The much-criticized Reading Instruction Competence Assessment (RICA) is not aligned with current Common Core literacy standards, is expensive, has a low pass rate on the first try of 66%, and keeps People of Color from joining the profession (California Commission on Teacher Credentialing, 2019). The test maybe replaced with coursework. Critics…

This paper provides information about noncredit instruction in the California Community Colleges and updates the 2009 paper "Noncredit Instruction: Opportunity and Challenge" to incorporate subsequent changes from the last decade. Since the passage of SB 361 (Scott, 2006), noncredit instruction has seen significant changes, including the…

"Next Generation Learning Models for English Language Learners" seeks to highlight the promising practices and trends in new designs to advance learning for English language learner (ELL) students. This paper is designed for practitioners, including educators and education leaders, who want to advance next generation learning models to…

Lindsay Unified School District (California) exemplifies the promise of competency education (or performance-based education, as it is called locally). Since beginning its transition to the model in 2009, discipline problems have sharply dropped, the school climate has dramatically improved (as measured by the California Healthy Kids Survey), and…

The California Collaborative on District Reform convened in Oakland for a two-day meeting, "Integrating Academic, Social, and Emotional Learning to Advance Equity and Achievement." The meeting explored methods to support and integrate academic, social, and emotional learning in K-12 education. Implementation efforts surrounding the…

Many states are experimenting with mechanisms for making college more affordable while maintaining quality and access. This report examines promising or innovative state programs to improve college affordability and credential attainment. Many of these approaches show innovative thinking and bear watching to see if they result in meaningful…

This forum provided an overview of competency-based pathways to education and described programs that have successfully utilized these pathways to move all students to success in high school and beyond. Speakers highlighted how innovative learning environments that base student advancement upon mastery of measurable learning objectives have been…

This article reflects lessons learned from work with thousands of educators from all types of K-12 schools. While recognizing that there is no schooling-for-sustainability blueprint that fits all schools, the Center for Ecoliteracy--www.ecoliteracy.org--in Berkeley, California, has articulated a set of precepts that it calls "Smart by…

This handbook is designed to help vocational educators identify changes in the labor market and to incorporate these changes quickly and effectively into their curricula. It guides teachers and administrators through the major steps in developing competency-based curricula for new and emerging occupations--i.e., (1) to identify new and emerging…

Designed as a resource for elementary teachers (4-6), this curriculum activities guide is second in a set of four based on an articulated (K-12) career education competency curriculum model designed to infuse career education into the curriculum on a districtwide basis. Materials for each of the four program components are arranged under the…

Designed as a resource for K-3 teachers, this curriculum activities guide is first in a set of four based on an articulated K-12 career education competency curriculum model designed to infuse career education into the curriculum on a districtwide basis. Materials for each of the four program components are arranged under the following headings:…

Designed as a resource for high school teachers (9-12), this curriculum activities guide is fourth in a set of four based on an articulated (K-12) career education competency curriculum model designed to infuse career education into the curriculum on a districtwide basis. Materials for each of the four program components are arranged under the…

Designed as a resource for junior high teachers (7-8), this curriculum activities guide is third in a set of four based on an articulated (K-12) career education competency curriculum model designed to infuse career education into the curriculum on a districtwide basis. Materials for each of the four program components are arranged under the…

This paper focuses on planning, development, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation of a competency-based curriculum that could be a model or guide for state correctional systems. Chapter 1 addresses the need for strong educational leadership to effect change in the curriculum of a prison system. Chapter 2 contains background and problem…

A project to develop a field-based, competency-based training program for community development practitioners was undertaken in the Central Coast Region of California. Competency objectives were identified from a literature review of community development practice and information obtained from field practitioners and community members. Four…