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)

The Army Skill Qualification Tests (SQT's) were designed to determine levels of competence in performance of the tasks crucial to an enlisted soldier's occupational specialty. SQT's are performance-based, criterion-referenced measures which offer two advantages over traditional proficiency and achievement testing programs: test content can be made…

The development and evaluation of prototype hands-on equipment, job sample performance tests for a high skilled technical Military Occupational Specialty (MOS) are described. An electronic maintenance MOS (26C20) was used as the research vehicle. The results led to the conclusion that valid and reliable performance tests could be constructed, but…

This volume reports an effort to use the video media as an approach for the preparation of a battery of symbolic tests that would be empirically valid substitutes for criterion referenced Job Task Performance Tests. The graphic symbolic tests require the storage of a large amount of pictorial information which must be searched rapidly for display.…

This handbook provides a short, simple, non-academic, and practical guide on instruction in an on-the-job setting. It teaches job instructors the skills, knowledge, and techniques necessary to carry out job training in vocational and technical areas. Part 1 focuses on elements present in the job instruction setting that must be weighed to maximize…

This set of 21 performance tests in electronics technology was developed on the basis of a review of commercial and noncommercial instructional materials dealing with electronics technology. The tests, which were reviewed by a group of community college instructors and an advisory committee for electronics technology, address the following…

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 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…

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).…

These conference proceedings contain statements from those concerned with various aspects of research on job performance measures. Following introductory remarks, the formal presentations of work and ideas include "Air Training Command Interest in the Criterion Problem," by Donald E. Meyer, "The Criterion Problem: A Personnel…

This handbook is designed to provide Ohio's vocational teachers with guidelines and materials for assessing student performance in the areas of academic, occupational, and employability skills. Chapter 1 examines assessment in the context of the educational reform agenda and efforts to link assessment and instruction and reviews the purposes of…

The 75 papers included in these conference proceedings discuss testing conducted by the different brances of the armed forces. The importance of relating necessary job skills to the skills measured by the tests administered to the job applicants is emphasized. Various evaluation methods--including peer rating, aptitude testing, adaptive testing,…