Describes the tenets of the back to basics movement, especially as it applies to minimum competency testing, and points out that it creates an environment which impedes consequential learning. (DD)

The curriculum and evaluation procedure for the new School of Medicine of the Ben Gurion University of the Negev in Beersheva, Israel, is described. This primary care, public health oriented curriculum, which has been developed according to competency based methods, is based on an analysis of physician performance. (Author/JEG)

By developing, validating, and using a formula for predicting students' time commitment to their studies, those responsible for developing curricula can make their planning more precise. The Estimated Module Work-Study Time formula developed at Southern Illinois University School of Medicine is described. (Author/LBH)

An education reporter who took a leave of absence to observe competency-based education writes about his findings, which include both support and criticism of competency-based programs. (MF)

Competency statements were developed by Medical College of Virginia/Virginia Commonwealth University faculty who had course responsibility in the school of Pharmacy. Specific statements regarding "must have" and "should have" competencies are presented in this article. (LBH)

Outlines the major problems associated with the type of assessments envisioned by advocates of competency-based education, discusses attempts to solve these problems at the postsecondary level through development of the College Outcome Measures Project, and examines the general knowledge and skill domains upon which the project is based.…

Reported are methods employed for measuring consistency in teacher assessment of practical notebooks in A-level biology. Use of criterion referenced scales is discussed. (CS)

Describes a family day care training program that offers workshops leading to college credit for providers. (MS)

Describes an outcomes-based supervisory program that can positively affect the rate of program completion and pupil achievement. The system allows supervisors and teachers to identify and correct performance deficiencies and instructional problems as they occur. (Author/IRT)

Favorable results from a competency-based freshman writing course. (AA)

Describes the role and responsibilities of a high school principal in an outcome-based school, drawing from research on the role perceptions of the principalship. Concludes that an outcome-based school environment promotes student achievement and learning, and reduces stress and frustration for the principal. (DMM)

The Minimum Requirement Program (MRP) was introduced in Israel in the 1960s but was discontinued. The Parenthesis Program, a 1962 revision of the original program, restricted objectives in the syllabus which were deemed too difficult. Achievement gaps between population subgroups existed in the 1980s when a new MRP was developed. (GDC)

Describes a program designed to develop interactive, language-experience-based software to promote functional literacy among illiterate adults. The project uses the microcomputer with language-experience-based software to aid the teacher in providing highly individualized instruction to illiterate learners. (CT)

Three different competency-based vocational programs were analyzed to investigate how competencies are determined, how the programs are organized, and how students are evaluated. Results show that there is no set method for producing a high quality competency-based program. (CH)