Outlines the process of mastery learning and the benefits it has for student attitude and achivement. (RK)

Examines the assumptions underlying mastery learning to identify contradictions between these assumptions and the pedagogy of humanistic education. Finds no such contradiction. Suggests reasons for humanities instructors' opposition or indifference to mastery learning. Reviews the strategies used in the City Colleges of Chicago's faculty…

Focuses on modifying personalized systems of instruction (PSI) by using competency unit testing instead of mastery testing. The algebra service courses at the University of Arizona are described. Includes data on student achievement. (MNS)

Proposes a grading system for nursing education, consisting of (1) a within-class component, based on mastery testing and criterion-referenced assessment to develop academic knowledge and clinical skills; and (2) a between-class component, based on norm-referenced assessment to provide a statistically sound class ranking. (SK)

Presents abstracts of 17 documents from "Resources in Education" on programed instruction, personalized system of instruction, and computer-assisted instruction. (PD)

Employed two strategies used to test prerequisite relationships among intellectual skills to examine the sequence of three types of subtraction tasks. A psychometric validation strategy yielded results similar to instructional validation strategy. Supports the use of the more efficient psychometric approach for validating large numbers of learning…

The process of forming practical abilities and skills in training situations through the control of the assimilation process is described, and an experimental application of this process for the instruction of machine operators is reported. Six references are included. (CHC)

Describes two introductory college-level geography programs which use undergraduate students as peer teachers. In a human geography course, they act as small-group leaders in role-playing simulations. In a physical geography course, peer teachers serve as tutors for mastery learning. Socio-psychological, pedagogical, economic, and political…

Determines if grade nine students (N=98) experiencing similar instructional characteristics but participating in either mastery or traditional labs would demonstrate different concept retention levels. A matched pairs design was employed. Results indicate mastery-based instruction fosters an improvement in cognitive learning of students in this…

Reviews the literature on developmental studies programs, focusing on selecting effective teachers; personalized instruction and mastery learning; teacher competence in helping relationships; faculty preparation programs; learning disabilities; and the administration and management of developmental studies programs. (AYC)

Presents a rationale for using a Mastery Learning approach to competency-based education in public speaking. Identifies assumptions and applications of such an approach and describes procedures for teaching public speaking competence on this basis. (JMF)

Describes a self-paced mastery learning process applied to an introductory sociology course at Lambton College (Sarnia, Ontario) in an attempt to correct traditional instructional and grading "malpractices." Describes course goals and organization, behavioral objectives, grading contracts, teaching techniques, student evaluation and feedback, and…

Presents a theory of school learning that attempts to explain individual differences in school learning as well as to determine the ways in which such differences may be altered. (MP)

The study reported indicates that despite the fact that undergraduate majors in elementary education could demonstrate attainment of a minimum standard on science content knowledge at one time, many were not able to demonstrate competence at the minimum standard at graduation time. (MK)

Explores the instructional effectiveness of diagnostic testing in mastery teaching. A set of objectives with diagnostic tests were taught to high school students in one of two human psychology classes; the other class was taught by standard instructional methods. Results comparing achievement and attitude indicate no differences for either group.…