A Model for Basal Reader Adoption

The process of evaluating and selecting basal readers has long been a primary concern for educators. Educators directly involved with textbook adoptions have expressed several concerns, including:-ime pressures on evaluators; lack of training for evaluate concerns related to publishers; and correlations with state or..strict curriculum. Tennessee's plan for evaluating textboots vas developed by th " State Textbook Commission, along with the State Board of Education and the State Department of Education. The model consists of the following steps: (1) selection of basal reader evaluators; (2) approval and release of "Invitation to Bid"; (3) development of evaluation plan; (42 orientation and training for evaluators; (5) independent evaluation of books by reviewers; (6) evaluator debriefing and committee reports; (7) hearings of State Textbcox Commission; and (8) adoptions at the loca] level. A follow-up survey indicated that both reviewers and publishers were pleased with the process. The communication which occurred between publishers ' representatives and reviewers during the display session could hold much promise for the ultimate improvement of basal readers. (One diagram showin7 Model for Basal Reader Adoption Initial Planning Sessions is included, and 15 references are attached.) (MG) Reproductions supplied by EDRS are the best that can be made from the original document