This criticism of writing competency tests questions both the efficacy of a test developed by the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) and the reliance of individual states on the products of private testmakers. The paper suggests that a hidden curriculum is being developed by independent and semi-independent organizations that…

Learning disabled students need to be exposed to instruction in functional reading and mathematics, social information, and verbal and nonverbal social skills so that they can function as competent individuals in the every-day world. (CL)

Failure of most children to solve word problems beyond the simplest is seen to stem from two causes: failure to understand applied arithmetic and failure to relate problems to the real world. Relevant research is reviewed, and a route for new research is proposed. (MP)

Clarifies the meaning of the life skills approach by looking at appropriate content and methods. The content of the life skills approach includes the themes of knowing and developing oneself and effective communication and relationships with others. (Author/BEF)

Examines contemporary "technocratic" and "progressive" approaches to literacy. Discusses "functional literacy" in relation to the classical model of "high literacy." Suggests research be guided by considerations of contextual factors influencing acquisition and use of literate abilities and organized in…

A review of 25 studies found that demonstrations of successful generalization of skills by persons with profound mental handicaps were characterized by: several trained exemplars, trained behaviors likely to be reinforced in natural settings by natural consequences, use of training stimuli common to the generalization setting, and training in…

While concerns over literacy are common in contemporary times, similar concerns have been raised in other historical periods. Despite earlier predictions of American mastery of English, the Harvard Reports of the 1890s reflected anxiety over literacy among freshman college students from even "the best families in point of culture and…

As part of a 5-year investigation of skill generalization in severely handicapped students, a literature review was undertaken within each of three general approaches: performance pattern studies, ecological studies, and self-control studies. The first paper, "Descriptive Analysis of Extant Research Literature concerning Skill Generalization…

Current conceptualizations of the construct of "communication competence" are examined in this paper and are found to be problematic. The paper argues that "communication competence" must be distinguished from "communication performance" and sees neither as a reliable predictor of the other. The paper suggests that both research and pedagogy must…

Recommendations from several current writings at the national level for improving mathematics curriculum and instruction are reviewed in this article. Key concerns discussed include problem solving, basic skills, effective teaching skills, public support, and professionalism. (DF)

Education reforms, based on the ever-changing social values of the last 20 years, have left the schools in an amorphous state. Regardless of the changes that may affect demands made on schools, a principle need of the schools is balance. (CJ)

Traces the history of minimum competency testing in the United States from 1890 to the present. (FL)

"Back to Basics" has become a popular phrase to describe the current trend in higher education's general education requirements. What must be addressed beyond the evident need for basic skills is the nature of the "mission" of the general education curriculum component. (Author)

Provides a rationale for teachers' use of reading for enjoyment as a means of developing reading ability and literature appreciation as opposed to a basic skills approach to teaching reading. (MKM)

The text of a conversation with a Florida special education administrator explores such aspects as the skills that are being tested, how standards were derived, the effects of testing on curricula, special diplomas, and the improvement in scores noted in the second year of the testing. (DLS)