Why Implement Outcome-Based Education?

Educating a human being is inherently complex and cannot be reduced to neat linearity as seen in many business models. While outcome-based approaches have become common in business, they are not without pitfalls. Do we know for sure what outcomes at the grade level can lead to the most productive adult? No, because each child is unique. Only a teacher who truly understands the individual needs and circumstances of the child can make these choices effectively.

The big question is: what are the critical impacts of education? Learning to think critically and operate within society are paramount. When we attempt to deconstruct this overarching goal, which looks different for each individual, we risk failing to achieve it. This is where the focus on outcome-based education is essential but also challenging.

Outcome-Based Education at the State Level

At the state level, outcome-based education begins with establishing standards. These standards are sets of knowledge and skills that a community or government deems essential for all students to achieve by the time they graduate. For example, the United States developed the Common Core standards, which specify what students need to know by the time they complete high school or enter university. These standards serve as the desired outcomes for education.

Once these standards are set, they are broken down into developmental stages for each grade level, creating a scope and sequence. In the United States, New York was a pioneer in creating the Common Core, with many other states adopting this framework with some variations. Arizona, for instance, refers to its own standards as College and Career Readiness Standards, but these are essentially the same as Common Core.

Local education agencies then create or adopt curriculum based on these standards, which is then paced to cover all standards within the school year. Teachers are provided with this curriculum and pacing guides to aid in lesson planning. They are expected to identify the relevant grade-level standards and plan lessons to ensure mastery.

To assess whether students have achieved these standards, a common assessment is designed at the end of the school calendar year. This assessment helps determine if students, teachers, and schools have met the intended outcomes for the appropriate grade level.

Outcome-Based Education at the School Level

At a more granular level, educators might turn to concepts such as Visible Learning, as introduced by Dr. John Hattie. This approach emphasizes the importance of measurable learning outcomes and aligns well with standards-based education. Before Dr. Hattie, professionals in education often used a strategy called Backward Design, which focuses on planning lessons with clear learning objectives and outcomes in mind.

Both Visible Learning and Backward Design have seen increased popularity with the implementation of standards-based education systems. Implementing these methods can involve a thorough and nuanced process depending on the specific curriculum design. Researching these topics is highly recommended for those looking to adopt outcome-based education at the school level.

Conclusion

Outcome-based education is a powerful tool that aligns with the broad goals of educational systems, but it requires careful planning, execution, and assessment. Success in adopting this approach hinges on understanding the individual needs and circumstances of students, as well as fostering critical thinking and societal skills. By focusing on these key areas, educators and policymakers can better prepare students for the challenges and opportunities of the future.