This booklet is one of five related publications that delineate the program developed by the District of Columbia Public Schools for fulfilling the district's educational mission. The heart of this effort is the design and implementation of a districtwide competency-based curriculum for the prekindergarten level through grade 12, plus the…

Describes the process of developing a competency-based curriculum (faculty-developed and time-variable) used at the Rockford School of Medicine created by the State Board of Higher Education of the University of Illinois in 1969. Includes an abstracted sample of a curriculum statement and the curriculum validation process used. (JT)

A well-constructed criterion-referenced test has an unambiguous descriptive scheme, an adequate number of items, a sufficiently limited focus, reliability, validity, and comparative data. (Author/MLF)

Reports on the District of Columbia school system's competency-based curriculum plan for education accountability. (BB)

Many national curriculum leaders recognize the potential damage of the bandwagon approach to developing competency based education. Caution is urged in creating a balanced curriculum, one that will consider the necessary skills, capabilities, and knowledge in the areas of urgent global studies, human potential, interdependent competencies, and…

The minimum competency movement is a national response to concern about a supposed decline in standards in the nation's schools. This article addresses some vital questions about the movement that have been left unanswered. (Author/RK)

This article describes the Nursery Operations Curriculum, a competency-based instructional program currently being disseminated throughout Florida. The description covers the curriculum materials, the developmental activities, validation of the curriculum, and plans for implementing the curriculum. (BM)

Information from a limited school survey on local competency-based vocational education (CBVE) programs is presented in three tables for comprehensive CBVE programs, model CBVE examples, and promising CBVE examples. Some program features, addresses, contact persons, and phone numbers are included. (MF)

Describes the competency-based approach to reading programs used in Maryland. (MKM)

Back to basics fundamentalism, the minimal competency movement, and competency testing are simplistic approaches to complex educational problems. (DD)

Describes the tenets of the back to basics movement, especially as it applies to minimum competency testing, and points out that it creates an environment which impedes consequential learning. (DD)

The curriculum and evaluation procedure for the new School of Medicine of the Ben Gurion University of the Negev in Beersheva, Israel, is described. This primary care, public health oriented curriculum, which has been developed according to competency based methods, is based on an analysis of physician performance. (Author/JEG)

By developing, validating, and using a formula for predicting students' time commitment to their studies, those responsible for developing curricula can make their planning more precise. The Estimated Module Work-Study Time formula developed at Southern Illinois University School of Medicine is described. (Author/LBH)

An education reporter who took a leave of absence to observe competency-based education writes about his findings, which include both support and criticism of competency-based programs. (MF)

Competency statements were developed by Medical College of Virginia/Virginia Commonwealth University faculty who had course responsibility in the school of Pharmacy. Specific statements regarding "must have" and "should have" competencies are presented in this article. (LBH)