The purpose of this study was to determine changes in the
status of environmental education (EE) programs at the state-level between
1995 and 1998. A baseline
study
was conducted in 1995 (Kirk, Wilke and Ruskey, 1996) that tracked the extent
to which the 50 states had achieved the components
that comprise a comprehensive state-level EE program (Ruskey & Wilke,
1994). In 1995 there were a total
of 263 components in place in the 50 states.
By 1998 this had increased by 71 components to a total of 334.
Also, 215 new initiatives were reported due to an additional seven
component areas identified in 1997 and added to the 1998 survey.
A total of 173 state EE leaders responded to the 1998 survey.
More information can be found in the article "A Survey of the Status of
State-Level Environmental Education in the United States - 1998 Update"
in the next issue of the Journal of Environmental Education.
This
article discusses the methodology involved in the 1998 study,
analyzes
the comparative and new data, and describes the implications for future
efforts in EE capacity building.
Methodology:
The updated version
of this survey was mailed out in October 1998 to 295 individuals across the United States
who have connections to state-level EE. These EE leaders hold 6 different positions
in each state. The 6 leaders selected were 1) the president of the state EE
association, 2) the EE specialist or person with EE responsibilities in the state’s
department of education, 3) the EE specialist or person with EE responsibilities in the
state’s department of natural resources (or most similar agency), 4) the Project WILD
coordinator, 5) the Project WET coordinator, and 6) the Project Learning Tree coordinator.
In a few cases, additional individuals who were known to posses a strong
knowledge of the status of EE in their states, were called to gather additional
information on the responses in question. By May 1999, 80 surveys were returned with
over 173 (over 60%) individuals responding and all 50 states represented.
Results:
Key Components:
| MP=
state EE master plan |
EEB= state EE board or advisory council |
|
B/R= K-12 EE instruction requirements |
EEO= state EE office |
|
I= coordinated teacher in-service |
EEC= state-level EE centers/regional offices |
|
PS= required EE training for teacher certification or licensing |
IAC= state interagency committee |
|
CG= state EE curriculum guide |
EEA= state EE association |
|
O/O= EE learning objectives/outcomes |
CN= computerized networking system for EE materials & services |
|
GP= state-supported EE grants program |
FS= funding sources for EE |
|
AS= state assessment that includes EE |
TF= EE trust fund |
New Comprehensive EE Components
Survey by the National EE Advancement
Project, 1999
