Inflation of the Competence-Based Approach in the Russian Pedagogical Science and Practical Teaching

Introduction. In the last one and a half decades in Russian education competence-based approach has widely extended. Competence-based approach arose in the 1970s in the USA and gained development for the solution of problems of professional education. During mass realization of this approach in the system of the Russian education its idea began to be emasculated and turned into own contrast gradually. As a result, the advantages of the competence-based concept were leveled down, and it lost its practical importance. The aim of the present publication is to prepare the empirical bases of competence- based approach, to open an essence of its theoretical kernel – the term "competence", to define limits of its applicability and expediency of use. Methods. Competence-based approach is considered by the author according to the general methodological structure of the scientific theory. The analysis and synthesis of theses of normative documents (Federal State Educational Standards), contents of the scientific and methodical works and scientific publications devoted to the practical application of competence-based approach are performed. Results and scientific novelty. From critical positions various definitions of competence as a key concept of competence-based approach are analysed. The general scheme of formation of competence is presented. The need of accurate localization of its content which provides speed of achievement of the required results and a possibility of their diagnostics is emphasized. The framework of application of competence-based approach is designated: it is effective if trainees are trained for performance of unambiguously described, algorithmic professional functions; it is of little use for training of specialists whose future professional activity means a big share of a productive, creative component; it is irrational in school education which is aimed at the general development, but not at early narrow specialization which does not allow to be created to a complete picture of the world and leads to loss of fundamental nature of the general education. It is shown on concrete examples how the concept of competence of the Russian pedagogical science and practice «is degraded»: various common cultural, key, transparent and other competences become synonyms of the concepts "culture", «thinking», and «education». It is emphasized that the competence, which went beyond its subject domain and borders of educational process, loses the practical sense. The conclusion is drawn on inflation and insolvency of competence-based approach in modern education. Practical significance . It is offered to limit the use of category of competences only to those professional spheres which are connected with the performance of accurately algorithm-based actions that lead to receiving a concrete measurable product; or as an alternative to consider resulting educational effect as a product of independent activity of a student. Otherwise, further profanation of competence-based approach will be aggravated, and the quality of training of graduates of educational institutions of various levels will decrease.