The document provides information related to statewide testing of exceptional students for the North Carolina Annual, Minimum Skills Diagnostic, End-of-Course, and Competency Testing programs. Guidelines for the appropriate use of alternative test formats, aids, or a different test environment with disabled students are given. Included are rules…

This report describes the status of competency testing in vocational and technical education in the United States in 1988-89. Data were derived from a mailed questionnaire sent to State Liaison Representatives of the National Network for Curriculum Coordination in Vocational-Technical Education. Of a total of 69 surveys, 39 responses were returned…

This report is part of an overall regional needs assessment effort undertaken by Research by Better schools and it summarizes test results from state education agencies in the District of Columbia, Delaware, Maryland, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania. Performance trends over the past several years were analyzed. Major findings indicate that: (1)…

This report on competency testing utilizes a literature review, examines the state of the art to define competencies, and presents information from the field to delineate programmatic and administrative questions and their implications. Information was collected from school districts implementing minimum competency testing (MCT) programs through…

The minimal writing skills proficiency program in the Phoenix Union High School District was initiated as a result of basic competency legislation passed in 1972; in 1976, writing was added to the basic skills requirements for graduation. Writing proficiency is determined by teacher evaluation of pieces of writing using the criteria established…

The state of the art in college-level competency testing is described, as is the development of a communication test for the University of Wisconsin-Parkside program. The research described herein exposes the fact that some students have communication problems which could inhibit their learning abilities. Valid and reliable procedures are needed…

Intended for use by school administrators, guidance counselors, teachers, and proctors, this manual contains general information on Regents examinations and competency tests. Specifically, the regulations and procedures for ordering, administering, and rating these examinations are described. Information is also included about the competency…

The issues surrounding minimum competency testing (MCT) and the handicapped are analyzed in light of federal mandates in P.L. 94-142, the Education for All Handicapped Children Act, for a free appropriate public education. Five policy approaches regarding graduation requirements are considered for positive and negative implications: the pass/fail…

This guide outlines the minimum standards for entrance into the fire prevention career field in California. It contains descriptions of 50 tasks. Each task description consists of nine subsections. The task title briefly identifies the content of the task. The occupational analysis subsection identifies the block, unit, and task within the…

Recommendations are made by the Illinois Council for Exceptional Children regarding minimal competency testing (MCT) for handicapped children. The position endorses the use of the individualized education program (IEP) as the most appropriate device to insure an appropriate education for handicapped children. Legal issues involving discrimination…

This document provides a checklist of competencies and skills for associate degree nursing programs in Arizona. The competencies and skills are presented within five interrelated roles. These roles are provider of care, client teacher, communicator, manager of client care, and member within the profession of nursing. In addition to listing…

Statewide information about the performance of Massachusetts' grade 12 students in listening and speaking is presented for the 1979-80 school year. A total of 2,207 students were tested by listening to material on a tape recording and then answering multiple-choice questions about what they heard. The performance of students in listening is…

Minimum competencies are set forth for senior high school foreign language students in Philadelphia. For modern languages, at each of three levels, criteria are set forth for determining whether students can: (1) adequately associate meaning with sound; (2) use words, phrases, and sentences that evidence meaningful communication; (3) associate…

The Texas Assessment of Basic Skills (TABS) is described. Specifications are listed for TABS objectives in mathematics reading, and writing for grades 3, 5 and exit level (grades 6-12). It is intended that sections of the publication will be distributed to curriculum planners and appropriate teachers to assist in their determination of whether…

A faculty member in a predominately black institution in the University System of Georgia critiqued the basic skills examination used as a placement and exit examination for the remedial program. He found that the local committee that developed the test had not defined what "basic skills" are, set priorities, nor specified degrees of…