Preparing School Health Educators for Outcome Based Education: Consideration for Professional Preparation Programs.

Overview & Synopsis

In the context of the growing movement towards outcome based education, this paper provides a basic overview of this movement and its implications for the professional preparation of health educators, particularly as implemented in Pennsylvania. After listing the three basic principles and four concepts of outcome based education, the paper describes Pennsylvania reforms which mandate the revision of secondary school curricula for an outcome based education focus. Of a total of 53 student learning outcomes, 6 are in the academic area of wellness and fitness; the paper notes that these will be the starting point for curriculum development. The paper lists the six health and wellness outcomes, describes the teaching strategies for preservice school health education students in conformity with the reforms, and describes some practical instructional plans and strategies for teaching a preservice teacher education course in this area. Final sections describe a completed student learning outcome poster and suggest strategies for preparation of course syllabi and structures based on outcome based education. (JB)