This year the Committee on Education concentrated on three major areas of endeavor:

1 - the translation of the statement on The Philosophy of Education to behavioral objectives.

2 - the formation of suggested curricula for formal and informal study of the URANTIA teachings--to be used by societies and study groups as they will.

3 - the preparation of education workshops at the 1978 conference for all persons interested in teaching, whatever the milieu.

To accomplish the first two goals two Ad Hoc committees were formed. David and Sally Schlundt have given generously of their time and thought to the translation of the committee's philosophy of education into behavioral objectives. Their problem has been to reflect on what observable behavior one may expect from a person dedicated to doing the Father's will, and, more specifically, to the study and dissemination of the Urantia teachings. While this project has not yet been completed, the committee is hopeful of making available in the not-too-distant future, the results of its thinking.

The second Ad Hoc committee, the committee on curricula, composed of Marjorie Reed, Chuck Burton, and Barbara Newsom, has begun its work with zest. In order to determine exactly what educational activities are being pursued now in the many study groups and in the societies across the country and in other nations, a questionnaire was sent them in December of 1976. We greatly appreciate the responses to the questionnaire, which have been very interesting and most valuable to us in these efforts of ours on curricula.

In addition the Ad Hoc committee has undertaken research into URANTIA education programs of the past. Knowing where Urantians have been and where URANTIANS are at present, will help in planning for the future. In its role as facilitator, the Education Committee wishes to meet present needs and interests, while it remains ever mindful of the necessity of provision for growth.

Finally, the Committee is preparing to participate in the 1978 conference by providing two workshops: the first on the universe as one vast school, and the second on the teaching methods,approaches, etc. of Jesus during his bestowal on our planet. In preparation for these workshops, the Committee is formally consulting six other individuals from across the country; at the same time it always welcomes and is open to input from any interested party. Bearing in mind its constitutional charge "to find, prepare, and qualify teachers," the committee hopes that the workshops of the '78 conference will only be the first in a series of annual workshops for "teacher/students" of The URANTIA Book.

It has been for me a privilege and a personal pleasure to work with John Hales, Helen Carlson, David Schlundt, Marjorie Reed, and Chuck Burton this year, and I am looking forward eagerly to a fruitful relationship in the exercise of our task in the future.

Submitted by Lynne Kulieke, Chairwoman, Committee on Education