Criterion-Referenced Curricular Decision-Making; Critical Computer Applications.

The most promising and significant utilization of computer science in school districts is said to be in the domain of curricular decision making. The potential for humanizing instruction for students and refining the content and make-up of curricular offerings is particularly emphasized. A step-by-step decision making method is advanced as follows: identifying and sequencing skills and processes; referencing skills and processes to curricular materials; constructing representative test items; referencing test items to skills and processes; and establishing decision rules. Methods for improving more effective delivery of services to students are described, along with the use of computers in curricular material organization and cost-effectiveness analysis. (SK)