Designed to assist practitioners with the actual conduct of career education program evaluations in teacher education, this handbook has four sections which parrallel the evaluation process. The first section describes the evaluation process and the need to assess the audience to be in a better position to decide on the procedures to use and the…

This four-week unit on the American economic system for secondary students is intended to be a basic literacy unit in economics and to serve as a "sampler kit" demonstrating how economics can be taught interestingly, imaginatively, and with intellectual honesty to the subject matter. The unit's goals for students include ability to list the major…

Larger high schools were surveyed about curricular changes planned or made in response to the Competency Testing and Back to Basics movements. Questions concerned changes in basic skills emphasis, graduation requirements, and competency test usage in mathematics, reading, and writing. Results are given for each questionnaire item. (SJL)

Reported is a survey designed to assess the relationship between essential competencies as perceived by faculty, and job needs as perceived by graduates of the agronomy department at Pennyslvania State University. Results indicated that while various competencies were valued differently, raters did not disagree on what were important competencies.…

A controversial Arkansas law requires that all currently employed certified teachers pass a specially developed literacy test. This article describes the rational for teacher testing in terms of professional, ethical, and political issues. Testing is necessary for public support for reforms that improve the professional status and salaries of…

Describes a study which measures the threshold of second language reading competence and explains its nature. Results indicate that the threshold is reflected in a 65-70% score on the reading section of the First Certificate of English exam and that the most important element for text interpretation is vocabulary. (SED)

This study compares the expectations of educators, parents, and business leaders regarding computer uses in education with their conceptions of what is actually being done. Respondents saw microcomputer use for recordkeeping, determining instructional needs, and instruction as important potential uses but felt that more should be done. (MBR)

This review of recent research on minimum competency testing requirements focuses on the impact of such requirements on school curricula and on the processes of selecting which competencies are to be tested, determining cutoff scores, and ensuring test validity and reliability. (JBM)

In 1978, Florida was sued by 11 Black students on the grounds that its functional literacy requirement violated due process. This article summarizes the arguments in the case. The initial decision to retain the test after a four-year delay was appealed, but was subsequently upheld by the State's Appeals Court. (CJM)

Reviews the results of minimum competency testing (MCT) programs in states using diploma denials as a sanction against MCT failure. Finds substantial discrepancies between the test performances of Black and White classmates. Proposes that competency testing emphasize the remedial rather than the punitive function of these programs. (KH)

Oregon's Education Act for the 21st century sets academic and performance standards for all students statewide. The implementation of statewide standards entails a major change from a time-based to a standards-based educational system, and will require that all students achieve the performance standards for each curricular area. This report to the…

This report describes assessment and outcomes at Isothermal Community College (ICC) (North Carolina), focusing on four areas: institutional assessment, program assessment, classroom (course) assessment, and individual student assessment. Competencies and their criteria are outlined and include: (1) communications--upon completion of an associate's…

Collection development as it is practiced now, and as it will continue to be practiced, is presented in its varying aspects. This book is a collection of 15 papers related to recruiting, educating, and training librarians for collection development as well as implications for the future. The titles include: "Book Selection and Collection…

This paper provides a framework for use by education agencies in developing rules and guidelines for use of paraprofessionals within programs serving individuals with learning disabilities, by postsecondary institutions and related agencies in developing education and professional development programs, and by administrators and teachers/service…

South Carolina's Educator Improvement Act, a recently enacted teacher minimum competency testing measure, is described. The act mandates testing of basic skills and subject matter knowledge of college students planning to teach, and observational assessment of the performance of teachers and student teachers. Testing provisions are discussed. (PP)