Developers of high stakes criterion-referenced tests are urged to formulate test tasks so that efficient instruction can promote student mastery of the domain. Time-on-task has been promoted by instructional psychologists as preferable to test teaching. (DWH)

This sourcebook describes specific sources of potential utility to those responsible for designing, installing, and operating competency-based education (CBE) programs. Four major types of resources are described--available materials from which selections may be made; products that provide guidelines for selecting from available materials;…

Presents a four-step conceptual framework for designing workshops to teach educators software infusion (SI), i.e., the use of computer software to enhance instructional effectiveness in school academic areas. Suggestions for implementation and sample worksheets accompany the discussions of each step. (MBR)

One purpose of this paper is to describe how the concept of statewide minimum standards has been used in other states and to suggest precisely how it should be used in New Jersey. Current New Jersey law requires districts to establish pupil proficiency levels in basic skills, to identify children who fall below them, and to provide those children…

This conference reaction paper tracks some of the common themes that run through five papers presented at the same conference at the session on curricular and instructional issues in compensatory education with special reference to Chapter 1 of the Education Consolidation and Improvement Act of 1981. The reaction paper attempts to interpret the…

The material in this secondary (grades 9-12) curriculum guide is designed to help local Georgia school systems integrate and develop programs that will meet the broad goals of an effective social studies program and also the requirements of the state's competency education program. In the first part, four main curriculum components (knowledge,…

A remediation approach developed by the Vilonia public schools (Arkansas) to remediate content/skill deficiencies in middle level students resulted from three conditions: state laws and regulations regarding minimum competency testing; more awareness of problems with at-risk students; and recognition of the need to reach students academically…

This document outlines the present preservice teacher education program in Japan and proposes some innovations. The basic concepts of education in Japan are listed and are said to be included in objectives of all teacher training programs. Several features of teacher education curricula are described, including the types of certificates available,…

The document describes social studies and history courses offered in the junior high and senior high schools of Henry County, Tennessee. The syllabi were developed as part of a Teacher's Corps Demonstration Project. The overall objectives of the syllabi are to inform students and parents of the minimum competencies expected in social studies and…

The purpose of this publication is to define minimal competencies for foreign language classes. The term "simulation" refers to role playing. The simulations are stated in terms of practical communication performance objectives. The intent is to have the student direct his learning in the basic skills toward an immediate objective rather than a…

This newsletter reports on the activities of Equipped for the Future (EFF), which is a National Institute for Literacy (NIFL) initiative that develops content standards to ensure that every adult can gain the knowledge and skills needed to fulfill real-world responsibilities as workers, parents, and citizens. A message from the NIFL…

This basic math skills teaching and learning guide contains practical advice and resources for British vocational teachers who have little formal mathematics education training and for beginning teachers. The document has five sections on these topics dealing with numeracy instruction: (1) overview of the basic skill and its application to other…