This two-part paper describes an experiment with an alternative form of evaluation of New Zealand secondary school students' English proficiency. The first part presents a background of the New Zealand secondary education system and a lengthy discussion of the procedures that led to changing from a one-time, three-hour, external examination…

High school graduation requirements at the Delphian School are presented. The program consists of four levels. Level one is intended largely as review and remediation of previous schooling through the sixth grade. Levels two through four take the student through high school graduation. The requirements for each level are listed as well as course…

Arguing that the term "competency based education" (CBE) has been erroneously applied to minimum competency programs, this booklet contends that the problems addressed by the minimum competency movement can be, but probably will not be, resolved by the implementation of true competency based education (CBE). The first section of the booklet…

State and federal policy issues regarding graduation requirements for handicapped students are explored. After a historical review of such issues as school attendance laws and the competency based testing movement, the effect of state and federal legislation is discussed. State action regarding minimum competency testing is charted and four policy…

Proficiency, or competency, testing is a recent attempt to meet the public demand for accountability. But instead of placing the responsibility on the educational organization, competency testing appears to be a sophisticated approach to holding students and teachers accountable. Although some form of student assessment is needed, it is not yet…

With the beginning of the 1968-69 school term, the Atlanta Public Schools implemented the four-quarter plan for reorganization of the secondary school curriculum. The year is divided into four quarters of approximately the same length. Pupils were compelled to attend the first three quarters of the 1968-69 term. Fourth quarter attendance is…

This publication is designed to assist local school districts and other educational agencies in implementing career education in Idaho. Career education is part of a comprehensive education program and should not be conceived as a time segment of education such as vocational education or academic education. The basic educational objectives should…

This article reviews the development of, and controversy behind, minimum competency testing at the state and national levels. (WI)

A collage of excerpts about the Florida Minimum Competencies Testing Program. (Author/MLF)

A look at some of the State's 21 recommendations on high school graduation standards and NJEA's policy on high school graduation and basic skills. ( Editor)

Westside High School in Omaha, Nebraska, developed a series of minimum competencies in seven areas as standards for their graduates. One of the seven areas, consumerism, covers money management, credit, insurance, taxes, buying decisions, and consumer protection. (BM)

This article discusses recent changes in formative and summative assessment in Scotland. The Examination system is being extended to cover all aspects of schooling for all pupils. There are extensive changes in the system, now called Scottish National Diploma, for those pursuing business, technical, or vocational courses. (LMO)

If vocational educators are to continue to contribute to the education of America's students, they must be aware of and respond to the social, political, and economic forces that will change vocational education into something quite different from what it has been. (JOW)

A dental school program that provides students with the option of studying abroad at a participating school or hospital or designing their own course of study during their final four months is described. (MSE)