THE ACCURACY OF THE ETHNIC PORTRAYAL OF CHINESE AMERICANS IN CALIFORNIA STATE-ADOPTED SOCIAL STUDIES TEXTBOOKS, GRADES 2 THROUGH 8

The purpose of this study was to determine the accuracy of the ethnic portrayal of Chinese Americans in selected California state-adopted textbooks, grades 2 through 8. This study was achieved through a systematic content analysis of social studies textbooks.; With reference to California state-adopted social studies textbooks, grades 2 through 8, the following research questions were asked: (1) What are the frequencies and proportional distributions of sentences about Chinese Americans that are true by category, by book, and for the total number of books sampled? (2) What are the frequencies and proportional distributions of sentences about Chinese Americans that are false by category, by book, and for the total number of books sampled? (3) Which categories of topics are not covered (or least frequently covered) within the total number of books sampled? (4) Which categories of topics are covered within the total number of books sampled?; Results of the findings showed that of the fifty textbooks sampled, approximately half of the textbooks included information about Chinese Americans. The findings indicated that the true statements by category, by book, and for the total number of books sampled were high. The false statements by category, by book, and for the total number of books sampled were low.; The findings also revealed that four categories were not covered and that contemporary Chinese American issues were least frequently covered. The category most covered included items that were not in the other twenty-four categories. The laws and discrimination acts against the Chinese were the other frequently mentioned categories.; Though the accuracy rate of the sentences about Chinese Americans was high, it must be considered in light of the relatively inadequate coverage of Chinese Americans in California state-adopted social studies textbooks. Of the twenty-five categories listed, seven categories represented approximately 74 percent of all the statements in the textbooks. This indicated a high proportion of omitted categories in the social studies textbooks. Based on these findings, the portrayal of Chinese Americans in California state-adopted social studies textbooks was inadequately covered.