The Programme for the International Assessment of Adult Competencies (PIAAC) has been planned as an ongoing program of assessment. The first cycle of the assessment has involved two "rounds." The first round, which is covered by this report, took place over the period of January 2008-October 2013. The main features of the first cycle of…

Although there is no definitive answer as to how skilled typists type as fast as they do, a leading hypothesis suggests that typists learning to type well learn to make mental processes overlap. The hypothesis and signficance related to skill development is among the topics discussed. (JN)

Psychologists, by the very nature of their work, are faced with practicing at the borders of their competence, for two reasons. First, they may encounter certain clients or situations for which they are only minimally prepared; and second, as human beings they are subject to the same destructive effects of untoward life events as their clients,…

Explores legal requirements, ethical tenets, documentation standards and skills involved, and clinical implications of peer review by clinical social workers. Emphasizes provider participation in the review process to facilitate a positive review outcome. (Author/ABL)

To consolidate the diversity of opinion about the definition of competency, an operational definition and skills classification matrix is presented. Although most people agree that competency tests should measure student ability to transfer academic training to life situations, the fact that life skills and school skills represent different…

Discusses counselor skills that promote effective consultation. Reviews research on effective school consultation and presents a five-stage model which involves phasing in, problem identification, implementation, evaluation, and termination. Provides recommendations for the process and products of consultation. (JAC)

This paper describes the current debate over developmentally appropriate teaching practice. The paper presents the perspective of multicultural educators, who argue that developmentally appropriate practice is biased toward white, middle-class values, and the perspective of special educators, who argue that modification of developmentally…

A prototype is a theoretical standard against which real people can be evaluated. To derive a prototype of a lonely person, 40 students were asked to describe a lonely person whom they knew. All descriptions were studied by judges who formed a final listing and frequency of all identified features. The 18 features which formed the prototype fell…

Presents examples that recognize young children's technological prowess and support the case for including two significant curriculum perspectives: an intellectual-processes perspective and a social-expression perspective. Contains 34 references. (Author/PVD)

Describes new secondary geography curriculum of the USSR. Curriculum is structured to provide four separate courses spanning 357 class periods over a number of school years. The translated documents include course descriptions along with teaching suggestions and evaluation procedures. (JDH)