Educational Terms

Areas:

Relates to one or more of the competencies being evaluated, e.g. Brakes, Electrical/Electronic Systems, Engine Performance, Heating and Air Conditioning, etc.

Articulation:

A formal written agreement, usually between a secondary and post-secondary institution that are geographically within a reasonable daily commuting distance of each other. The agreement will clearly denote that students completing specific secondary courses in accordance with predetermined performance criteria will have partially completed commensurate requirements for a completion certificate or diploma awarded by the post-secondary institution. Commensurate requirements could be in the form of credit equivalents, advanced placement, task completion, etc., at the post-secondary institution.

Curriculum:

All the objectives of the lesson plan with respect to the content and learning activities, arranged in a sequence for a particular instructional area. An orderly arrangement of integrated subjects, activities, time allocations, and experiences which students pursue for the attainment of a specific educational goal.

Competency:

(Hands On) - Performance of task to the level or degree specified in the performance standard and curriculum for the task.

Competency:

(Written) – Understanding of task to the level or degree specified in the performance standard and curriculum for the task.

Criterion Referenced Measure(s):

An exercise based on a performance objective for a task, and designed to measure student "hands on" competency. (Also called performance test(s) or criterion-referenced test.)

Goal:

A statement of the intended outcome of participation in the training program.

Mastery:

(See Competency - Hands On and Competency - Written).

On-vehicle service and repair work:

The processing, assignment and student performance of the appropriate tasks on vehicles donated by manufacturers or other sources, customer-owned, and other training vehicles.

Performance Objective:

A written statement describing an intended outcome (competent task performance) in terms of student performance.

Personal Characteristics:

Attributes that are not readily measurable, and are generally in the affective or cognitive domains.

Priority Ratings:

Indicates the minimum percentage of tasks, by area, a program must include in its curriculum in order to be certified in that area.

Standard:

"Something established for use as a rule or basis of comparison in measuring or judging capacity, quantity, content, extent, value, quality, etc." Webster's New World Dictionary (1991)

  • Performance Standard: A written specification of the results of acceptable task performance.
  • Personal Standard: An attribute or characteristic of an individual that facilitates entry into, or advancement within an occupation.
  • Program Standard: A specific quality or desired characteristic of a training program designed to prepare individuals for employment or advancement. NATEF Program Standards are stated using the words Must or Should. Must indicates the requirement is mandated. Should is used to express a recommendation; not mandatory but attainment would increase program quality.

Task:

A unit of work activity which has an identifiable beginning and ending point in its accomplishment, and consists of one or more measurable steps.

Training Station:

An area with appropriate tools and equipment, large enough to allow the development of both safety and competency in task performance.