What should we teach in our schools and vocational education and higher education institutions? Is theoretical knowledge still important? This book argues that providing students with access to knowledge should be the raison d'etre of education. Its premise is that access to knowledge is an issue of social justice because society uses it to…

If management's motives are clearly aimed at improved performance for individual and organizational growth, and if the process is applied faithfully both in spirit and in action, a measurable return on investment is virtually guaranteed. Therefore, the author calls for an effort that would integrate the performance-evaluation process into an…

Although competency based education (CBE) offers solutions to some educational problems, it is not a cure-all. Problems with CBE include emphasis on output rather than the instructional process itself, over-reliance on occupational competencies and behavioral objectives, a tendency to lower academic standards, and the difficulty of implementation.…

Argues that the diversity of community colleges justifies a more subtle system of classification than the traditional Carnegie system, but the large number of missions taken on by community colleges complicates this goal. Makes a distinction between a characteristics-based system and an output-based system. Uses distinction to discuss schemes…

Presented in the guise of a hypothetical school board meeting, this information is intended to summarize the elements of competency based education (CBE) in a way that is easy to read and will increase understanding of its potential for improving education. It is aimed at state departments of education, school districts, and schools. Organized as…

This is the concluding part of an article published in the August 1983 edition. A number of arguments are developed to demonstrate the inadequacy of behaviorally defined objectives as a basis for curriculum planning. (SSH)

The author cites several definitions of "accountability" in education, looks at some state accountability legislation and lawsuits, and considers the meaning of and obstacles to educational accountability. Discussing such topics as who is accountable for success and who controls the curriculum, he concludes that legislating accountability in…

In this book comprised of six chapters, multiple aspects of competency based education (CBE) are discussed contextually by various authors in terms of the current educational climate wherein the primary emphasis is upon learning outcomes rather than the process of learning itself. To illuminate the notion of competence, Chapter 1 presents:…

Reaction to the article, "A Critical Analysis of Competency Based Systems in Adult Education," was altogether a surprise. The author believes that, for a better understanding of human action and its vital manifestations, we need to apply our categories in a less trenchant manner, checking them continuously for their relevance to life-world…

Discusses Robert Mager's theory of performance-based objectives that keeps trainers on a goal-oriented track and offers the promise of results. Indicates that society and the workplace are increasingly more complex and that trainers must be more versatile and know when to adapt Mager-type objectives to meet their needs. (JOW)

This critique of competency-based education discusses competencies in relation to excessive reductionism, behavioral psychology, determinism, bureaucratization, serial thinking, and the industrial-commercial nexus. The author shows that competency-based systems assume the existence of a social reality that is, however, an artificial extrapolation…

Asserts that school systems will have to convert from their traditional methods of organizing and operating if competencies beyond the basic skills are to be taught. (Author/IRT)

This paper first explains outcome-based education and then considers specific questions related to serving gifted students in an outcome-based education school community, with special application to Pennsylvania. Outcome-based education is defined in terms of its emphasis on establishing learning outcomes, developing appropriate measures, and…

This conference paper examines issues regarding minimum competency testing, including: (1) the history and current status of minimum competency testing programs, in the U.S. and especially in the Midwest; (2) technical characteristics of minimum competency tests; (3) the relationship of minimum competency tests to the regular curriculum and…

Reviews and discusses the potential accomplishments and limitations of a performance-based method of deriving instructional content, taking into account five broad classes of learning outcomes--intellectual skills, information, cognitive strategies, attitudes, and motor skills--which are viewed as what is learned in any or all of the subjects of a…