According to accreditation and professional bodies, evaluation and grading are a high priority in counselor education. Specifications grading, an evaluative tool, can be used to increase grading rigor. This article describes the components of specifications grading and applies the framework of specifications grading to a counseling theories course.

The use of stated behavioral objectives and student learning contracts, planned and prepared by student and teacher, as teaching methods are discussed and an example of a learning contract is presented. (JB)

A study was conducted to determine if behavior contracting promotes learning of behavior strategies beyond what is learned in health instruction. The ability of college students to remember and apply behavioral strategies to a personal health situation was the focus of the study. (DF)

The effectiveness of a training package for teaching behavioral contractors to conduct initial assessment interviews was evaluated. Verbal responses including professional conduct statements, behavioral assessment questions, and positive process statements were targeted for instruction. Training consisted of written prompts and quizzes, rehearsal,…

Competency-based education involves the specification of instructional objectives such that the time spent by each student may vary, but achievement levels are held constant: it is the competency attained which is important. The 19 chapters in this volume present the experiences, views, and predictions of different educators with competency-based…

A teacher's use of appealing physical education activities to develop other educational skills and to encourage behavior change in learning impaired children is described. The teacher makes up a behavior plan with each child in the homeroom; positive behavior earns breaks, free play, and the right to use gym equipment and to participate in…

Discussion of the nature of student-teacher contracts pertaining to academic work to be performed by the student and evaluated by the teacher covers a wide range of related issues in this article. The nature of contracts, evaluation procedures, instructional materials, community attitudes, and the individualization of instruction are commented on…

Behavior management involves both the encouragement of social behavior and the reduction of inappropriate behavior. Initially, teaching efforts should be directed at identifying socially acceptable alternatives. If these efforts are unsuccessful, additional procedures that are specifically directed at the inappropriate behavior may be warranted.…