Manchester interview: competency-based teacher education/certification

The Manchester Interview is a fictitious report of a conversation between three educators in 1980. The report reviews the present course and future alternatives of a competency-based teacher education and certification. The use of three fictional characters enables the report to cover three views and many facets of what might happen to a structure of teacher education. Areas of specific concern include a) a fundamental description of competency-based teacher education, b) the purpose and description of a teaching center, c) the advantages of colleges within the state eliminating teacher training functions, d) requirements for a staff of a competency-based program, e) the new role of the state in the training program, f) an overview of the mechanics of the program and a module, g) a review of the expectations and results of the program including successes as well as problems faced, and h) the role of the student including a look at financial implications. Although this report described a realistic competency-based program, no state has as yet committed its resources to the implementation of this type of center.