The enthusiasm for competency testing poses a contradiction, for it comes at a time when questions and criticisms are being increasingly raised about tests and their use. In three sections, this paper explores the competency testing movement: 1) main features and basic issues in the competency testing movements; 2) observations on the politics of…

Black educators and black teacher education are directly affected by the "back to basics" movement, the minimum competency testing program, and the use of standardized test scores as a criterion for teacher certification. Black educators have a high stake in the back to basics movement, and it is important for them to be involved in the…

Competency testing legislation is the result of citizen pressure and lacks the benefit of careful deliberation by professionals. Hastily passed legislation has forced state departments of education and school districts to accept their duty to implement competency testing programs without the appropriate resources. Many of the basic problems of…