Southern Illinois University School of Medicine's personalized teaching system has the following features: students are provided with behavioral objectives prior to instruction; passing levels for tests are set in advance and are independent of class performance; and the program is divided into small units and students are tested frequently. (LBH)

Presents arguments in favor of competency-based general education within the context of a program developed at Central Technical Community College (Nebraska) which utilizes an open entry, open exit approach for all programs. Outlines suggested competencies in the areas of communications and oral communications. (MB)

The relative merits of several methods, Bayesian and classical, for the estimation of student mastery are investigated. (Editor)

Explores different ways individuals conceptualize quality learning in physics. Uses semi-structured interviews that explore aspects of learning that respondents regard as worth fostering in their classrooms. Discusses different respondent conceptions with regard to four significant aspects of physics learning: doing experimental work; linking…

Offers comments on articles in this special issue relating to critical theory, deconstruction, and postmodernism as they affect educational technology. Topics discussed include the modernist, positivist approach to educational technology; systems theory and instructional design; evaluating media for stereotypes; and mastery learning. (LRW)

Slavin discusses cooperative learning and the "best evidence" approach to research synthesis. Critiques Benjamin Bloom's mastery learning, Madeline Hunter's program, and expert-novice studies. Introduces his current program called "Success for All," which targets early childhood education and stresses success the first time…

Traces the development of outcome-based education and mastery learning, highlighting the work of Ralph W. Tyler and Benjamin S. Bloom. OBE is principally a goal-driven curriculum reform model with definite implications for assessing student learning. Mastery learning is primarily an instructional process to help teachers enhance their teaching…

Information on students' math skill mastery based on curriculum-based measurement was provided to nine special and general education elementary teachers. Teachers were asked to identify the specific math skills their students had mastered. Results indicated that most teachers were not accurate at judging math skill mastery despite having specific…

The Content Mastery program, which evolved from the synergistic model, provides instructional accommodations and teacher consultation and support that encourage the success of students with learning disabilities in regular classroom settings. Students remain in mainstream classes as long as they can profit from instruction and attend the Content…

A curriculum model linking mastery learning, individualized instruction, and modularized instruction would be ideal for the effective streaming of adult students toward targeted career objectives in the continuous intake programs of Ontario's community colleges. Pitfalls of implementation include teacher overload and lack of administrative…

The supervision model adopted by the Minot (North Dakota) Public School District Board of Education provided the skeletal foundation for the Magic City Campus instructional growth plan. By enhancing this framework with both an instructional model and indepth coaching, teacher growth and effectiveness naturally evolved. Principals striving to be…

Outcome-based education is rooted in earlier ideas, such as Tyler's objectives, Spady's outcomes, Glaser's criterion-referenced measurement, Bloom's mastery learning, 1970s accountability concerns, and the 1960s competency-based education movement. Minnesota's experience suggests various practical implementation challenges concerned with…

Despite the popularity of outcome-based education, research documenting its effects is rare. As an umbrella concept embracing various reform efforts, OBE defies easy definition. This article explains two OBE models (Mastery Learning and the Outcomes-Driven Developmental Model used in Johnson City, New York, Schools) and summarizes recent state OBE…

Discusses the development of content and student performance standards in 8 core curriculum areas (math, science, civics, history, geography, the arts, English, and foreign languages) to help meet goal 3 of the national education goals, which states that by the year 2000 students will leave grades 4, 8, and 12 having mastered challenging subject…

Examines the historical background of mastery learning, discussing computer assisted instruction (CAI), cooperative learning, and constructivist learning as related to mastery learning. CAI is described as a tool to help teachers when using mastery learning. Comparisons between cooperative and mastery learning are made, and support for research…