This reply to William A. Mehrens argues that although some psychometricians are reluctant to endorse the use of test data for educational decision making, it is desirable that measurement specialists provide decision makers with practical, understandable ways to use test data. (JAZ)

Regulation and legislation make the role of the classroom teacher more bureaucratic. Legislators can contribute to the improvement of education by policy analysis and by making teacher salaries more competitive with the alternatives available to competent people. (MLF)

The trend toward competency-based education and competency testing is the work of legislators and politicians, not educators. Some of the latter express serious reservations about it. The minimum competency testing movement is a result of the effort to integrate minorities into the mainstream of society. (JOW)

Indicates that national statistics show declining numbers of unskilled jobs and large numbers of semiliterate and illiterate high school graduates; argues that minimum competency requirements can benefit both individuals and society. Observes that recent judicial decisions have usurped the right to set educational policy, which constitutionally…

Concludes that valid reading tests are needed for adults and should be designed differently than tests for academic or school-related reading. (AEA)

Self-assessment is one answer to the problems that arise when vocational placement tests are not used. Advantages of this system are (1) students obtain evaluation without the trauma of entrance examinations; (2) students are aware of needed competencies; and (3) students will seek courses to prepare them for success. (JOW)

Satirizes the teaching of basic skills in isolation and the placing of test results above true learning. (RL)

The National Institute of Education's hearings on minimum competency testing sought to educate the public about both sides of the issue. This article summarizes the ground rules for the hearings and the five points of inquiry debated. (WD)

This is the first half of a two-part interview with Benjamin S. Bloom in which he speaks out on the place of mastery learning in the future of our educational system. (KC)

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)

Reviews the possible dangers of mandated competency testing and suggests some alternatives. (JM)

The author refutes arguments used by the critics of Competency Based Education (CBE), but also states that CBE cannot succeed without real commitment and the careful planning of several key components. (SJL)

Minimum competency testing is not so much an educational movement as it is a power struggle. State legislatures will be the winners; teachers and poor students the losers. (Author)

Among the many questions raised by minimum competency testing is the question of responsibility for the initiation and financing of these tests and any necessary remediation. The federal role is, and should remain, merely one of providing financial assistance to states who insist on pursuing their own efforts in this area. (Author/RLV)

Discussion of the effect of minimum competency tests for graduation notes both positive (such as greater access to the general curriculum) and negative (such as increased referrals to special education) to improve a school's overall scores. Continually changing special education procedures are seen, however, to have led to a decline in teachers…