This manual provides background materials for Project CIRCLE (Curriculum by Industry Review-Computers Link to Education), a competency-based curriculum developed to provide trainers or educators teaching short-term or long-term programs with a complete field-tested curriculum in microcomputer applications. Prefatory materials and acknowledgements are given in sections I and II, and Section III provides information on the manual's use and describes contents of the manual and options regarding their instructional applications. Section IV lists recommended references and section V provides the form used for student teaching and record keeping on students' achievement of competencies. Section VI, which comprises the bulk of the manual, includes competency sheets detailing program name, job title, competency title and number, student objective, measure of competency, resources to be used, learning activities, and evaluation criteria; narrative information; sample tests and answers; and a performance checklist for the three program areas. The final sections provide a glossary of relevant terms and a certificate of completion to be awarded to each student listing the competencies completed. (HB)