Georgia's competency testing program has gained national recognition and has served as a model for other states planning such programs. The focus of this paper is on the Teacher Certification Test (TCT) in Administration and Supervision developed to conform to stringent legal and job-relatedness requirements. The test is required of educators…

This study used a five-step procedure to establish and validate the essential competencies in computer literacy for elementary and secondary school (grades K-12) science teachers. This procedure produced a concise list of 24 competencies that are not only representative of the broad field of computer literacy skills, but also are considered to be…

Several of the major considerations involved in implementing a statewide testing program are discussed. The test results provide information which influences the educational enterprise in matters of curriculum, instruction, guidance, and accountability. Tests to be used in an assessment program must be developed by the administering agency when…

Addressing the wave of public criticism of the English curriculum, the six articles in this book cite "basics" that are far different from those of the current "back to basics" movement. The first article surveys the nature of the curriculum attacks and suggests why English teachers may be more vulnerable to public criticism…

Three questions were addressed by this study: (1) Do the Ebel, Nedelsky, and Angoff methods of setting minimum competency standards produce different cutting scores for the same test? (2) When utilized by raters of different competencies, do these methods result in different Standards? and (3) Are the standards set by the different methods the…

This monograph was developed to assist teachers in identifying more precise ways to select materials to use in promoting basic skills development. It is meant to be used primarily by teachers of third and fifth grade pupils who must achieve the skills measured in the State Assessment Test required by Florida. Examples are provided of test…

This course syllabus is one of over 80 developed and written by the Henry County School System (Tennessee) as part of a Teacher Corps demonstration project. These syllabi provide specific descriptions of what is to be learned and at what level the student is expected to perform. The art course described here is available for students who have…

A combined lecture-problem workbook course in math and graphics for students entering the engineering program at Triton Community College was designed to allow them to progress at their own rate without a need for faculty lecture. The workbook places equal emphasis on descriptive geometry and graphics with the major areas covered broken into…

Six measurement-related problems which face educators attempting to implement minimum competency-oriented instruction (MC-OI) are isolated. They are: (1) choosing appropriate competencies to measure; (2) acquiring appropriate tests; (3) setting standards for MC-OI; (4) selecting suitable sanctions; (5) providing equidifficult examination…

During the spring of 1980, Texas tested all of its ninth graders for the first time as part of a legislatively-mandated competency program. This forced all Texas districts which already had established programs to decide whether to drop, modify, or retain them. The political, economic, and practical information which was important within the…

By 1985, nearly half of the nation's public school students will be required to pass a minimum competency test (MCT) for high school graduation. Supporters of objectives underlying the MCTs suggest that the tests will force school systems to take their responsibilities to all children more seriously. Critics argue that students who fail will…

This kit has been designed by teachers at the Atlanta Area Center for Teachers (Georgia) to offer beginning teachers support and suggestions as they begin the challenge of their first year of teaching. Because most new teachers in Georgia must participate in Competency Based Teacher Performance Certification, this package has been sequenced…

Truth in testing, competency testing, and intelligence tests constitute the central topics of this newsletter. The authors review a report prepared by the Education Commission of the States on truth-in-testing legislation and litigation, covering recent efforts at the state and federal levels to open the testing process to public scrutiny. They…

A review of state laws governing certification of professional educators reveals both wide agreement on many certification issues and a shift toward making requirements more stringent. Teacher certification has long been accepted as a means of ensuring minimum competency. Many of the issues surrounding certification have been settled, including…

This monograph briefly describes state legislation and administrative rules concerning competency-based education. Defeated legislation is also included. In 1978-79 California, Nevada, and New York are requiring graduating seniors to pass a proficiency exam before receiving a diploma. In Nevada and New York similar exams are administered to…