Supporting the professional development of teachers to enhance mathematics learning is an important consideration of global education initiatives. However, designing and implementing professional development depends on the structures in place in different contexts. For instance, some structures involve different roles played by the different…

This paper explores the process of assessment in social work education programs throughout the United States. Following the guidelines of the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) 2008 Educational Policy and Accreditation Standards (EPAS), social work education has switched from student learning outcomes to competency-based measures. Included in…

How can assessment and evaluation policies work together more effectively to improve student outcomes in primary and secondary schools? The country reports in this series provide, from an international perspective, an independent analysis of major issues facing evaluation and assessment policy to identify improvements that can be made to enhance…

This is a critical reflection on the results of a study that the French International Center for Pedagogical Studies (CIEP) piloted in 2008-2009 in five sub-Saharan African countries which were implementing curriculum reforms adopting the "competency-based approach". The article refers to a seminar on this process and the ideas expressed…

Perhaps for valid reasons, the nation's educational leadership preparation programs are under scrutiny. The Wallace Foundation has written several reports, as has the Southern Regional Education Board, which make specific recommendations to reinvent traditional educational leadership programs. In response, the state of Georgia discontinued all…

This paper explores the many and diverse factors that have driven changes to the field-based component of a program of teacher education in a large Canadian university over the past 10 years. We look at key contexts of influence to any work in program change; that of internal and external bodies at the institutional level, the operational or…

Author described competency based education-oriented academic programs and the planning for their implementation. His general purpose was to defend the use of CBE through an effective evaluation effort that would show the program was succeeding. (RK)

The article explains how a formative evaluation in the context of a university in a developing country involving different stakeholders contributed to the development of proposals to improve ongoing educational practices. The case to be discussed is the implementation of generic competencies in the Faculty of Education at the Eduardo Mondlane…

Some tentative evidence bears out the claims of competency based education (CBE) theory, suggesting that well implemented CBE programs can bring significant benefits; however, CBE still remains a largely untested innovation, according to the author of this analysis paper. He outlines CBE in theory--its definition, implications, benefits, and…

This case study, conducted by a doctoral student in educational administration, indicates that Florida State University's Department of Educational Leadership is changing from a traditional classroom setting to a performance-based, student-centered ambience. Service is being delivered to students in various ways. Faculty members and students…

This book provides a review of (primarily Australian) research on competency-based training (CBT). It includes information on the industrial and economic contexts that formed the backdrop for training reform in Australia. Information is presented to show how implementation of CBT has affected teaching, learning, and administration in vocational…

This collection of articles of international appeal on the future of vocational and technical education and training begins with an introduction by William Hall and includes the following papers: "New Vocationalism in the United States: Potential Problems and Outlook" (Benson); "Learning within a Work Context: Training Concepts,…

This packet includes reprints of journal articles and other information concerning student, program, and staff assessment in small, rural schools. The five sections of the packet cover an introduction to authentic assessment, classroom and subject area assessment, descriptions of assessment programs, assessment of school boards and staff members,…

This manual is designed as a training tool for individuals who are implementing tech prep in Indiana. It is divided into three major divisions. Division I contains general information about tech prep and issues related to its implementation. Its nine chapters summarize relevant legislation, address leadership concerns, explain curriculum…

The Division of Teacher Education and Psychology at Southwestern Oklahoma State University has developed a unique approach to the task ofimproving teacher education. The uniqueness of the approach lies in (1) the attempt to revise an on-going program without additional funding, personnel, and released time; (2) the use of the basic tenents of…