This paper reports changes in the professional knowledge, general knowledge, and communication skills components of the National Teacher Examinations and explains validation procedures. Research efforts to: (1) establish the tests' credibility and usefulness; (2) identify factors the tests measure; and (3) study their relationship to effective…

The Role Delineation Project for Health Education has established minimum competencies for health educators. Responsibilities are in the areas of: (1) communicating health education needs, concerns, and resources; (2) determining, planning, and implementing appropriate foci in health education; (3) evaluating health education; and (4) coordinating…

Learning disabled fifth graders in Florida were given modified versions of the Florida State Student Assessment Test. Modifications such as additional examples, smaller subsections, unjustified formats, and grouping of items in order of difficulty facilitated the students' performance. Use of large-print tests made little difference. (Authors/PP)

Discusses the meaning of intelligence, the social functions that tests serve, the appropriate use of personality tests, controversies regarding IQ measurement, minimum competency testing, test disclosure, test bias, and "truth in testing." Stresses that testing is as much a social and political issue as it is an issue of scientific measurement.…

This study identified the educational and occupational characteristics and professional competencies needed by qualified instructors of agriculture in Iowa postsecondary schools. Highest ranking professional competencies suggested by administrators and teachers included: (1) developing and maintaining rapport with students and (2) working…

Classroom instruction is aligned with grade level basic objectives and a yearly survey of these skills. Methods and resources that elementary school principals and teachers can use to teach essential skills are being developed. (Author/MLF)

When designing competency based education programs to meet state requirements, California educators would do well to select only a small number of highly significant competencies per basic skill area, for which they can devise on-target instruction and valid competency measures. (SJL)

Questions states' powers to legislate nonpublic schools. Advocates: (1) demonstration of self-regulation and accountability; (2) moral and financial support by professional organizations in litigations; (3) task force study of government agency control of private schools. (JD)

The New Jersey Education Association feels that the state proposal to set minimum graduation competencies would reduce the range of high school course offerings, erode local control of schools, and limit student opportunity. A text of the proposed state regulation is included. (SJL)

A policy statement by the New Jersey Education Association on the high school graduation requirements adopted by the New Jersey State Board of Education on March 5, 1980. (SJL)

Argues that the minimal competency movement contains much that is inimical both to the teaching of language arts and to the integrity and individuality of professional educators. Contends that the movement is creating both damage and diversion in the schools. (FL)

Asserts that the dialectic between excellence and equity in art education is generally expressed as an "either/or" situation. Argues that curricula and assessments can be designed to challenge artistically talented students and also serve the needs of all students. Concludes that both universal and relative social contexts are important. (MJP)

Argues that technological advancement has dramatically changed the nature of work and the skills necessary to adapt to the new work place. Reviews required competencies of "techno-professionals," or the new knowledge workers concerned with technological research and application. Highlights the role of two-year colleges in imparting these…

The Connecticut Teacher Assessment Center Project has, since 1986, been developing a semistructured interview in the area of mathematics to evaluate beginning teacher competence. The strategy for validation of the project's performance tests, Connecticut's reform initiatives, and implications of systematic validity for traditional psychometric…

Presents an overview of literacy awareness since the 1985 publication of Jonathan Kozol's "The Illiterate American." The need for a highly technological workforce is explored and suggestions are made for the role of libraries in literacy training. A list of sources for literacy materials is appended. (16 references) (EAM)