Issues in Minimum Competency Testing and Competency Based Education

Abstract

A variety of viewpoints were represented in this symposium for chief state school officials and senior staff of state departments of education. Russell Vlaanderen, Education Commission of the States, opened with a national overview: "The Policy Implications of Minimum Competency Testing: The Case of the Standardized Student." Attorney Merle Steven McClung cautioned that many current state programs may violate student "due process" in "Are Competency Testing Programs Fair? Legal?" Glenn Davis, in "The California Experience in Minimum Competency Testing and CBE," and Ken Loewe in "Florida's Program in Minimum Competency Testing," offered an historical perspective for the less experienced states. Michigan State Senator Jack Faxon addressed "The Consumer's View of Education: Legislative Concerns for Educational Accountability." Representing the National Institute of Education were Paul Cawein: "Beyond Minimum Competency Testing: CBE as an Educational Reform Process" and Ed Ellis: "Linking Educational Agents for Improved Practices." Presentations on "State Programs Related to CBE and Minimum Competencies" completed the proceedings; Alan Morgan described New Mexico's Basic Skills Plan which has an unusual life skills emphasis, James Casey described Oklahoma's recent basic skills assessment, and Keith Cruse outlined Texas' unusual approach to defining educational outcomes through a school accreditation process. The presentations highlighted important policy implications in the nature and assessment of competencies, the evaluation of student progress, and the organization of curriculum and instruction for competency. (Author/CP)