Some advantages and disadvantages of competency based vocational teacher education are presented and discussed. While the advantages center on the quality output of this type of teacher education, the authors warn of a teacher education system that may become politicized and deprofessionalized. (DS)

Reports progress on the National Occupational Competency Testing Project. (Editor)

The results are discussed of a two year study by home economists in West Virginia to establish competency requirements for home economics teachers. Developments include competencies for a comprehensive program for grades 7-12, specialized programs for secondary teachers grades 7-9, and a specialized program for elementary teachers grades 4-8. (DS)

The National Occupational Testing Institute, which provides a program of occupational competency examinations for vocational education, will enable individuals in vocational education to participate in higher education through demonstrated competence. Its efforts will assist in improving vocational teacher competence and raise the professional…

A consortium approach in Delaware's State technical schools offers a common B. S. degree competency-based program to persons seeking a teaching career in either trade and industry or industrial arts. (Author/AJ)

Operation TECPAK (Teacher Competency Packet), a system for delivering vocational education certification courses off the college campus, is described as open-entry, competency-based, individualized instruction with space free/time free instruction which maintains opportunities for contact between teacher educator and teacher. (BM)

This description of the INDEPTH program (Inservice Distributive Education Program of Teaching Help) in Virginia includes a discussion of the program's background, salient features, and its six 15-hour modules. (The program was developed by distributive education personnel in three Virginia universities, the Virginia Department of Education, and…

Describes the instructional materials produced and distributed by the American Association for Vocational Instructional Materials (AAVIM), an interstate organization of universities, colleges, and state divisions of vocational education, not to compete with but to supplement state work. AAVIM also publishes performance-based teacher education…

Overview of two speeches to trade and industrial (T&I) teachers at the annual vocational convention, (1) urging them to build up leadership and to have faith in AVA's ability to work effectively with their concerns and (2) noting the need for common sense, more research, and more emphasis on human qualities in the use of competency based…