WHAT IS OUTCOME-BASED EDUCATION?
By: Lynn M Stuter, © March 1996
http://www.learn-usa.com/education_transformation/~education.htm  

Outcome-based or performance-based education [1] is a shift in teaching/learning methodology and in purpose. The education system on which America has run, from its inception up through the early 1960's, is known as a traditional education system. It focused on content — was content rich — the acquisition of knowledge with the child being challenged to use the scope of that knowledge to formulate a reasoned conclusion or judgment. In this context content means core knowledge — what most parents refer to as the three r's – reading, 'riting, and 'rithmetic. When education reformers use the word content, they do not mean core knowledge. [2]

Outcome-based education calls for a shift in that paradigm (model, pattern), from content to process in which a child is called upon to demonstrate what he knows and can do against standards established at the state and national [3] level. Instead of core knowledge being the focal point of education, problems, issues, and challenges based as on future trends presented in the context of unit themes (also known as thematic units) becomes the focal point.

Under outcome-based education, the district undergoes a process of restructuring, the framework of which is the establishment of –

·         a mission statement

·         a beliefs statement

·         student learning goals

·         curriculum [4] and instruction aligned to the exit outcomes

·         assessment tools to measure whether the child is being moved to mastery of the exit outcomes

The mission statement is a statement of the purpose of the organization; the beliefs statement is a statement of belief about children and learning. The student learning goals are five or six broad generalizations of what the child should know and be able to do as the result or end product of his/her schooling experience. The student learning goals are called by various names in various districts. Some of the more generic terms for them are exit outcomes, process outcomes, student learning goals, goals, learner outcomes and outcomes. For the purposes of clarity here, they will be known as the exit outcomes.

Exit outcomes, stated in various ways, are pivotal to the entire restructuring process, are based on future trends, are complex demonstrations of personal development, and are intended to produce children who…

·         are self directed learners;

·         are critical thinkers/problem solvers/decision makers;

·         are communicators and collaborators (team players);

·         can express themselves creatively, proactively, and responsibly;

·         easily adapt to change;

·         exhibit self-esteem; and