units Textbook supports local unit and pre/post assessments in this discipline Notes/Comments:

Part 6: Teacher's Edition/Supplementary Materials

Teacher’s Edition / Supplementary Materials NA NF 3 2 1 Provide Page Numbers Not Not Criteria Excellent Acceptable Poor for Examples Applicable Found The teacher’s edition is easy to use, comprehensive, well organized, and contains sufficient information for even the inexperienced teacher. Step-by-step plans are included on implementing the student’s edition in the classroom. Objectives are included and clearly stated. Scope and sequence information is provided. A variety of teaching strategies is suggested to improve differentiation for remediation and enrichment.

Teacher’s Edition / Supplementary Materials NA NF 3 2 1 Provide Page Numbers Not Not Criteria Excellent Acceptable Poor for Examples Applicable Found Key vocabulary lists are included for each unit/chapter. Ancillary materials (i.e., duplicating masters, printed materials, audio visual materials, transparencies, software, test banks, diagnostic assessments, workbooks, web access and internal home school connection, etc.) are included and are of high quality. Does the textbook have meaningful multimedia support that is integrated with the text? (Magazines, online remediation, publications, etc.) Does the textbook have a website with worthwhile activities? Does the textbook suggest engaging, worthwhile Internet activities? In there on-line access to the textbook for students and teachers? In there on-line access to the textbook for teachers? Does the company provide training for staff as part of the purchase price? Notes/Comments:

Part 7: References

Ask the textbook representative for names of contacts in other districts using this selection.

Contact at least two other districts and collect comments on the following questions:

o How effective is the resource in meeting your subject goals? o What concerns do they have about this resource?