The author argues that competency-based education does not fit all vocational education applications and should be used in moderation. He also discusses vocational education's focus on actual occupational tasks and the use of criterion-referenced measurement of performance. (CT)

Intended to assist those working in the field of occupational competency testing, this report summarizes major milestones in the history of competency measurement in vocational education and overviews the current state of the art. To provide an orientation to the environment that stimulated the current interest in occupational competency testing,…

Attention has recently been focused on the need to design and validate instructional materials that guarantee competent student performance. In preparing such products, developers have come to rely on competency-based achievement tests. Unfortunately, expertise for constructing reliable and valid competency-based instruments is not currently…

Performance standards are useful tools when comparative evaluation or personal selection are not appropriate for decision making. The concept was developed in 1962 when Glaser introduced criterion referenced testing, to emphasize the importance of making test scores informative about learning processes rather than comparing them to other people's…

A number of significant policy issues related to the use of competency tests in basic skills as a requirement for high school graduation are discussed. Issues contributing to the interest in this practice include test score decline, the widespread offering of electives in high school, the complaints of employers about the skill level of high…

A project was conducted to develop two criterion-referenced, multiple-choice tests and a performance test for the dental assistant occupational area. Procedures were recommended for administration of the tests and field test and for revision of the tests. Evaluation experts analyzed the performance standards being tested, drafted test items,…

This module, the first of four units about vocational competency measurement, is module 17 in the Vocational Education Curriculum Specialist series. The purpose stated for the document is to trace the growth of the formal measurement of skills, knowledge, and attitudes in vocational programs and to present some uses of competency testing in…

This publication is part of a series of self-instructional teacher training manuals designed to assist vocational-technical educators or industrial trainers to develop and implement competency-based vocational education (CBVE) programs. The purpose stated for this manual is for the instructor to learn to construct performance and written…

This module, the third of four units about vocational competency measurement, is module 19 in the Vocational Education Curriculum Specialist series. The purpose stated for the document is to help in the development of both written and performance competency tests based on the needs identified for testing a particular program and the standards and…

These proceedings contain 17 papers from plenary sessions, workshops, and other presentations at a conference to consider and clarify major issues in assessment and standards in vocational education and training, including identification of problems and suggested solutions. A summary of discussions follows most presentations. Plenary session…

A project was conducted to develop two criterion-referenced, multiple-choice tests and a performance test for the hotel clerk occupational area. Procedures were recommended for administration of the tests and field test and for revision of the tests. Evaluation experts analyzed the performance standards being tested, drafted test items, reviewed…

The Basic Medical Specialist course has one of the largest enrollments of the U.S. Army's Academy of Health Sciences; 11,000 soldiers were trained in this course in 1977 and 1978. Training encompasses both emergency first aid (for field medics) and basic nursing skills. A task force working to improve Army training developed this course, in…

This articulation guide contains 21 units of instruction for two years of machine shop. The objectives of the program are to provide the student with the basic terminology and fundamental knowledge and skills in machining (year 1) and to teach him/her to set up and operate machine tools and make or repair metal parts, tools, and machines (year 2).…