Accelerated Christian Education (ACE) Curriculum: A Comprehensive Overview

Accelerated Christian Education (ACE), also known as School of Tomorrow, is an American educational company that produces a curriculum based on a literal interpretation of the Bible, teaching academic subjects from a Protestant fundamentalist or conservative evangelical perspective. Founded in 1970 by Baptist minister Donald Ray Howard and his wife Esther Hilte Howard, ACE aims to provide a biblically literalist education. Donald Howard actively promoted ACE schools as a new form of "educational mission."

History and Development

In 1978, Christianbook began as a small venture by two brothers selling discounted academic titles. By 1986, ACE opened a three-story facility in Lewisville, Texas, to handle its growing operations. Esther Howard took over control of ACE the following year.

Curriculum Structure and Content

The ACE curriculum is structured around a system of individualized learning using materials tailored to a student's level of understanding, rather than their age. A diagnostic test places each new student at the appropriate level in each subject. The curriculum consists of videos, computer software, and PACEs (Packet of Accelerated Christian Education). Each subject level includes 12 PACEs, with students typically completing at least 70 PACEs per academic year.

Each PACE begins with an overview of learning objectives, a scripture to memorize, a character trait to strive toward, and a list of necessary supplies. The core subjects include mathematics, English, literature and creative writing, word building/etymology, science, and social studies. In the Philippines, students also study Araling Panlipunan and Filipino.

PACE Components

Within each PACE, students encounter review exercises called "Checkups" and a "Self Test" at the end. Supervisors guide students without providing direct answers, encouraging independent problem-solving. The passing score for the PACE Test typically ranges from 80% to 90%, depending on the school. Students who fail must take corrective measures to pass the subject.

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Accelerated Christian Education® has divided the conventional style textbook into bite-sized, achievable worktexts called PACEs. Each PACE is similar to a unit in a textbook. Each level consists of 12 PACEs in each subject.

Individualized Learning

ACE stands out from other curriculum providers with its individualized, self-instructional, mastery-based approach. With minimal assistance, PACEs allow students to absorb subject material according to their own learning ability rather than being pushed forward or held back by their age. For instance, a student placed in the fifth grade by a conventional school may be taking PACEs in Level 4 math, Level 5 science, and Level 5 English in the A.C.E. program.

Students begin their PACE work by noting their goals, the concepts they will learn, a Bible verse, and a corresponding character trait. From the beginning of each PACE, they know what is expected and assume the responsibility for their own learning!

Reading Development

A.C.E.’s reading development curriculum includes individualized programs designed for a variety of learners and learning situations. This full-year program is based on a complete scope and sequence of concepts and skills needed to prepare a child to read. The program is designed for children who do not pass both parts of the ABCs with Ace and Christi Pretest. Sixty PACEs (2,000 pages) filled with Bible and animal pictures, coordination development activities, and full-color picture stories encourage a child to want to read. This full-year program is designed for those who have not been to school or who do not yet know how to read. To begin in this program, the student must pass both parts of the Pretest and show the proper maturity level as determined by the Coordination Development Tests. In the first 12-15 weeks, the ABCs with Ace and Christi program will prepare children for the individualized instruction of the PACE curriculum. This full-year program is designed for children ages 5-9 who have passed the Pretest, which helps determine if a student is ready to learn to read.

Core Curriculum

Core curriculum provides students with academics, skill building, reading practice, character and wisdom training, and knowledge of God and His Word. This complete package begins with reading development and progresses through high school, giving students a solid foundation for pursuing their life goals.

Students who are more skilled may progress at a faster rate or may accelerate in the areas of their academic strengths. Slower students are encouraged to do their best but are able to work at their levels of proficiency and proceed as they are capable.

Each core subject consists of 12 PACEs (Packet of Accelerated Christian Education) per level. Typical students work daily on one PACE in each subject and may be performing at varying levels. The diagnostic test results help to identify academic weaknesses and prescribe a path to help students catch up. Readmaster Plus is an educational software suite that enhances students’ educational experiences while challenging their learning. In order to enhance the core curriculum, A.C.E. offers a number of other program opportunities and courses beneficial to academic growth and development.

Criticism and Controversy

The ACE curriculum has faced criticism regarding its content, teaching methods, and educational outcomes.

Academic Standards and Content

Critics argue that the ACE curriculum does not meet national and state standards, such as the National Science Education Standards (NSES), because it does not support basic skills for critical thought and scientific literacy. The ACE curriculum explicitly denies evolution, human agency affecting climate, and the occurrence of climate change. Instead, it focuses on conservative Christian beliefs and values, presenting those who reject creationism as immoral.

Teaching Methods

The curriculum's emphasis on rote recall has been criticized by educational researchers. David Berliner described the teaching methods as "low-level cognitive tasks that emphasize simple association and recall activities, as is typical of instruction from workbooks… the materials make heavy use of behavioral objectives, programmed learning, and rewards." Fleming and Hunt concluded that "If parents want their children to obtain a very limited and sometimes inaccurate view of the world - one that ignores thinking above the level of rote recall - then the ACE materials do the job very well."

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Throughout the curriculum, the introduction of new vocabulary words is computer controlled so that no new vocabulary word is used without the student first learning its meaning and pronunciation. Also, these words are repeated to ensure mastery.Explanations and illustrations add excitement to each lesson, and innovative learning activities reinforce the text material.Each PACE contains several Checkups, which are quizzes covering a section of the PACE. If mastery in an area is not achieved, the Checkup will reveal that weak area. Students can then take the time necessary to review and learn those concepts before proceeding to the next section.Upon completion of the activities and Checkups, students prepare to take the Self Test. Here students evaluate themselves, and a supervisor/tutor determines readiness for the final PACE Test. When the Self Test is successfully completed, the student turns in the PACE and takes the PACE Test the next school morning.

Social and Ethical Concerns

The ACE curriculum has been accused of promoting racist stereotypes. Science is presented through the framework of Young Earth Creationism (YEC). Textbooks assert that abortion is wrong, evolution is false, and homosexuality is a choice.

Educational Outcomes

Research into the International Certificate of Christian Education, the school-leaving qualification provided by ACE in the UK, claimed that it failed to prepare students for university-level education. A 2005 thesis comparing American College Test (ACT) scores between public school students and ACE students found that "a significant difference was found between the public school graduates' scores and the ACE graduates' scores in all areas of the ACT (English, Math, Reading, and Composite Score), except the area of Science Reasoning. Overall, the ACT scores of the ACE graduates were consistently lower than those of the public school students."

Program Implementation

The ACE program is intended for homeschooling and private establishments, providing instruction and structure for operating a "Christian school." ACE offers annual one-day training sessions called Christian Educators' Conventions (CEC) for administrators, supervisors, and monitors, as well as week-long sessions for additional training.

Schools using the ACE curriculum may participate in Regional Student Conventions, with top participants proceeding to the International Student Convention. These conventions are held at university campuses and include "Events of the Heart" for students with disabilities.

Global Reach and Impact

As of January 2017, there were 26 schools using the ACE curriculum registered in the United Kingdom. ACE schools operate globally, with over 6,000 schools emphasizing the program's success. The All Africa Student Convention takes place annually in South Africa.

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