The implicit definition of competence and the inferential chain that links the standard-setting process to the decision outcomes of the method are considered for two classes of standard-setting procedures: those involving data-free judgments of items and those involving data-based judgment of items. The major underlying assumptions of competence…

Intended for use by school administrators, guidance counselors, teachers, and proctors, this manual contains general information on Regents examinations and competency tests. Specifically, the regulations and procedures for ordering, administering, rating, and reporting results of these examinations are described. Information is also included…

The issue of minimal competency testing for high school graduation and grade to grade promotion as a method of emphasizing the teaching of basic skills and guaranteeing that the high school diploma will "mean something" has received widespread legislative attention in recent years. In this report, data pertaining to the enforcement of minimal…

The key elements to this plan for special education students are keeping a check on student achievement throughout all the grades, communicating with parents about student deficiencies, and requiring competency tests of all high school students. (Author/IRT)

Outlines recent court cases related to schools concerning such things as tax exempt status for private schools, minimum competency testing as a graduation requirement, religious groups meeting in schools, and racial discrimination when rehiring teachers who were laid off. (JM)

Survey research establishes that beardedness correlates with many desired outcomes and supports that a minimal level of beardedness be set as a prerequisite for high school graduation. Research problems of concept clarification, domain-definition, instrument development, and standard setting methods are discussed. The political considerations of…

Once a year every student in Hazelwood (Missouri) high schools is required to write a composition. This Total School Writing Assessment is a major step in an effort to emphasize writing skills and to make writing competence a requirement for graduation. (SK)

Reviewing the current justifications for minimum competency testing (MCT) programs, the author finds them inadequate. He asks whether reading, writing, and computation skills can be proven necessary for a successful life and whether MCT programs can be demonstrated to be the best means of promoting students' living skills. (SJL)

The author examines concerns about whether or not, and by what criteria, handicapped students should be included in or excluded from comprehensive competency testing programs, as well as the implications of minimum competency testing for the handicapped. Pertinent legislation from several states is discussed. (Author/SJL)

The 32 tests described in this bibliography cover grades K-12 and are used to assess minimum competency in individual subjects such as mathematics, reading, or writing, or other basic academic areas. Several of the tests are state minimum competency examinations which students must pass in order to graduate. This document is one in a series of…

This manual, accompanying the New York State Regents Examinations and Competency Tests, is intended for use by school administrators, guidance counselors, teachers, and proctors. Regents examinations measure the quality of instruction and learning that has taken place in high schools, and provide information for educational and vocational decision…

Reported research and analysis concerning competency tests required for high school graduation and concerning dropping out of school point to ambiguous hypotheses about the effects of graduation tests on early school leaving. A review of the literature indicates the existence of data on the process nature of dropping out, the centrality of…

General guidelines for administering the Grade 12 Diploma Examinations for June 1987 in Alberta, Canada, include shipping dates of the tests, a schedule for returning examinations, securing test materials, and handling walk-in candidates. Additional information includes what to do about students who arrive late, violation of examination rules,…

This bulletin contains general guidelines on the Diploma Examinations Program required for all grade 12 students for the 1987-88 school year in Alberta, Canada. The grade 12 Diploma Examinations Program is an integral part of the high school diploma requirements and is intended to develop and maintain excellence in educational standards through…

Minimum competency testing (MCT) programs for students are growing in popularity and being adopted by many states. In order to determine the extent of the MCT movement, researchers at North Carolina State University surveyed state departments of education in all 50 states. In updating these data for 1986-1987, it was found that 64 percent of the…