What is "Validated" Research?
In the debate over OBE, the term "research" has been used rather
loosely by OBE advocates. In fact, there are standards for what
constitutes validated research — meaning research from which a definite
conclusion can be drawn.
1. It must be conducted by an independent entity — one that is
not connected by association, practice, or finances to the program being
studied.
2.
There must be an observable research
design. That means:
§
That a control group (not in the
studied program) and an experimental group (in the program) are used which are
in every conceivable way identical except for the program being evaluated.
§
That the groups are sufficiently large
to draw conclusions.
§
That the conditions under which the
program is conducted are not biased toward either the control or experimental
group (for example, both groups gets equal instructional time).
§
That the program be of adequate
duration to fairly examine it.
§
And that the evaluation of the program
results be conducted in an objective, neutral manner.
3.
The results must be reproducible. Another research team, operating
separately, must be able to obtain the same results using the same methodology.
4. The results cited must be directly traceable to the program being
studied (for example, if a patient is given a new medicine and shows
improvement, but continues to improve after the medicine is discontinued, then
a researcher cannot conclude that the new medicine was the reason for the
improvement of the patient).
5. Program results must be evaluated externally and objectively, not
in a closed circle where the program is only tested against criteria it
establishes. For example, tests are
written to exactly match an OBE curriculum and no
other testing instruments are allowed to judge the success of the new
program. The program's claims of
success must be observable through outside measurements.
If an offered piece of documentation
does not include these elements, ASK FOR THEM. Stories are not research!
(Neither are anecdotes.)
We therefore advise parents to ask the
following questions when confronted with such documentation:
6. Who did the research proving that the program was successful?
7. Was the researcher independent of the program, not someone paid by
the district or with a vested interest in the program's success?
8. Did the program include two groups — an experimental group
and a control group — which were handled in identical conditions except
for method of instructions?
9. What outside, objective measurements prove the success of the
program?
10.
Where is the research published so it
can be accessed by parents and taxpayers?
You are not required to disprove every
claim of education bureaucrats.
They are imposing the mandates, so the burden of proof rests with them.
National Parents'
Commission
8 Entrance Drive
Johnstown, Pennsylvania
15905
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