This document presents information from and about two 1999 surveys conducted by the National Center for Education Statistics: "Vocational Programs in Secondary Schools" and "Occupational Programs in Postsecondary Education Institutions." The first 25% of the document consists of an introduction and selected findings. The introduction provides…

This final report describes activities and accomplishments of the Through Shared Windows (TSW) Outreach Project, a 4-year project at the University of New Mexico designed to improve services to young children with disabilities and their families. Three major outcomes were accomplished. First, a Web site was developed that focuses on observational…

Perhaps more than most academic issues, remedial education evokes fervent emotions and unyielding opinions. Consensus is hard to reach even about the nomenclature, with remedial conveying a sense of deficiency in need of correction pitted against the developmental approach that focuses on change and growth. On campus, the many aspects of the…

Outcome-based educational philosophical principles and program characteristics are described, with a focus on changes in the management of time, students, instructional resources, and testing required of both teachers and administrators by such programs. Outcome-based approaches require an instructional management system that is assessment-driven…

The validity of using proficiency test scores to make specific educational decisions is addressed. Ninth grade mathematics proficiency test scores were analyzed in both continuous and categorized form. The nature of the decisions to be made was examined as a factor in determining the categorization technique. (Author/PN)

Discusses the professional preparation of school library media specialists at Syracuse University using a competency-based approach, highlighting background of competency-based education, development of competency statements and curriculum, and assessment of competencies. Integration of joint competency-based program into two schools and with a…

Curriculum developers assume that tasks to be learned are basically procedural and can be broken down into component elements. This approach may be useful for managing instruction, but it can interfere with the quality of education. True proficiency does not depend on following rules and procedures. (PP)

Five legal principles (and cases establishing them) on the use of competency testing in student placement or for graduation are discussed. The principles address the constitutionality of appropriate use, adequate notice to students, prohibition of effects of past racial discrimination, graduation test validity, and requirements for handicapped…

Describes the development of Park College's writing workshop approach to remediating students' writing skills deficiencies, focusing on: the large number of underprepared students at Park, the various approaches which had been utilized unsuccessfully, and the benefits of the six-hour per week workshop with regard to students' reactions and…

Identifies the academic competencies and skills required for college success, as prepared by the College Board during phase one of Project EQuality. Lists competencies for reading, writing, speaking and listening, mathematics, reasoning, and studying. Considers successful study skills essential in acquiring all other competencies. (DMM)

Reviews seven factors that will bring about change in the 1980s that will affect the agricultural education profession: (1) changes in the ages of groups with whom vocational agriculture will work, (2) more working women, (3) pressures for accountability, (4) changing teacher attitudes, (5) competency-based education, (6) changing technology, and…

A variety of educational and economic changes can be seen as part of a tendency toward deschooling or modification of the curriculum. One ironic factor is that the skills needed to maintain capitalism have so changed, that in producing them the capacity to critically evaluate its merits is created. (JN)

Effective assessment is crucial to outcome-based learning programs. One choice to be made in such programs is whether assessment of student learning should be carried out within course structures or external to them. Advantages to each approach are suggested. The overall recommendation is for external assessment. (Author/MLW)

Evaluated an intervention program for child abusers using multiple outcome criteria and extended follow-up. Findings indicated that training abusive parents in child-management and self-control techniques resulted in improvements in parenting skills. A one-year follow-up found no incidences of child abuse among treatment families reported to or…

Peoria's efforts with the development and implications of a Minimum Competency Testing (MCT) program are described, including the program model used, numbers of high school seniors and seventh graders who passed the pilot test sequence, and views on the advantages, disadvantages, and effectiveness of the MCT program. (Editor/SJL)