Individualized prescribed instruction - a critique

Abstract

As educators we have been striving constantly to develop stronger educational programs to assist the individual learner. The Learning Research and Development Center at the University of Pittsburgh has adopted instructional materials in elementary mathematics and reading that are designed for instructing the individual pupil. This program, known as Individually Prescribed Instruction, was developed by Drs. Glaser, Bolvin, and Lindvall in cooperation with the University of Pittsburgh and the Baldwin-Whitehall Public School system near Pittsburgh. In their discussion of this program, Beck and Bolvin ( 1: 130) state: The IP/ model for individualization consists of the following components: 1) sequentially established curricular objectives in each area stated in behavioral terms, 2) procedures and processes for diagnosis of student achievement in terms of the objectives of the curriculum, 3) materials for individualizing learning to provide a variety of paths for attainment of mastery of any given objective, 4) a system for individually prescribing the learning tasks that the student is ready to undertake, 5) the organization and management of individualization as it relates to the total school environment, and 6) strategies for continuous evaluation and feedback of information for teacher decision-making.--Page 3.