IMPROVING COLLEGE READINESS

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Readable Science Textbooks An International
PerspectiveOregon Summer InstituteAugust
2006William H. SchmidtMichigan State
University

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Instructional Content Constructs

• Curricular Coherence
• Curricular Structure
• Curricular Focus
• Exposure Time (OTL)
• Curricular Rigor
• Level of Complexity

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Science Topics Intended by the Top-Achieving
TIMSS Countries
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Science Topics Intended by the Top-Achieving
TIMSS Countries (Part 1)
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Science Topics Intended by the Top-Achieving
TIMSS Countries (Part 2)
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Science Topics Intended by the Top-Achieving
TIMSS Countries (Part 3)
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Number of Pages in a Textbook
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Page Area of Science Textbooks Population 1
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Page Area of Science Textbooks Population 2
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Page Area of Science Textbooks Population 3
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Average Number of Science Topics Included in the
Textbooks
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Number of Strands or Breaks in Science Textbooks
Population 1
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Number of Strands or Breaks in Science Textbooks
Population 2
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Number of Strands or Breaks in Science Textbooks
Population 3
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Examples of Content Schematics For Textbooks
With sequential Themes (Multiple Topics)
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Examples of Content Schematics For Textbooks
With sequential Themes (Multiple Topics)
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Examples of Content Schematics For Textbooks
With sequential Themes (Interspersed with a
Recurring Topics)
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Examples of Content Schematics For Textbooks
With Fragmented Content Coverage
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Block Type Compositions of Science Textbooks
Population 1
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Block Type Compositions of Science Textbooks
Population 2 (Part 1)
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Block Type Compositions of Science Textbooks
Population 2 (Part 2)
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Block Type Compositions of Science Textbooks
Population 3
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Science Textbooks in the TIMSS World
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Summary of the Twelve Textbook Characteristics
for Each Type of Textbook