Environmental Education in Colorado Springs Schools By Samantha Less.
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Transcript of Environmental Education in Colorado Springs Schools By Samantha Less.
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