A number of significant policy issues related to the use of competency tests in basic skills as a requirement for high school graduation are discussed. Issues contributing to the interest in this practice include test score decline, the widespread offering of electives in high school, the complaints of employers about the skill level of high…

A Study-Service Trimester program combining study with field service and integrated into a normal term of four-year liberal arts education is described. The program is intended to offer students an opportunity to examine and experience the culture of another country and the chance to serve in a practical way, e.g. as teaching assistants, health…

This chart summarizes the following categories of information about various states' minimum competency testing activities: (1) name of state; (2) legislation or ruling which requires testing; (3) name of organization which sets standards; (4) grade levels assessed; (5) skill areas assessed; (6) use of standards and of test results; and (7) other…

The demand for competency based education reflects a desire for more public, consistent, and objective standards of student assessment. This demand implies a change in the definition and interrelations among four operational functions of the school: instruction, acculturation, supervision, and certification. The institution of externally…

Focusing on state-mandated minimum competency testing programs, this annotated bibliography cites 200 items selected from more than 700. The Resource Catalog is intended for state education policy makers and therefore includes resource and study guides; legislative and board action; conference speeches, reports and proceedings; curriculum guides,…

Implementation of the Proficiency Testing Program, adopted by the Idaho State Board of Education, is explained in the districts coordinator's manual. The tests are described as administered on a district optional basis to ninth grade students in the basic skills areas of reading, writing, spelling, and mathematics. Criterion referenced tests are…

Something is wrong with the twelfth grade. Many principals, teachers, and students argue that the twelfth grade is unchallenging, irrelevant, and perhaps useless. Recent widespread unrest among students suggests the need to thoroughly re-evaluate the twelfth grade program in order to investigate the causes for the unrest and to suggest workable…

In fall 1970, the liberal arts curriculum at Bronx Community College (New York) was revised to provide more flexibility for student program structuring. Analyses of cumulative student progress data for pre- and post-revision students indicate that the revision was successful in increasing persistence and graduation rates; it also seems to have led…

Considering curriculum to be at the heart of American education, an effort to determine the trends in and nature of English instruction in higher education is based on a nationwide survey of graduation requirements of 254 colleges and universities for: (1) the Bachelor of Arts (B.A.), (2) the Bachelor of Science (B.S.), and (3) the Bachelor of…

This study seeks to determine how commonly-quoted values of foreign language study are actually perceived by students and professors who have taken undergraduate foreign language courses and to determine the implications this information might have for college curriculum planners. Some 177 students and professors participated in the study by…

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)

The National Governors' Association Task Force on Readiness presented policy recommendations to help at-risk children prepare for school and meet new educational standards. Suggested state initiatives include various outreach and preschool programs for low-income families, assistance with basic skills and teacher training, and incentives and…

A survey exploring important aspects of language learning as perceived by university students (N=1,135) enrolled in required foreign language courses revealed that, while students most highly valued oral proficiency, teachers appeared to value testing and evaluation practices most highly. (CB)

The author discusses the following issues: What does computer literacy mean? What is required for certification of teachers and for graduation from high school? What are the ethical, social, and economic issues relating to computer use? (CT)

A private college's computer-managed preregistration system considers the degree of student interest in or need for enrollment in a specific course and helps provide optimal course schedules and course access. The rates of improvement in course registration for students at all levels are noted. (MSE) (>