Because of an expressed need for staff development for vocational education administrators, research was conducted to identify and verify the competencies needed by vocational administrators; competency-based modularized materials were developed to address those competencies; and a variety of competency-based training program strategies were…

Maintaining that lack of action is one of the biggest errors school managers make, this author describes development of competency based education (CBE) programs as one example of how action can be taken by identifying a problem area and systematically approaching it. He defines CBE programs as those involving identification of basic skills, a…

The essential meaninglessness of the phrase "Minimum Competency" is discussed and it is placed in the larger context of "The Basics." It is argued that "The Basics" as taught in preparation for minimum competency tests (MCT) are not basic either in the sense of being essential skills or enabling skills. Using research findings and common sense,…

Many readers will agree that the conditions in our schools need improvement, that problems in schools are closely linked with the problems in our society, and that local control has diminished. The yielding of local control has contributed substantially to these problems. Uniform standards and minimum performance criteria have been tried and the…

The demand for competency based education reflects a desire for more public, consistent, and objective standards of student assessment. This demand implies a change in the definition and interrelations among four operational functions of the school: instruction, acculturation, supervision, and certification. The institution of externally…

Describes the emerging market of employment opportunities available in information work outside traditional libraries and information services units. The need for information science curricula that encompass relevant information technologies and the difficulties in implementing new curricula are discussed, and a national framework for information…

This innovative session provides a vehicle for facilitating dialogue and practical application of effective tools for linking human resource development (HRD) strategies with business/organizational strategies. The primary goal is to provide an increased understanding of and skill using practical, research-based approaches and techniques to build…

The author briefly discusses ten of the important events in education during the last decade. (IRT)

Examines the policy context of the adoption of competency-based training (CBT), including in English as a Second Language. The article argues that, although it is doubtful that CBT can deliver the substantive economic, educational, and equity goals claimed for it, it fulfilled important political and management objectives for the Labor government.…

Australian implementation of competency-based training fails to recognize that mere competency statements are inadequate as a basis for teaching. Many vocational teachers lack sufficient background in psychology for successful implementation. Good curriculum documents can help by incorporating key research on skill learning, transfer, expertise,…

The "training reform agenda" refers to a package of reforms in vocational education that was accepted by Australian national, state, and territorial ministers. It has five main themes: nationally consistent competency-based training; national recognition of competence; open national training market; fair participation; and integrated…

A major initiative in Australia is a general and pervasive obsession with competency-based training and assessment. There is a real danger that the selling of competency-based training (CBT) and competency-based assessment (CBA) is greater than what it can offer. One criticism focuses on CBT, the other on CBA, although in most instances where CBT…

This paper discusses issues in implementing an assessment center in educational management programs at the university level. The assessment center would be used to determine the ability of a student to perform the management work of the principal. Practical work experience should be included as an integral part of an educational management course…

The effect of an ability-based curriculum on student development was studied at Alverno College, a liberal arts women's college. Data were obtained from 990 participants representing students, alumnae, and working professionals who were not Alverno students. Sixteen research instruments were administered to a sample of 200 students over their 4…

Experience in adult English as a second language (ESL) programs in recent years supports the claim that they are always intended to meet specific needs of the learners. Six program models for adult English for Special Purposes (ESP) courses are identified and described. These are: (1) Survival and Coping Skills ESL, (2) Literacy ESL, (3)…