Examines three questions concerning a competency-based core curriculum in vocational agriculture: (1) What is it? (2) How does a competency-based core curriculum differ from other curricular approaches? (3) Should a competency-based curriculum be developed in a local district? (LRA)

Curriculum developers in agricultural education are designing and recommending that teachers teach a one- or two-year competency-based core curriculum to all students in agriculture/agribusiness. Specialized vocational agriculture programs are built on the knowledge, skills, attitudes, and experiences developed by the core curriculum. (LRA)

This discussion of occupational education suggests that traditional programs, which award status on the basis of time spent, be replaced with programs that define worth in terms of competence. The paper first looks at some of the socioeconomic conditions underscoring the need for a change from traditional educational practices. Next, the…

The popular educational reform trend toward competency testing is appropriate to measure achievement in the basic skills areas, but competency testing in core curriculum areas may cause teachers to teach for the test, lead to minimal standards at the expense of excellence, and stifle the transfer of learning and creativity. (CB)

This report: (1) investigates the declining state of the educational system in America, as measured by high school student performance in the United States and other countries; (2) identifies specific problem areas; and (3) offers multiple recommendations for improvement. The five major recommendations arrived at appear, respectively, under the…

The National Commission on Excellence in Education authored a report, "A Nation At Risk," that investigates the declining state of the educational system in America, identifies specific problem areas, and offers multiple recommendations for improvement. This publication is designed to help school administrators use the Commission's…