The paper reviews the disadvantages, as well as the advantages, of minimum competency testing (MCT) with mentally retarded high school students. Among disadvantages pointed out are the discrepancy between teaching methods as testing methods and the unproven relevance of MCT for adult success. (SB)

Implications of the basics movement for the mentally retarded student are discussed. Among elements of the basics movement are methodology centered on drill, recitation, daily homework and frequent tests, and a ban on innovation. (PHR)

Preservice and inservice teacher education programs should incorporate the teaching of test wiseness in their curricula. (CMJ)

Indicates that the movement toward minimal competency testing is widespread and growing but that its educational and social implications have yet to be evaluated. (TJ)

Describes major methods available for determination of cut scores or minimum competencies (the Nedeslsky and Angoff methods) and their application to annual assessments at Texas Tech School of Pharmacy. (EV)

Describes the experiences of the committee writing library media competencies for grades 1 through 12 in New Mexico schools. A chart showing two sample instructional strands (organization of resources and reader guidance) is presented. (MES)

Clarifies the purpose of developing lists of competencies for each job in an organization and looks at how competencies can be used productively for employee development. Describes a process for identifying competencies that, if acquired, will help overcome known barriers to successful performance. (JOW)

Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 has become an increasingly important mechanism in providing services to students with disabilities in public schools. Because Section 504 is a civil rights law, responsibility for its implementation involves a range of school-based professionals, including administrators, general education teachers,…

This article discusses professionalism in early childhood education through the analytical tool of a research-based multi-level perspective that sees this as a cultural, communal, organisational, and individual phenomenon. Starting from an understanding of professionalism derived from a model of professional expertise, the article discusses the…

In this article, the data from a sociological survey serve as the basis for an analysis of the levels of professional training of the graduates of higher educational institutions in the Kuzbass region. The object of this survey consisted of upper-division students in daytime enrollment of colleges and universities in Novokuznetsk, which is not…

As the world economy continues to evolve, businesses and industries must adopt new practices and processes in order to survive. Quality and cost control, work teams and participatory management, and an infusion of technology are transforming the way people work and do business. Employees are now expected to read, write, and communicate…

Developed as part of the Minimum Performance Testing Program (MPT), these item specifications for sixth grade reading were designed to provide an overview of the general content and format of test items used to measure instructional objectives. Each item specification contains the following information: objective identification number; grade…

A project was conducted to determine formal and informal competencies based on an expanded definition of workplace environmental literacy. A secondary goal was to develop a compact between employers and training program graduates whereby graduates would have preferential access to employment opportunities. Issues that arose during the…

The result of a two-year effort by more than 150 community college faculty and staff members in Hawaii, this report presents task force recommendations for improving programs leading to the associate degree. The recommendations concern: (1) the maintenance of two associate degrees, an associate in arts and an associate in science; (2) the…

A review of functional literacy testing in the United States from 1955-82 is provided by summarizing the results of literacy assessment studies and synthesizing the major issues which they have engendered. These reviews are grouped with respect to content, criterion-related, and construct validity. The paper concludes by (1) summarizing some of…