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1995-04-21
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ESSAY 55
THE
"OUTCOME-BASED EDUCATION"
MYTH
The claim that outcome-based education is true educa-
tional reform is wrong. OBE is yet another dangerous experi-
ment with our children.
It sounds good. The mastery approach to education is an
excellent method of learning. In this approach, the curric-
ulum developer determines what outcome (objectives) for the
student are needed. The objectives dictate the curriculum and
the student is taught the curriculum until he knows it. The
test consists of the objectives in question form. Curriculum
development in this system requires serious VALUE JUDGMENTS.
It also entails much more thinking, planning and hard work.
The values of the educational "elite" are not tradition-
al American values. They are of necessity atheistic and
based on the religion and values of secular humanism. The
Supreme Court, Congress and the NEA lobby have insured this.
Judeo-Christian values have been largely rejected.
"But," someone will say, "Academic courses in the areas
of math, social studies, English, literature and science
should not be affected by anti-Christian and anti-Jewish
values." Having both studied and taught philosophy and
religion, I must insist, "That statement is just not true."
IT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO SEPARATE BASIC ACADEMIC CURRICULUM FROM
RELIGION! When a former math teacher in public school told
me that secularism was being taught in math, I was shocked.
Math is supposed to be an absolute, logical discipline--or so
I thought. The truth is, the religion of the curriculum
developer, the religion of the administration and the reli-
gion of the teacher is inextricably woven into the curricu-
lum.
In addition to the written curriculum, the attitudes and
values of the authority figures are taught to the students.
MORE IS CAUGHT THAN TAUGHT. ROLE MODELS ARE VERY IMPORTANT
FOR STUDENTS.
Dr. Donald R. Howard, PhD, President of Accelerated
Christian Education, raises some serious questions concern-
ing OBE:
*Who will determine what the outcomes will be?
*What will be the format for teaching these out-
comes?
*How will proficiency be demonstrated or tested?
*How much instructional time will be devoted to
outcomes?
*Will academics be sacrificed for outcomes?
*Will parents have a voice in these decisions?
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
"OUTCOME BASED?" What will its OUTCOME be? Let's
be realistic! In my opinion, without a BASE of
absolutes, natural law, character, and values, this
is just another vain attempt. . . . History has
proven that reforms which get results all come from
the Bible. With more humanistic solutions--"more
of the same"--I predict that the "OUTCOME" will be
more drugs, more teen pregnancies, and more vio-
lence in the schools and in our culture. If we want
the "OUTCOME" to be more character, more excel-
lence, and more success, both personally and for
our nation, Biblical principles, values, and char-
acter are the only solutions to the academic
crisis. [Donald R. Howard, "Outcome-Based Education
Versus ACE School of Tomorrow," SCHOOL OF TOMORROW
ACCELERATOR Vol. No. XXIV (March-April 1994), pp.
1-2].
AMEN! So, what is the solution to our educational
crisis? We MUST return to God and His Word. The nation will
continue on its downward spiral if it does not.
If the Congress and the Supreme Court will not choose
God and His Word, then parents can place their children
in Christian schools or home school. I recommend that parents
do this even if it costs them extra. IN THE FINAL ANALYSIS,
WE DO WHAT WE CHOOSE TO DO. THERE IS A WAY TO ACCOMPLISH WHAT
IS RIGHT!
Parents should insist on their Congressmen passing laws
requiring vouchers to be given to parents for the school of
their choice. It is unethical to require parents to send
their children to school without providing a means whereby
the parents can follow the dictates of their conscience. FOR
SOME IT IS A MATTER OF CONSCIENCE. It is unethical to FORCE
parents to support public schools through taxation. Then, in
addition, parents have to pay tuition for their children in
Christian schools.
END