An evaluation of the readability of twelve secondary level geography textbooks

The purpose of this study was to evaluate twelve secondary level geography textbooks to determine the readability score of individual samples, the mean readability score of each textbook, and the reinforcement of the new vocabulary words. The readability scores were calculated by applying the Harris-Jacobson Wide Range Readability Formula. The reinforcements of the new vocabulary words were tabulated on the Worksheet for Analvsis of Instructional Materials Bevond Readabilitv Scales (Schindler, 1980).

These instruments of comprehensive evaluation indicated that portions of all the texts are substantially more difficult than the designated grade levels. In addition, none of the textbooks adequately reinforced the new vocabulary words. Because of the importance of the geography textbook as an instructional tool, the results of this study have strong implications for publishers and teachers.