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…

This task force report defines competency-based education (CBE) as a system of education designed to develop competencies in those who are products of the system. A distinction is made between CBE and performance based education (PBE) in this report. Although the American Association of Colleges for Teacher Education Committee on Performance-Based…

The relationship between individualized instruction (II) and letter grades is an issue of considerable debate. Ultimately, II and the letter grade system are incompatible. Grading has been a traditional form for ranking or comparing students with respect to performance criteria. The scale typically has been A to F, whereas with individualized…

The article reviews the characteristics generally identified as common to competency-based education and offers planning suggestions for teachers: (1) prestated and published performance objectives, (2) accountability, (3) personalized and individualized instruction, and (4) delivery systems, which provide several modes of instruction pertinent to…

Explains the eight areas of change involved in the switch from conventional'' to more individualized, objective-oriented instruction. (SP)

Explains the eight areas of change involved in the switch from conventional'' to more individualized, objective-oriented instruction. (SP)

The authors offer a plan for a competency-based education program. Teachers need to follow three steps: (1) identify competencies needed by graduates, (2) plan and provide learning activities to develop the competencies identified, and (3) verify acquisition of competencies. (Office of Vocational Education, State Dept. of Education, P.O. Box 1131,…

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)

Mastery criterion manipulation may produce dramatic behavioral effects. Results of a study investigating three undergraduate classes indicate that the 90 percent criterion class was inferior to both the 80 percent and the varied 60-90 percent criterion class on several measures, including degree of accuracy and final grade. (BJG)

The course approach reported in this document provides an alternative method of attaining the departmentally-accepted general course goals for basic speech communication. This approach begins with the identification of the student's core communication competencies which, divided into component concepts and subskills, are stated as behavioral…

It is argued that three misconceptions about language learning have limited the utility of performance objectives in individualized second language instruction. These misconceptions--confusion between competence and performance, inadequate identification of linguistic elements, and assumption that linguistic elements correspond to learning…

Mastery learning has been called cold and impersonal. On the contrary, it is humane because it allows for individual differences, emphasizes each student's ability to master the subject at hand, and provides honest and opencommunication between students and instructors. (DC)