Examines some disturbing tendencies in curriculum content and descion-making. Argues that a rigorous, neoconservative back-to-basics program, coupled with use of corporate school management models, is not the answer. Excessive standardization could increase the dropout rate and cause the deskilling of teachers. Societal influences need to be…

Argues that writing apprehension can be dispositional, but that it can also arise in response to elements in the writing situation. Discusses the elements in timed writing competence tests that can trigger writing apprehension and hinder effective writing. (JK)

Surveys of Texas classroom teachers' attitudes were made in 1984, 1985, and 1986. Teachers' perceptions of competency testing, career ladders, teacher morale, teacher persistence, public support, and student achievement were requested. Results are presented. (MT)

Everything that educators have learned aabout individual differences and learning styles as they relate to pacing is negated by tests that disregard such evidence. Unless they are improved, competency tests are likely to seriously damage the educational process. (CJH)

A survey of state directors of teacher certification was conducted in 1986 to obtain opinions on national standards for teacher certification, teacher testing, teacher career ladders, and other current issues. Findings are summarized. (MT)

The legal issue of teacher competency testing is not the testing itself, but the type, manner, application, and purpose of the testing. Legal concepts pertinent to the issue of competency testing are explored. (MT)

Explores the role that teacher competency testing has had in reducing the number of Black and Hispanic teachers, discusses related problems facing teacher training institutions and programs, and reviews proposed strategies for enabling historically Black institutions and others to better attract and prepare minorities for the teaching profession.…

Reviews the Test of Practical Knowledge, a multiple choice test of "functional competency," noting that the test's task requirements are confounded by such factors as intelligence, achievement, social knowledge, and reading ability. (HOD)

Presents an economic model of the relationship among educational effort, ability, employment qualifications, and productivity. Suggests that occupational competency requirements may encourage applicants to restrict their investments in education to the minimum necessary to obtain certification, rather than striving for competency levels that would…

Discusses the minimum competency model of staff qualifications. Classifies the ideal characteristics and qualifications for experiential leaders. Discusses interconnection of hiring, training, and supervision of experiential education staff and the relationship of these activities to program quality. Presents an integrated staff development model…

The impact of "exit-gate" and the new "entrance-gate" tests on Black prospective teachers and historically Black colleges is described. Three strategies for dealing with teacher testing without compromising teacher competency are outlined. A broader vision of competence is needed to counterbalance the narrow view provided by…

The author states that throughout the past century or more, especially during the twentieth century, the continuing conflict between proponents of the minimum essentials approach to curriculum excellence and those of the individual development approach has been an obstacle to the achievement of excellence. (CT)

This joint research and development project of two state departments of education used the DACUM (Developing a Curriculum) process to identify microcomputer competencies for vocational instructors. Brainstorming techniques were used to identify five categories of microcomputer applications and to determine which competencies belonged in each…

An outcome of the excellence movement has been an increase in state control of education, especially through state-mandated testing, as testing has become the preferred means of trying to effect change in education following the popularity of accountability and minimum competency testing. Suggestions for using tests prudently are listed. (DCS)

The crisis in American education as revealed in the decay in the college course of study and in the role of college faculties in creating and nurturing that decay is discussed. The text of the report of the AAC Project on Redefining the Meaning and Purpose of Baccalaureate Degrees is presented. (MLW)