The President of Miami University of Ohio explains why he has proposed a test of basic reading and writing skills as a graduation requirement at his institution. (SJL)

Reviewing the current justifications for minimum competency testing (MCT) programs, the author finds them inadequate. He asks whether reading, writing, and computation skills can be proven necessary for a successful life and whether MCT programs can be demonstrated to be the best means of promoting students' living skills. (SJL)

Examines the purposes of student evaluation and how they influence the daily life of the classroom. Discusses feedback to students and parents, minimum competencies, classroom observations, formal tests, and self-evaluation. (SS)

The author examines concerns about whether or not, and by what criteria, handicapped students should be included in or excluded from comprehensive competency testing programs, as well as the implications of minimum competency testing for the handicapped. Pertinent legislation from several states is discussed. (Author/SJL)

The process of setting performance standards must be examined within the particular context in which specific approaches have been used to construct or select the criterion performance measures being utilized. (Author/RLV)

Defends the master's degree in library science from a program accredited by the American Library Association as a valid minimum educational requirement for library practice at the professional level. Issues that undermine this requirement are discussed and actions that the profession can take to strengthen this position are identified. (nine…

A test that for a decade has been required of Florida college students before they can become juniors will, in 1996, become only one of four ways for students to demonstrate academic readiness. While some expect the change to reduce remedial enrollments, move students through college faster, and improve collaboration between public schools and…

Describes Assessment of Basic Competencies (ABC), a methodology for measuring writing, arithmetic, and selected life skills that is simple, inexpensive, and easy to reproduce. Provides results of a pilot implementation of ABC among 2,100 children in Bangladesh between the ages of 11 and 12. (35 citations) (MAB)

Describes a study of 57 vocational program faculty at Odessa College (Texas) to determine their perceptions of crucial competencies for students to master. Presents a core of 38 mathematical competencies identified as necessary for student success, grouped in the areas of whole numbers, fractions, decimals, mixed operations, and measurement. (26…

Using S. J. Messick's theoretical work concerning construct validity as a guide, underlying hypotheses for investigation when validating placement test decisions are assessed. Guidelines on validating placement decisions are offered, and the hypotheses and guidelines are applied in a validation study of the Written English Expression Placement…

Nationwide, school coaching certification is the exception rather than the rule. Athletic coaches are ill-prepared to meet the needs of young athletes. A 1985 survey of states' preparation requirements discovered very little standardization of athletic coaching competence. A table of survey results from 49 states is included. (SM)

This article addresses the development of an orientation and mobility (O&M) certification examination by Division Nine of the Association for Education and Rehabilitation of the Blind and Visually Impaired. It describes the collection of data that establishes the relative importance of the competencies necessary for O&M. (Contains eight…

Examines whether teaching candidates who passed a basic competency screening test also possessed a level of general academic aptitude significantly higher than those who did not pass. Findings from 293 teachers who took the California Basic Educational Skills Test and had Scholastic Aptitude Test scores available show that requiring minimum…

The influence of judges' knowledge on standard setting for competency tests was studied with 17 judges who took an economics teacher certification test while setting competency standards using the Angoff procedure. Judges tended to set higher standards for items they answered correctly and lower standards for items they answered incorrectly. (SLD)