While minimum competency testing may cause education to become less pluralistic, its effect will weigh most heavily upon those who fail to pass the tests. Because such testing does nothing to improve teaching or learning, one result will be to hold the student responsible for the educational system's failure. (Author/GC)

The article is concerned with the school education of young adults who leave and go directly into employment, combined where possible with part-time further education. (ABM)

Discusses the status of the competency based education movement, curriculum issues relating to the CBE movement, and potential benefits of the CBE movement. (RK)

Examines the continuing controversy on test scores and student achievement in New Jersey. (RK)

This article provides an initial look at the matches and mismatches between expectations held for vocational education programs and empirically observed outcomes. Three types of claims for vocational education were compared with recent research. The article concludes with recommendations for improving the alignment between expectations and…

Argues that schools should focus on developing individuals capable of independent learning for technological/information age; basic skills can be taught at home with microcomputers; major changes are necessary in organizational structure, curriculum, instructional mode, software design, and teacher education to accommodate new educational…

Evaluation of student minimal competency should be based partly on national concerns, partly on local concerns, and partly on the needs of the learner. Evaluation must be built into all levels. (JMF)

Based on a 3-year case study of an open-access community college, this monograph examines the background, causes, and possible resolutions for the decline of literacy in open-access colleges. Chapter 1 presents a working definition of literacy, considers the nature of literacy in a community college setting, and raises issues concerning the impact…

Examples of programs and activities at North Seattle Community College (NSCC) are used to support the argument that there is an important relationship among faculty renewal, student success, and basic learning skills that should be strengthened and promoted. First, underpinning assumptions are put forth regarding faculty renewal and faculty…

This curriculum guide provides aid in organizing and planning for the mathematical needs of the individual classroom. It is recommended that: (1) each teacher study the entire curriculum to become familiar with the concepts that interlock and blend all the grades together, and (2) all students with average ability master 70% of the skills. The…

The need to develop students' critical thinking skills is examined in this paper, along with existing academic support services, federal regulations and requirements, data on minority group students, and measures of program effectiveness. Many programs provide tutorial services to help the student meet the demands of coursework and to increase…

This publication outlines goals that a consensus of educators and lay persons consider important for K-12 citizenship and social studies education. In the 1981-82 school year, the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) will conduct a third national survey of the citizenship and social studies achievements of 9-, 13-, and 17-year-olds.…

The high school minimal competency examination described in this document is part one of a three-part program that requires that all students satisfactorily complete tests in reading, language arts, and mathematics prior to receiving a high school diploma. The document outlines the test development and assessment program and describes the plan for…

An application for a proposed South Umpqua School District (Oregon) Experimental Schools project is provided. The project will personalize and intensify those instructional processes dealing with basic education and career preparation. The goals of the project are: A. Operational Processes--personalization of instruction, parent/patron…