This paper describes the development and outcomes of New York State's "Invitation to Invention," the Regents Exam Options Project. Initiated as a temporary strategy to encourage and support local changes in teaching and assessment toward the learner-centered reforms taking place in the state, the project provided high school teachers and…

The Kentucky Competency-Based Adult Education (KCBAE) curriculum was developed over a 3-year period and ultimately distributed to all Kentucky adult education and literacy programs in 1995-96. Sixteen competency/duty areas define the subject content. Although each duty area is divided into three skill levels (beginning and intermediate adult basic…

Although the competency based assessment "movement" has undergone intense examination and much change, the concept of the competent communicator and the difficulties associated with measuring such proficiencies remain. The progression of terminology used in the literature reflects that what began as lists of skills to be tested so that…

This digest examines the tenets of outcome-based education (OBE), outlines some of its primary criticisms and challenges, and describes successful OBE models implemented in various school districts. Outcome-based education (OBE) is one model for restructuring currently being examined nationwide. In contrast to traditional educational practices…

This book helps with the implementation of academic standards and reviews the reflections and experiences of educational leaders who have been pioneers in the standards movement. The text features a brief overview of some of the questions that surround the topic of standards for content and performance. These questions include: why do we need such…

Competencies essential for organization development consultants, internal and external, have evolved over 20 years, based on literature and feedback from nearly 2,000 practitioners and academics. Further research is being conducted to determine what competencies are essential for internal and external organization development consultants today and…

This publication contains statewide standards for the barbering program in Georgia. The standards are divided into 12 categories: foundations (philosophy, purpose, goals, program objectives, availability, evaluation); admissions (admission requirements, provisional admission requirements, recruitment, evaluation and planning); program structure…

To improve education, educators and policymakers must acknowledge the fact that often what happens in the classroom is governed by achievement tests, college entrance examinations, and other standardized tests. It is for this reason that many have begun to look at methods of assessment when considering the improvement of education. This document…

This annotated bibliography on performance assessment in schools lists 16 journal articles and 2 reports which were published between 1991 and 1993. Citations address the following aspects of performance assessment: conditions for alternative assessments, validity and reliability issues, accountability issues, performance assessment in science and…

This publication is designed to direct and support instruction in an occupational spin-off area within vocational cosmetology programs in Oklahoma. This instructor guide contains three units: (1) recognizing arm/hand anatomy and disorders/diseases; (2) preparing for a manicure; and (3) preparing for a pedicure. Each instructional unit includes…

The general objectives of an Arkansas technical school's self-paced individualized instruction program were designing, field testing, and disseminating an instructional management system with support materials that identify and justify the need for a program of instruction. Eight specific objectives have been developed to facilitate students'…

The U.S. Commissioner of Education, addressing the 1975 Convention, defines vocational education, discusses research on the learning process and implications for vo-ed, quotes George Bernard Shaw in industrialism, and warns against compartmentalizing vocational education. To achieve performance-based learning, individual learner needs are a…

Suggests that given the current weaknesses in empirical bases for specifying competencies and the problems with assessment, the first rule of individuals and groups with power or influence in education would be not to legislate competencies or objectives and not to legislate competency based education. (Author/AM)

Fieldwork teaching in Great Britain is discussed in terms of benefits to the student teachers involved and improved interaction between the community and educational services. A variety of teaching methods and settings, fieldwork placement principles, and a discussion of fieldwork and classroom teaching are presented. (LH)

The case for criterion-referenced measurement is discussed versus the conventional norm-referenced grading methods. (Author/BP)