Social Efficiency

The Work of Franklin Bobbitt

The Curriculum (1918) and How to Make a Curriculum (1924) were Bobbitt's most widely known publications. Using Frederick Winslow Taylor's principles of scientific management, Bobbitt developed a curriculum that outlined specific goals and objectives that were clear and concise. His approach was not unlike those Taylor articulated earlier in the century to make American industry more efficient. The key principle in Taylor's theory was task analysis to develop roles and responsibilities for each worker. Each worker was given a narrowly defined production assignment to be performed at a specific rate, using certain predefined procedures. The precise steps would be developed by the manager. Bobbitt applied this concept of job analysis to curriculum development. It was evident that Taylor's work was successful and that the notion of defining specific activities could be transferred to various occupational, citizenship, family, and societal roles. With this in mind, Bobbitt applied these factors, objectives, and goals to education.

Bobbitt knew that vision and knowledge were two factors that would prove influential in the application of his theories. Vision, according to Bobbitt, is the underlying mental activity that influences a person's interpretation of the world. For example, enjoying music, developing art appreciation, reading literature, and applying math and reading skills all require learned educational concepts. In addition, knowledge helps the student become skilled and provides the basis for upward mobility and advancement. He felt it was important to keep members in society stratified or on equal ground within the stratification. Therefore, knowledge was for skill development within the prescribed occupation or vocation, not for self-advancement.

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