Environmental Education in Colorado Springs Schools

By Samantha Less

What is environmental education?

A learning process that increases awareness and knowledge of

environmental issues develops skills and expertise to address the

challenges fosters attitudes, motivations, commitments to make

responsible decisions and take action• Taken from The Tbilisi Declaration, UNESCO 1978

Background

North American Association for Environmental Education formed in 1971

First EE conference held in 1975National Science Education Standards published

in 1996NAAEE K-12 Guidelines for Learning published

in 1999

What are some barriers to the improvement of environmental education in Colorado Springs schools?

A) Lack of communication

Between classroomsBetween teachers and administrationBetween schoolsBetween districtsBetween the state and the districts

B) Lack of environmental elements in state science standards

Knowledge of environmental issues isn’t tested on the Colorado Student Assessment Program

Hard to fit environmental ed into “teach to test” curriculum

Costly process of applying for standards waiversColorado State Department of Education has the

final word on standards

C) Teachers who aren’t trained to teach local issues

New science teachers to the Colorado Springs area

Not enough teacher education programs and resources

D) Students not gaining basic skills necessary to take action

Skills needed in taking responsible action is crucial to EE

E) Lack of funding

Leads to less resources (like equipment and books)

Reduced field trips or none at allFewer teachers hired

The Proposal:

A plan of action to overcome barriers to environmental education

A) Creation of the “Sustainability Education Task Force”

Purpose: To open up communication About 15 interested educators to form the core

task force “Environmental Education” liaisons appointed

from each school and school district then convene as a whole with the task force and come to a consensus on the solutions

B) Task force members assess needs and evaluate solutions to improving EE in the Springs

Possible solutions alone or in any combination may include, but are

not limited to:

1) Establishment of tested state environmental standards

Cons: Can’t test “appreciation of nature” there is still a “teach to test” curriculum

Pros: Students are exposed to environmental concepts Class time is justified

Involve lobbying of state representatives to convince State Ed Dept.

2) Creation of “Colorado Springs’ Environmental Story”

A teacher resource book devoted to local sustainability issues in CS including the student’s home and school

Includes fun, interpretive, community-oriented activities for students

A shared vision for sustainability in Colorado Springs

• Modeled after “Albuquerque’s Environmental Story”

3) Make resource book mandatory in curriculum, remove standards test

Motivates students and teachers because the resource book pertains to their immediate surroundings whereas state standards test doesn’t

No more “teach to test”

Conclusion

Benefits of this proposal:

A coordinated effort of Colorado Springs educators towards sustainability education in K-12 public schools

Future generations of environmentally literate Colorado Springs voters

Acknowledgments

Sharon Hall and Steve HarrisJulie FrancisLee Durr, Mark Opincariu, Mark Schultz, Rose

Dicenso, Karen TejaMy fellow EV 421 classmates