Re: Bill Spadey...

[William Cala <Wcala@SERVTECH.COM>]

I can't say that I totally agree with Jerry on his assessment of OBE.  While in theory what he posits in Chapter 4 of Final Exam is certainly possible, the proof lies in the implementation and the resources.  The extra time provided in Bloom centered mastery is provided to all under the same conditions.  This enables low performing students to seek out additional help and instruction without being viewed as punishment.  All levels of kids were provided additional types of instruction under the same scheduling circumstances.  Yes, mastery learning does provide opportunities for high end kids to go even further BUT if done right, poor perfoming students actually have opportunities to experience success.  

I do not speak theoretically here.  I ran a mastery program for 5 years.  I never viewed providing re-testing opportunities as a "gift".  I built an environment where students were taught that they had a "right" to retake tests and re-do performances and demonstrations.  We built an environment the demanded an individual's quality work.  Self Co-Inspection of work by each student was critical to the quality process as was removal of fear and coercion. (From Demings 14 points).  

Now Spady himself.  In the early 90s I studied his stuff extensively.  Some really good stuff is in the OBE package.  Some of the accountability checks are insufficient.  His understanding of learning is pretty good if one looks simply at content.  Bloom theory works best in conjunction with constructivist underpinnings (real life connections).  Mastery basically ignores this point.

Recently Spady has turned into a shameless hawk of his own published materials.  About a year ago I sat in on one of his workshops and couldn't wait to leave.  I have heard him speak many times.  I resent the fact that he has completely caved into the religious right.  They killed OBE and he will not even mention the acronym or any of the three composite words in the same sentence.  He's a sell out.  I do not mind criticism of OBE, it had its problems (mostly perception by nuts like Rush Limbaugh and Phyllis Shaftley etc), but to undergo shock treatments to forget you ever sold the package is gutless.  He can't sell anything if he associates himself with OBE.  

His new stuff is not bad, but its not worth cataloguing either.  

Bill Cala


  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: Robert E. Bowd 
  To: ARN-L@LISTS.CUA.EDU 
  Sent: Tuesday, January 08, 2002 2:24 PM
  Subject: Bill Spadey...


  Could someone give me the progressive community's perspective on the work of Bill Spadey and related concepts of outcomes-based learning and system standards?  If you can direct me to some useful literature, that would be helpful.

  Thanks.

  In education,
  Bob Bowd
  The Ontario Institute for Studies in Education/University of Toronto