Practical skills tests are provided for fire fighter trainees in the Wisconsin Fire Service Certification Series, Fire Fighter Levels I, II, and III. A course introduction appears first and contains this information: recommended instructional sequence, required facilities, instructional methodology, requirements for certification, course…

This report of the social studies inservice education program in San Mateo, California, focuses on performance objectives developed for substantive concepts, for skills, and for the affective area. A list of twenty substantive social science concepts was selected by the committee from a variety of sources. Performance objectives and sample test…

Ninety objectives and related test items for use in grades 7 through 12 are presented. Each sample contains an objective, test items, and criteria for judging the adequacy of the response. Objectives are organized into the following categories: (1) property of metals; (2) operations and functions; (3) cutting and shearing; (4) filing; (5) cutting…

Eighty-five behavioral objectives and related evaluation items for mechanical drawing in grades 7 through 12 are presented. Each sample contains the objective, test items, and means for judging the adequacy of the response. The following categories are included: (1) basic drafting skills; (2) beginning lettering; (3) drawing; (4) orthographic…

The study determined whether increased cognitive performance occurs when a college instructor employs daily behavioral objectives as an integral component of instructional strategy versus an instructional approach without specific daily objectives. Findings showed that behavioral objectives facilitated increased geographic test achievement and…

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,…

Applied performance tests (APTs) are defined as tests designed to measure performance, in an actual or simulated setting, of tasks significant to a student's life outside the school or significant to adult life. A number of examples are presented to illustrate which skills may be classified as applied performance (such as file a tax return or…

The woodworking collection is composed of 55 objectives and related evaluation items for use in grades 7 through 12. Each sample contains the objective, test items, and criteria for judging the adequacy of the response. Woodworking categories being measured include sharpening, adjusting, using and caring for tools; reading a working drawing; stock…

Some of the problems and arguments related to behavioral objectives are examined, and a modified approach to objectives and measurements that, it is hoped, will be acceptable to both behaviorists and humanists is suggested. The following reasons for opposition to behavioral objectives are explored: (1) meaningful objectives are often discarded…

Performance-based certification for educational professionals has been stimulated by demand for accountability and educational reform. This article suggests simulated situations and situational response testing as a viable means of contrasting individuals across a number of criteria variables in realistic settings. (Author)

This article addresses performance testing based on criterion-referenced measurement. A brief description of performance objectives is presented, followed by a discussion of the different types of performance tests: pencil and paper, identification, simulation, and work sample. Checklists and other types of rating scales are identified. (CT)