Competency-based education involves the specification of instructional objectives such that the time spent by each student may vary, but achievement levels are held constant: it is the competency attained which is important. The 19 chapters in this volume present the experiences, views, and predictions of different educators with competency-based…

This paper is concerned with individualizing instruction for advanced students in secondary school language programs. Learning Activity Packets are prescribed as the ideal means of individualizing instruction in such programs. Five aspects of this method of instruction are examined: (1) the nature of individualized instruction, (2) the value of…

A learning contract is a document, drawn up by a student and his instructor or advisor that specifies what the student will learn, how this will be accomplished, within what period of time, and what the criteria of evaluation will be. The student and instructor agree upon specific objectives, resources to be used, and feedback sessions.…

Discussion of the nature of student-teacher contracts pertaining to academic work to be performed by the student and evaluated by the teacher covers a wide range of related issues in this article. The nature of contracts, evaluation procedures, instructional materials, community attitudes, and the individualization of instruction are commented on…