The problems of urban public schools and current reform efforts are examined in this issue of "FOCUS," a publication of the Educational Testing Service. Declining support from parents and teachers, budget cuts, declining enrollment and deficiencies in student performance in mathematics and science skills are among the problems discussed.…

This issue focuses on assisting adolescents with serious emotional handicaps to make transitions from youth serving systems into society. A framework for developing transition-oriented programs is prevented that incorporates into the specific service goals of the current environment the skills required to function in the projected environment.…

Five legal questions are discussed in the conflict between the move to institute minimum competency testing (MCT) for students and the effort to protect the educational rights of handicapped children. The threshold question is whether handicapped children should be subject to the same MCT requirements as the non-handicapped. (PS)

Discusses trend toward minimum competency tests (MCTs) as a requirement for receiving high school graduation. Summarizes criticisms of such testing, and discusses Florida's experience with the MCT, especially in relation to minorities. Concludes that the use of MCTs is potentially discriminatory. (CJM)

Competency based education is a model which can be utilized for training and evaluating alcohol and drug abuse personnel. An identification and assessment process is described relating to the development and implementation of a competency based bachelor's degree program for students majoring in alcohol and drug abuse related areas. (Author/BEF)

This document presents a model curriculum for secondary school counselor education programs at the Master's level. Brief descriptions of data collection methods and development of the model program are given. The framework of the program is outlined including the core required courses: Introduction to School Counseling, Counseling Theory and…

To consolidate the diversity of opinion about the definition of competency, an operational definition and skills classification matrix is presented. Although most people agree that competency tests should measure student ability to transfer academic training to life situations, the fact that life skills and school skills represent different…

This vocational guidance training model is designed for vocational and technical education teachers who need special instruction in order to function effectively as members of vocational guidance teams in schools that have competency-based vocational education programs. The model defines vocational guidance, vocational education, competency-based…

This paper describes a counseling model for providing comprehensive counseling and student services to adults. This proactive counseling model emphasizes the need for counselors and teachers to reach out to meet the needs of adult students. Specific counseling suggestions are presented in each of five areas: (1) intake-orientation, (2) placement…

Knowledge supply chains are market-driven, competency-based systems in which education and training are aligned to help employers, educators, workers, and students navigate more effectively in the global economy. Three key trends warrant attention in today's global economy: (1) knowledge and skill needs are escalating and changing rapidly; (2)…

Discusses falling educational standards in America in light of a report issued by the National Commission on Excellence in Education. Reviews such remedies as attracting talented college students into teaching mathematics through "forgiveness loans," and establishing functional literacy examinations, state-wide graduation requirements, and…

This book is the fourth in a series aiming to promote international exchange of ideas, experiences, and studies relating to technical and vocational education. The introduction reviews traditional practices in assessment and chapter 2 highlights the connections between assessment and learning, emphasizing that assessment is the most significant…

Discusses whether the proficiency approach to teaching Arabic, which is now advocated, is really functional enough to suit true needs of students, and whether the debate concerning proficiency is becoming so polarized as to make impossible real discussion of the issues. Trends and changes that have occurred in the Arabic language over the decades…

The lack of emphasis on occupational literacy competencies in most public school reading curricula leaves students poorly prepared for the demands of the workplace. Most jobs require mastery of the following literacy competencies: technical vocabulary; locating and using information; following directions; and self-monitoring of comprehension and…

The Iowa Vocational Assessment System (IVAS) conducted extensive research and developed an assessment model appropriate for use by local education agencies to assess competency-based curriculum. Two school districts requested and administered the Iowa Career Education Inventory with IVAS assistance in administration, scoring, and interpretation of…