A Definition of our Rating System
Our group decided it would be useful to develop a ranking scale for our assessment of textbooks and children’s literature for use in the content area classroom. We chose a 5-point bipolar scaling method with forced choices. We felt that a single “assessment ranking” would be useful for those teachers (or students) perusing our website. Our assessment ranking is listed below:
1. Poor
2. Needs Improvement
3. Fair
4. Good
5. Excellent
In order to determine our ranking we developed a number of factors that we were looking for in our assessment, they include:
Use of Language: This factor addresses whether the language in the text has appropriate complexity, use of literary devices, grammar, and
word choice for the targeted grade level.
Illustrations: This factor focuses on whether the illustrations are interesting and creative; and whether they effectively relate to the specific
content of the text.
Presence of Bias: This factor makes a determination as to the presence of cultural, gender, ethnic, or racial bias in the text.
Instructional Flexibility: This factor centers on the ability of the text to be used in a variety of instructional contexts (e.g., direct instruction,
small group instruction, and centers). It also reflects how well the text can be used to address a variety of learning
styles (e.g., visual learners, auditory learners, and tactile learners). Finally, this factor addresses how well the resource
can be applied to address the literacy arts (e.g., reading, listening, speaking, writing, and viewing).
Content Accuracy: This factor addresses the correctness and appropriateness of the content-specific information as it pertains to the
desired grade level.
Based on these criteria, our assessment ranking can be further defined as follows:
1. Poor
Definition: does not address any of the assessment factors in a complete and appropriate manner.
2. Needs Improvement
Definition: does not address most of the assessment factors in a complete and appropriate manner.
3. Fair
Definition: addresses some but not all of the assessment factors in a complete and appropriate manner.
4. Good
Definition: address most of the assessment factors in a complete and appropriate manner.
5. Excellent
Definition: addresses all of the assessment factors in a complete and appropriate manner.
So the ideal book for our purposes would have an appropriate use of language for the targeted grade level; vivid and effective illustrations; no bias; instructional flexibility; and accurate content. Such a book would receive a ranking of “Excellent” or “5” in our assessment ranking.
