Effective assessment is crucial to outcome-based learning programs. One choice to be made in such programs is whether assessment of student learning should be carried out within course structures or external to them. Advantages to each approach are suggested. The overall recommendation is for external assessment. (Author/MLW)

Evaluated an intervention program for child abusers using multiple outcome criteria and extended follow-up. Findings indicated that training abusive parents in child-management and self-control techniques resulted in improvements in parenting skills. A one-year follow-up found no incidences of child abuse among treatment families reported to or…

Peoria's efforts with the development and implications of a Minimum Competency Testing (MCT) program are described, including the program model used, numbers of high school seniors and seventh graders who passed the pilot test sequence, and views on the advantages, disadvantages, and effectiveness of the MCT program. (Editor/SJL)

Needs assessment, identification of objectives, training and evaluation procedures of a Competency Based Education (CBE) system and minimum competencies are discussed. These are applied to second language instruction utilizing the Council of Europe's "Threshold Level" core from which statements may be developed and applied in a CBE learning…

The individualized learning model, discussed in this article, uses an efficient feedback mechanism which incorporates an innovative student evaluation program and a unique system of classroom management. The design provides a model for monitoring student progress. (Author/SA)

Examines the effectiveness of "maverick schools"-- low-income neighborhood urban public schools with exceptionally high student achievement. Elements of their success include emphasis on basic skills, discipline, direct teaching styles, and committed leadership. (SK)

Defines competency-based adult education as activities providing coping and life skills, functional literacy, mastery learning, external or alternative high school diplomas, and educational credits for life experiences. Discusses activities in relation to federally authorized Adult Basic Education, minimal testing, Adult Performance Level…

Demonstrates the role the guarantee of due process can play in ensuring that vital interests in public education not be lost through erroneous assessments of a student's proficiency in basic skills, and describes the limits constitutional and statutory guarantees of equal educational opportunity place on the use of competency testing. (Author/IRT)

Membership in the worldwide community means that students must possess globally competitive skills. In 1993, the author and the Colorado General Assembly worked to pass a comprehensive educational reform strategy that established "model" content standards in mathematics, science, geography, history, reading, and writing. Uniform…

Examines the development and implementation of a multicultural education workshop designed to help future elementary school teachers prepare for classroom student diversity. Student journals and faculty perceptions are used in an outcome analysis that reveals an increase in participant knowledge, skills, and attitudes necessary for the…

Describes the design and development of a computer-managed learning system that aids in curriculum development. Automated Reasoning Tool (ART)--an expert system prototyping tool--is explained; learning objectives are discussed; representation of a curriculum framework is described; and plans for future development of the system are presented.…

Describes the newly formed partnership of the American Library Association, the American Association of School Librarians, and the National Council on the Accreditation of Teacher Education. The discussion covers the benefits to be gained by the school media specialist profession in terms of defining professional competencies, curriculum…

Two questions concerning assessment of supervised work experience (or sandwich courses in Britain) are: What should be assessed? and How should it be assessed? The first question involves issues of defining practical experience, measuring experiential learning and competence, and considering the relationship of theory and practice. Evaluation…

Given the importance of proficiency in English for meaningful participation in Australian society and employment, a government-funded study examined the barriers to employment, training, and job promotion for 57 women with English language and literacy difficulties. Specific barriers are reported, including the new competency-based vocational…

Maintains that, throughout U.S. educational history, expectations of what students should learn have changed only a few times. Discusses competency-based education in social studies and curriculum standards established by the Illinois State Board of Education. Includes criteria standards for social studies. (CFR)