Many states are experimenting with mechanisms for making college more affordable while maintaining quality and access. This report examines promising or innovative state programs to improve college affordability and credential attainment. Many of these approaches show innovative thinking and bear watching to see if they result in meaningful…

In 2011, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation extended grants to three educational organizations working to develop or enhance competency-based approaches in large, urbanized school systems. The grant initiative, called Project Mastery, funded the development of technology-enhanced tools, including curriculum materials and online learning…

In 2011, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation created the Project Mastery grant program to support competency-based education initiatives in large school systems that serve a high proportion of disadvantaged youth. Competency-based education meets students where they are academically, provides students with opportunities for choice, and awards…

In the first decade of the 21st century, the nation, the states, and colleges and universities began to grapple with the challenges of globalization, changing demography, the implications of the digital era, and of a less expansive public sector. Although not a transformative period for higher education, the decade saw significant innovations in…

A project to develop a competency-based curriculum to support implementation of tech prep intergenerational programs throughout Texas was begun in summer 1992. A preliminary career ladder for intergenerational occupations was composed and revised. A task analysis was conducted. A survey to which 285 of the 547 health care professionals, secondary…

Developed by a project that validated task lists by a variety of teachers and apparel marketing business persons, this guide contains task lists for occupations in the field of apparel and accessories marketing. The guide is organized in three sections. Section 1 includes the following: (1) notes on using the information in the guide; (2) a…

This manual, which accompanies a curriculum guide, is designed for users of Texas' 2 + 2 Tech Prep program, which trains individuals who followed the general track degree program in high school to provide high-quality care and education to young children. The manual explains the relation of the technical preparation (Tech Prep) education model to…

This guide outlines the topics of instruction and goals/objectives of a semester-long half-unit laboratory course in forestry and wood technology (Agriscience 383) that is designed for students part of Texas' agricultural science and technology program for students in grades 10-12. Presented first are lists of the following: essential elements…

This document outlines the model that was jointly developed by representatives of the Texas Education Agency and University of Texas at Austin (UTA) to inject the state's existing health science technology education (HSTE) program with tech prep components and Secretary's Commission on Achieving Necessary Skills (SCANS) competencies. Presented…

This document contains the competency test package for three sections of a general mechanical repair course: minor automotive maintenance, small engine mechanics, and welding. Following a list of the common essential elements for trade and industrial education, competency tests for the three sections are provided. Each test includes unit name,…

This guide provides instructors of business computer programming with a curriculum correlated directly to the office education essential elements mandated by the Texas Education Agency. Introductory materials include a scope and sequence and lists of suggested textbooks, resource books, software, audiovisuals, and magazines. Eleven units are…

This guide outlines the topics of instruction and goals/objectives of a half-unit shop/laboratory course in agricultural electronics (Agriscience 324) that is part of Texas' secondary-level agricultural science and technology program. Presented first are lists of the essential elements common to all agricultural science and technology courses…

This guide is designed to assist teachers who are beginning their first year of teaching Texas' Health Science Technology Education program. Discussed in the guide's seven sections are the following: the state's educational system, the teacher-student relationship, and teachers' internal struggles; planning/scheduling; classroom management…

This project was conducted to develop a course of study in health occupations in grades 9 and 10 for a county-wide comprehensive health careers high school. The course was to include related skills development in health occupations, support materials for an academic course of study, and broad outlines of curriculum for grades 11 and 12. The High…

This curriculum guide provides materials for teachers to use in developing a course in legal administrative systems. Following an introductory section that lists the common essential elements of the course, the guide contains six sections that cover the following course topics: (1) introduction to legal administrative systems; (2) word processing;…