Criteria Used by Teachers in Brazilian Public Elementary Schools in the Process of Textbook Selection

This paper reports the results of research which analyzed the consti- tutive elements of the assessment process performed by teachers in selecting textbooks available through the Brazilian National Programme of Textbooks (PNLD) . The starting point of the research was the empirical confirmation of a significant number of teachers pointing out difficulties in analyz - ing the books available for selection by their schools . On the other hand, the teachers also criticized the books being used, highlighting their inadequacy for their work and the students' needs. The teachers collaborated with the investigations performed throughout the last few years, providing their views on their options of use and non-use of the materials chosen and received from the PNLD . The participant teachers are from public elementary schools, located in both urban and rural areas .