People use the words "profession" and "professional" in a multitude of ways. This article provides an extensive discussion about the idea of "profession." The author discusses how librarianship stacks up against the established professions and explores whether librarianship is considered as a profession. The author argues that librarianship is not…

This paper presents a conceptual analysis of the nature of teaching and similar practices (including law, psychiatry, and social work), and examines how these differ from other practices. Chapter I defines practice; discusses common elements of practices (such as skills, knowledge and outputs); and describes teaching as an indeterminate practice…

Explores the relationship between academic assessment and assessment of National Vocational Qualifications (NVQs) for health professionals in Britain. Examines the relationship between competence and excellence or expertise and the development of reflective practitioners. Raises concerns about using NVQs in professional occupations. (SK)

Suggests that schools of allied health may have to collaborate with professional organizations in identifying individual deficiencies in clinical practice and in offering remedial, continuing education programs that address these deficiencies. The rationale for the assumption of this unique responsibility for determining and maintaining clinical…

During a 45-minute observation period, Texas teachers must demonstrate their abilities on a long checklist of "performance indicators." This approach, like its sister systems cropping up in other states, is based on a narrow, standardized, and superficial view of teaching. (Author)

Argues that public administration assumes an impoverished definition of "profession" and has neglected important dimensions of the practice that need examination in a more constructive debate. Illuminates the roles that public administrators have played and must play if they are to govern effectively and professionally. (Author)

Individual mastery of knowledge, skills, and abilities is no longer a sufficient guarantee of competent practice. Behavioral and cross-professional capabilities for effective teamwork should also be considered in the design, delivery, and evaluation of continuing professional education. (SK)

Reviews prior work to develop the profession of intergenerational specialist. Presents guidelines and standards for professionals that outline the common core of knowledge, skills, and dispositions. Discusses modifications to the guidelines that were made based on feedback from the field. (Contains 18 references.) (SK)

This report discusses a working group convened in Varna, Bulgaria, by the World Health Organization to examine trends, issues, and problems regarding assessment of health professional competence and to prepare guidance to improve existing arrangements. Following a summary of the proceedings, the main portion of the paper reports main findings and…

The value of a role in a profession is often tied to demand for and supply of practitioners in this role. Since a profession may seek to sustain its role's value by influencing supply of recognized practitioners, the National Commission for Health Certifying Agencies has included in its membership criteria a requirement for administrative…

Reports that vocational health occupations programs are undergoing a self-analysis process including evaluation of competency and continuing competency. Presents perspectives of health professionals with comparisons to nursing and medical technology credentialing and continuing education. These perspectives are intended for other occupational…

A project examined the curriculum in the health occupations program to determine what curriculum changes will be necessary to keep pace with and anticipate advances in health occupations. A statewide Texas health occupations education review committee composed of employers, graduates, educators, a union representative, and representatives from…

This prospectus for a bookkeeping course is one of a series of business education position papers/curriculum guides developed for high schools in Connecticut to demonstrate that business courses can be used as part of an integrated academic and vocational curriculum. The guide is organized into the following six sections: (1) business department…

Continuing education consultant Louis Philips talks about changes in licensure and certification in professions, the increase in mandatory continuing education, and tends in relicensure and recertification. (SK)

Contrary to positivist, rational-instrumental perspective, the social context of educational planning is interpersonal and communicative. Professional continuing education based on the interpersonal, familial, professional, and institutional dimensions of professional practice will be significantly different from current offerings. (SK)