Critical Issues in Competency Based Education focuses on the primary facets of competency-based education, emphasizing the setting of goals and assessment procedures in education. The manuscript first highlights the value of setting objectives in the educational process, including art appreciation and participatory citizenship. The text then underscores the importance of behaviorally defined goals and evaluation of competencies, as well as planning a course in research design and accuracy and significance of assessment procedures. The publication examines the impact on the educational community of behaviorally defined goals; clarification against specification of standards; and the role of students in choosing educational pathways. The possible effects for students, faculty, and administrators and impacts of the standard statements on the education and evaluation process are elaborated. The book also takes a look at process-oriented and core competencies, early childhood education competencies, and elective competencies. The text is highly recommended for readers interested in the facets of competency-based education.

First published in 1989. Routledge is an imprint of Taylor & Francis, an informa company.

Abstract: Performance-based, or competency-based education (CBE) is a concept for teaching which applies to all learning levels, as presented in a collection of papers written by educators who support its theory, implications, and practical application. CBE evolved from a philosophy of education that specifies behavioral objectives for which criterion levels of performance, or competency, are defined; an instructional plan aims the learner toward achieving these minimum expectancies. CBE and traditional educational systems are compared from a psychological viewpoint. Topics explored in this sourcebook for the CBE program include empathy-competence, affective behaviors, instructional techniques, curriculum design, achievement testing, and teacher certification. The special issues of communications technology, the open classroom, and urban children examine the implementation of competency-based learning in the schools. An annotated bibliography reviews research efforts in performance-based teacher education.

Leading educators explore the meaning and development of competency and the competency-based approach; review complex problems and issues pertaining to program development; examine the role of instruction in achieving competency-based education; describe school and non-school programs being implemented; probe evaluation issues; and examine implications of competency based education for secondary school practice.

Paperback edition of a text which discusses the history of competency-based education and training in Australia and internationally. Analyses the major issues relating to competency and provides step-by-step applications of competency-based education and training. Includes an index and bibliography. Barry Hobart is a professor and Roger Harris an associate professor in adult education and human resource development at the University of South Australia. Hugh Guthrie is a senior research fellow and David Lundberg is the research manager at the National Centre for Vocational Education Research.