More than half of the colleges and universities in the U.S. require entering freshmen to present scores on the American College Test (ACT) as a condition of admission. Within recent years, colleges and universities have been asked to determine procedures whereby prior educational achievement and life experiences could be evaluated and college…

The Berry Informational Technology (B.I.T.S.) program at Berry College (Georgia) is an apprenticeship opportunity associated with student work. The program gives students the opportunity to seek technological training in areas, such as building computer systems, trouble-shooting, networking, Web development, and user and technical support. In…

Reports on Matthew Arnold's attack on nineteenth century England's proposed proficiency testing program. Discusses the lessons to be learned today from Arnold's objections to proficiency testing. (RL)

Discusses the need for national skill standards and the problems associated with establishing them. Suggests tasks that must be completed: (1) reaching consensus on what constitutes an industry; (2) settling how specific the lists will be; (3) determining how to set standards; and (4) figuring out how to assess students and what certification…

This paper focuses on the development and maintenance of the national qualification structure for secondary vocational education and training in the Netherlands. The qualification structure was introduced in 1997 as part of new legislation for vocational and adult education. The core questions to be answered concern the extent to which the policy…

This publication is a history of the College of Higher Vocational Studies (CHVS) since it was established in 1991 and provides commentary on developments in higher vocational education in Hong Kong during a period of unprecedented change and development in the provision of the Higher Diploma. "Principal's Diary" (Bradford Imrie)…

This document examines strategies and procedures that British further education (FE) colleges can use to develop and enhance systems and structures for guiding and supporting learners and learning. It is based on the findings of a field test of the Managing Learning model for planning and recording the process of FE students. First, the importance…

If colleges and universities were to step away from their traditional certification and credentializing activities, employers might develop alternative, and likely better, measures by which to evaluate candidates. (Author/PG)

Explores materials in the ERIC system that discuss all sides of the minimum competency issue. (RL)

Briefly notes the June 1979 conference in Memphis, Tennessee, of the Council on the Continuing Education Unit (CEU) and reports an interview with Paul J. Grogan, who was primarily responsible for developing the CEU concept. Dr. Grogan explains the purpose of CEU and its value for the training director. (MF)

Considers the role of learning accreditation in relation to demand for quality assurance in organizational learning. Develops a four-dimensional management perspective that outlines four pathways of learning: learning needs in relation to aspirations, academic learning, learning to qualify for professional practice, and learning to sustain career…

Issues faced by mature black women returning to education include past negative experiences of schooling, threats to their personal relationships and other social pressures, psychological barriers, and balancing educational costs with their basic needs. (SK)

Accreditation of adult learning raises two issues: (1) whether accrediting processes are the right ones and (2) which educational values and principles underlie them. Accreditation based on flexible accumulation and transfer of achievements is needed to document the vital learning outcomes of adult education. (SK)