The merits and methods of providing feedback to students and student organizations to improve performance are outlined. The methods include behavior contracts, self-disclosure, individual vs. group feedback, opinion polls, and positive reinforcement. (MSE)

The concept of growth contracting in higher education and the applications and limitations of growth plans are examined. In addition, critical steps in the process of developing contracts with faculty are identified. A professional growth plan is a binding agreement, which helps faculty and institutional representatives clarify specific goals.…

The survey of potential student interest in the Unified Studies Program began February 3, 1974 and continued through March 11. The program was aimed at undergraduate students who were not formally at Boston State College on a full-time basis. Survey returns covered: (1) potential students; (2) source of participating students; and (3) students…

This summary covers the experiences of the staff of the Unified Studies Program at Boston State College from September 1973 through August 1975. Included is: (1) the planning phase, (2) team building, (3) staff, (4) administrative support, (5) potential students, (6) compromises, (7) funding, (8) use of the learning contracts, () contract hours,…

The Unified Studies Program began at Boston State College in September of 1974. Its model is based on team-teaching, learning contracts, small interdisciplinary seminars, and other open-classroom and unified educational learning/teaching techniques. Boston State College had been compelled to shift its academic assumptions because of financial…

The structure and budget for a proposed center for nontraditional learning are delineated. Establishment of sponsored and unsponsored divisions is advocated. The center would help students determine life goals, learning goals, and learning styles. Development of a credentialing procedure for unsponsored learning is described. (Author/LBH)

This document contains nine essays which provide guidelines and directions for implementing competency-based teacher education (CBTE) programs. Selections include the following: (a) "Characteristics of Competency-based Teacher Education Programs;" (b) "The Development of a Comprehensive Competency-Based Teacher Education Program: A Model for…

The program of faculty development by growth contracting at Gordon College, Massachusetts, is described and evaluated, and a faculty development manual is presented. Under the growth contracting program, each participating faculty member writes a faculty profile that contains an assessment of strengths and weaknesses, a statement of current…

The Master of Arts programs in Human Development and Education at Saint Mary's College (Minnesota) arose in response to a need felt by many involved in the helping professions for a nontraditional approach to graduate education. The program is designed to develop competence in understanding one's own growth as well as that of others with whom the…

Papers presented at the Conference include: "Biopsy of an Educational Growth" (J.R. Harsh), "Performance Contracting--The Dallas Experiment" (D.R. Waldrip), "Teaching Performance Tests at Three Levels of Accountability" (W.J. Popham), "Problems of Implementing the Writing of Behavioral Objectives" (R.M. Carson), "Program Planning Impact…

Evaluation of prior learning for the External Degree Program at Florida International University is described. Efforts in the following areas are presented: (1) implementation and evaluation of the competency-based assessment tool, (2) integration of the assessment process with other processes of the External Degree Program and the entire…

The handbook provides practical guidelines for approaching and carrying out an individual program at the University Without Walls (UWW). Section one gives an overview of UWW, with key affiliations, concepts, and materials, and a look at student participation. Section two contains information on implementing a program: program advisors, faculty…

Four experiential learning programs that are in the early stages of development are described. The report from the Consortium of the California State University and Colleges details the efforts of a traditional, decentralized system to introduce flexibility into the use of examinations for crediting prior learning. A description of a large,…