Several aspects of national competency tests are discussed: two conceptualizations; arguments pro and con; the federal perspective; a distillation of support and opposition to arguments judged unique to national competency tests; and a hypothetical procedure for implementation. (MH)

When a variety of groups became concerned with a perceived deficiency in public education in the 1970's, critical attention was successively focused on student accountability, the school curriculum, and teachers. This digest briefly reports on teacher competency testing. The 1980 Gallup Poll showed that 85% of citizens polled said teachers should…

In certain skills and attitudes, expected competencies of new teachers may be unreasonable in relation to both their college preparation and in terms of what they confront in their first classrooms as professionals. This study was undertaken, in part, to assess how first-year teachers may fare in relation to proposed competency testing models.…

Discussed are the procedures implemented in the Orleans Parish Schools in response to the Louisiana state-mandated promotional testing program (Act 750, 1979), and concerns regarding its value. Recent findings raise fundamental questions about whether an exclusively skills-focused curriculum in the early years provides the needed grounding in…

Holds that current competency tests for teachers do not predict actual ability to teach and cause educational, social and cultural problems by exacerbating teacher shortages and reducing the number of minority teachers. Calls for development of valid measures of teacher competencies and training and support of minority teachers. (GC)

Testing of teacher competence is traced from colonial times to the present. Various forms of teacher testing were commonplace up through the nineteenth century. A major educational reform movement in the early twentieth century succeeded in eliminating teacher tests in favor of proper and uniform preparation through teacher education. (BS)

A methodology for investigating the influence of correction-for-guessing directions and formula scoring on test performance was studied. Experts in the test content field used a judgmental item appraisal system to estimate the knowledge of the minimally competent candidate (MCC) and to predict those items that the MCC would omit on the test under…

Teacher testing began in Arkansas when the governor threatened to veto a 1% sales tax if a teacher testing bill were not passed. With enactment of Act 76 in 1983, an instrument was developed for field testing in 1984 over objections of the Arkansas Education Association. The test, the Arkansas Educational Skills Assessment, is comprised of 50…

This study examined the curricular validity of the New Jersey Basic Skills test, a minimum competency test administered to all public school students in grades 3, 6, 9, and 11 to measure basic skills in reading and mathematics. Based on examinations of a Modified Caution Index, there were differences in the usual response patterns for both reading…

An historical sketch of minimum competency testing programs and issues is presented. Among the state and local programs briefly described are: 1960, Denver Public Schools, CO; 1976, Richmond Public Schools, VA; 1977, Kern Union High School, CA; 1977, Berea High School, OH; 1977, Westside High School, NE; 1973, Oregon; 1975, California (High School…

The psychological effects of success and failure on the North Carolina Minimum Competency Test (MCT) were examined. Subjects were high school students, who were pre- and post-tested using the Rosenberg Self Esteem Scale and the High School Personality Questionnaire. Self-esteem decreased following knowledge of MCT failure. (LMO)

The National Education Association questions the effectiveness and presents the negative aspects of state programs to test the minimum competency of practicing teachers. Teacher competency should be ensured through high standards for entering teachers and annual evaluation and professional development opportunities at the district level for…

This synopsis of the Committee on Ability Testing report (see ED 213 770 and ED 213 771) discusses recent controversy over testing limitations, test fairness, admissions testing, test disclosure, and test use in public schools to improve substandard performance. (CM)

Educational researchers must rely on their informed judgments and assume responsibility in setting minimum competency standards to meet the public demand for quality education. There are both advantages and disadvantages of implementing, as well as not implementing, a minimum competency program. (MH)

Standard-setting practices in states using the National Teachers Examination (NTE) were examined. Passing score-setting procedures, recommended study scores, passing scores established by the states, and the implications of the passing scores were studied. States have typically adopted standards lower than cut scores recommended by advisory…