This mixed-method study explored the alignment of expected student learning outcomes (SLOs) and expected student entrance skills, as stated within "course outlines of record" (CORs), for basic skills courses in one California community college district. Researchers evaluated consistencies and discrepancies in course alignment. There were…

This guide is designed as a reference for District and School personnel working with English learners (ELs). The content of the guide represents a compilation of information, examples, and resources. This guide is a living document and subject to frequent updates. It is recommended to review the document online rather than printing a hard copy.

The supervision/management of a project that identified the educational objectives in the basic skills for South Carolina, and which relied heavily on a contractor's services, is retrospectively viewed. Some potentially generalizable principles of supervision for such development projects are isolated. (Author/AL)

This paper explores the issue of establishing and evaluating objectives for local career education programs. It presents a perspective on the state of the art based on reviews of the literature. Although it is addressed principally to local program developers and managers, the paper is also aimed at state career education coordinators. After a…

The Navy is finding it increasingly difficult to attract personnel with aptitude scores high enough to make them eligible for entry into Class "A" technical schools. Training courses were developed for low aptitude students that would increase their mastery of the prerequisite skills and knowledge (S/Ks) they would need for success in…

This document, which is intended for adult educators and others interested in developing and delivering a workplace education program, provides an overview of workplace education. First, workplace education programs are defined as programs in which adult learners are taught basic skills by using the functional context of their jobs and a…

After learning that graduating seniors at El Cajon Valley High School, California, were scoring around the 20th percentile in all the basic skills areas tested, teachers redoubled their efforts to establish proficiency standards in basic skills already identified by the community and governing board as a first priority. (Author/RK)

The State of Florida has, for several years, been committed to perfecting a workable system of accountability for the public schools. The Florida Statewide Assessment Program, begun in 1971, has been an important element in this accountability effort. The Program was designed to assess students' academic strengths and weaknesses, particularly in…

Mathematical literacy for all students is discussed. A positive approach is suggested, to help mathematics educators determine how demands for programs to develop basic skills are to be met. (JT)

The paper focuses on the need to broaden the objectives of adult basic education instruction in order to make them more relevant to the immediate needs of participants and more germane to the mandate to foster economic independence and social participation. (Author/MW)

The development and implementation of the Dallas Independent School District's Basic Objectives Assessment Test (BOAT) are described. Beginning in 1979, this minimum competency test was administered system-wide to all students in grades 8-12 (except for those enrolled as special education students), and beginning in 1983 it will be used in…

Suggestions are presented that are drawn from basic skills instruction at the English Learning Centre at Gloucestershire College of Arts and Technology (England), an open learning center geared specifically for ESOL students. Funded for 2 years as a special project by the Adult Literacy and Basic Skills Unit, the center examines procedures that…

Reviews the status of competency-based high school graduation requirements in Oregon, Minnesota, and Alaska; explores problems of testing certain competencies; and presents a directory of 10 competency-based programs. (AV)

When designing competency based education programs to meet state requirements, California educators would do well to select only a small number of highly significant competencies per basic skill area, for which they can devise on-target instruction and valid competency measures. (SJL)

This handbook contains suggestions for the use of results from the New Mexico High School Proficiencies Examination (NMHSPE) and describes procedures for developing programs and planning intervention strategies. The information and guidelines will facilitate administrative action for program improvement through integration of the NMHSPE results…