Research was conducted to assess the level of mastery of Florida students enrolled in the Applied Principles program. Results are reported in the following categories: student achievement, current grade in school, previous enrollment in agriculture, membership in Future Farmers of America, SOEP (Supervised Occupational Experience Programs)…

Vocational education teachers' stages of concern over the implementation of competency-based instruction were analyzed in this study. A seven-stage model was used to assess changes in teachers' concerns over time and after instruction about the innovation. Results and recommendations are discussed with implications for educational change agents.…

On the occasion of the 20th anniversary of the National Center for Research in Vocational Education, the author provides an overview of center activities, including contributions in the areas of competency-based education, leadership development, equity and access, policy planning and evaluation, developing linkages, and dissemination of…

The research reported here sought to determine the extent to which the official position of the Swedish government is reflected in actual classroom practice. Detailed analysis of classroom interactions, coupled with survey responses from interviews with participants, teachers, and principals, revealed a substantial discrepancy between the…

Introduces and defines strategic planning in organizational training, describes four current schools of curriculum theory--subject-centered, experience-centered, objectives-centered, and opportunity-centered--and illustrates how each theory can be modified to make training anticipate as well as react to organizational needs. (MBR)

This article explains the research phase of the Adult Performance Level (APL) project, providing a brief history of how the APL life coping skills curriculum and Competency-Based High School Diploma Program evolved from the project's research and national survey of adult functional competency. Focuses on APL programs implemented within a…

Describes a comprehensive list of skills, personal qualities, and competencies considered essential for a child-care worker in India. This list was created by interviewing 30 training instructors from 10 agencies. It was found that these skills could be developed in the field worker through field-based, on-the-job training. (Author/CB)

Specific examples of competency-based vocational education programs in the United States demonstrate the advantages of the method in training youth and adults. The British New Training Initiative, Youth Training Scheme, and open tech concept additionally support the effectiveness of competency-based programs and self-paced learning materials. (SK)

Discusses methodological implications of a proficiency orientation focused on speaking, placing proficiency in the context of grammar, communicative competence, and functions/notions. Discusses repercussions in foreign language teaching of the varying emphases on these contexts. Asserts that a proficiency orientation allows tailoring of teaching…

Evaluated the effectiveness of the MASTERY model in teaching skills to graduate students (N=31) in the administration of the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale-Revised (WAIS-R). Results demonstrated that the MASTERY algorithm can be utilized as an effective means of assessing and training clinicians to pre-established competency standards of WAIS-R…

Discusses the advantages of individualized instruction and ten requirements for the implementation of a successful individualized program. (DC)

Defines oral communication competency and reports a project designed to measure "minimal competency" in cognitive and behavioral/performance dimensions of oral communication. Includes a taxonomy of sample competencies for the basic course and an approach to criterion-referenced measurement. (MH)

This document includes a 3-page brochure describing the main report and the main report. The report explores competency-based models in postsecondary institutions and other learning environments. It is intended primarily as a guide for postsecondary educators who are interested in establishing such efforts at their institutions. The following…

This book discusses questions regarding mathematics education in U.S. schools and presents individual reviews on the concerns about student competency and academic achievement in mathematics. The reviews focus on school mathematics programs in pre-kindergarten through eighth grades. Contents include: (1) "Looking at Mathematics and…

The development of curriculum and instructional materials for competency-based education (CBE) is a costly and complex process involving many critical tasks. Failure to carry out any of these tasks can jeopardize the entire instructional development effort. The importance of the process demands that appropriate and effective procedures be used so…