This article explains the research phase of the Adult Performance Level (APL) project, providing a brief history of how the APL life coping skills curriculum and Competency-Based High School Diploma Program evolved from the project's research and national survey of adult functional competency. Focuses on APL programs implemented within a…

Describes a comprehensive list of skills, personal qualities, and competencies considered essential for a child-care worker in India. This list was created by interviewing 30 training instructors from 10 agencies. It was found that these skills could be developed in the field worker through field-based, on-the-job training. (Author/CB)

Specific examples of competency-based vocational education programs in the United States demonstrate the advantages of the method in training youth and adults. The British New Training Initiative, Youth Training Scheme, and open tech concept additionally support the effectiveness of competency-based programs and self-paced learning materials. (SK)

Discusses methodological implications of a proficiency orientation focused on speaking, placing proficiency in the context of grammar, communicative competence, and functions/notions. Discusses repercussions in foreign language teaching of the varying emphases on these contexts. Asserts that a proficiency orientation allows tailoring of teaching…

Evaluated the effectiveness of the MASTERY model in teaching skills to graduate students (N=31) in the administration of the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale-Revised (WAIS-R). Results demonstrated that the MASTERY algorithm can be utilized as an effective means of assessing and training clinicians to pre-established competency standards of WAIS-R…

Discusses the advantages of individualized instruction and ten requirements for the implementation of a successful individualized program. (DC)

Defines oral communication competency and reports a project designed to measure "minimal competency" in cognitive and behavioral/performance dimensions of oral communication. Includes a taxonomy of sample competencies for the basic course and an approach to criterion-referenced measurement. (MH)

This document includes a 3-page brochure describing the main report and the main report. The report explores competency-based models in postsecondary institutions and other learning environments. It is intended primarily as a guide for postsecondary educators who are interested in establishing such efforts at their institutions. The following…

This book discusses questions regarding mathematics education in U.S. schools and presents individual reviews on the concerns about student competency and academic achievement in mathematics. The reviews focus on school mathematics programs in pre-kindergarten through eighth grades. Contents include: (1) "Looking at Mathematics and…

The development of curriculum and instructional materials for competency-based education (CBE) is a costly and complex process involving many critical tasks. Failure to carry out any of these tasks can jeopardize the entire instructional development effort. The importance of the process demands that appropriate and effective procedures be used so…

This paper outlines the Career Development Classroom Money System, a curriculum created specifically for young people, as well as the teachers, administrators, and school officials confronting the difficult tasks of helping them reach social, economic, and personal achievement. The Classroom Money System is a comprehensive, competency-based…

This report is the second in a series of RAND reports on the topic of education research and development proposing a long-term, strategic program of research and development in mathematics education. The RAND Mathematics Study Panel's recommendations for the substance and conduct of the program are presented in this report. The program is designed…

A study was conducted to develop a set of instructor standards that describe high-quality teaching behavior for adult literacy teachers, program administrators, state staff, and stakeholders. The standards were created by a task force of 15 experienced adult literacy practitioners and reviewed and revised by focus groups of practitioners at seven…

This article presents a case study of the design and implementation of an innovative instructional linkage with adults who had not participated in adult education programs. It describes a unique competency-based general skills program for middle-aged workers, senior citizens, and youth who have dropped out of traditional education programs. (JOW)

Relates the procedures and findings of a study of minimum competency programs (MCPs) in four Ohio school districts, focusing on: (1) operational definitions of MCPs; (2) the effects of MCPs on student achievement; and (3) the usefulness of the evaluation model used in the study for local evaluations. (AYC)