It is argued that achievement test means, based on group scores, or other district-wide summary scores do not provide valid measures for diagnosing curriculum weaknesses nor for initiating curriculum changes. Group scores are probably valid for some purposes, but should not be used as criterion variables for evaluating the effectiveness of…

Because the institution of performance-based teacher education and certification (PBTE) affects the allocation of resources for teacher education and certification, the movement has become highly political. The political contenders in the struggle to institute PBTE include teachers, administrators, university educators, federal governments, state…

Competency-based teacher education has provided institutions preparing students to become teachers of vocational agriculture with a basis for sequencing, unduplicated instruction, relevance, accountability, and some degree of measurability in the development of professional teacher education programs. (JOW)

Indicates that performance-based education (PBTE) falls short of its promises because of fundamental flaws. States that PBTE does not capture the complexity of teaching, is behavioristic, and lacks a research base. (JOW)

Based on experiences in Kansas, the problems discussed include: discrepancies between competency-based teacher education and current certification practices; categorical approaches to training and certification; reciprocal agreements for coursework and certification requirements; and the supply/demand of teachers. Possible solutions cited include…

Asserts that Competency Based Teacher Education as a social science is extremely inadequate, and that attempts to standardize teaching through formal performance criteria ought to be viewed as the bureaucratization of education. (Author/ML)

Provides an overview of major areas of proficiency which contribute to the effectiveness of continuing education practitioners. Suggests ways to acquire these proficiencies through personal efforts and participation in professional development activities. (Editor)

Discussion of constructivism focuses on instructional systems design (ISD) and how it can help develop constructivist instruction. Highlights include ISD limitations; objectives and learning analysis, including Competency-Based Teacher Education and levels of learning; task analysis; and formative evaluation processes. (23 references) (LRW)

Competency-based standards of Britain's Training Industry Lead Body have limited usefulness for training adult educators. These standards are focused on tasks and work roles rather than the characteristics and qualities of competent individuals and development of reflective practitioners. (SK)

In a response to the National Governors Association (NGA) goals and objectives related to second language study, the Joint National Committee for Languages (JNCL) makes a case in support of 10 NGA principles for change. It is emphasized that the study of a second language must remain an essential component of any efforts to improve the quality of…

Traditionally, trade and industrial education teachers performed their own job analyses in order to develop a curriculum and teach their classes. Eventually, processes were created for such analyses. One that had a great influence in educational circles was the job analysis system of Fryklund. However, since Fryklund's time, occupational analysis…

This publication presents the foreign language profession's consensus on selected topics and is designed to address areas of interest to instructional leaders and practitioners who are concerned with developing and maintaining effective second language programs. The topics are grouped into four sections: "Preparing for the…

The purposes, development, characteristics, target population needs, appropriate materials, and teacher qualifications of an Occupational English as a Second Language Program (OESL) are presented. OESL is a component of bilingual education that utilizes open entry and exit and a competency-based individualized instructional approach. (PMJ)

Metropolitan State University (Minnesota), intended to serve largely mature community college transfer students in the inner city, gives students responsibility for planning their own individualized course of studies, with a competence-based focus. Community-based faculty, classrooms, and library resources are essential elements. (Author/MSE)

To provide structure for developing curriculum for Competency Based Education (CBE), an effective and efficient model, Systematic Curriculum and Instructional Development (SCID), has been devised. SCID has five phases: analysis, design, development, implementation, and evaluation. Each of 23 components involves several steps, some optional. Phase…