Presenters:

1
Environmental and Sustainability Education Survey
Report
EEAW 2008 Annual ConferenceNovember 13,
2008 Wenatchee, WA
Presenters Gilda Wheeler, Office of
Superintendent of Public Instruction, Education
for Environment and SustainabilityColleen
Uuereb, MPA Program, Evergreen State University
2
Background Purpose

• Developed by OSPI and EEAW
• Determine if and how EE and EfS is being taught
  in WA State k-12 schools
• Determine what green/sustainability activities
  take place on school campuses
• Determine if and how outdoor education is being
  used in K-12 schools

3
Methodology

• Online Survey
• May June 2008
• Sent to all districts in WA listservs
• Analyzed using SPSS

4
Respondents/Demographics

• 1323 teachers
• Over 500 schools
• 170 districts
• 9 (all) ESDs
• 92 from public schools

5
EducationalService Districts
ESD Legend 101 - Spokane 105 - Yakima 112 -
Vancouver 113 - Olympia 114 - Olympic 121 - Puget
Sound 123 - Pasco 171 - North Central 189 -
Northwest
6
ESDs of Respondents
7
Defined EE

• ..a learning process that increases knowledge
  and awareness about the environment and
  associated challenges develops the necessary
  skills and expertise to address these challenges
  and fosters attitudes, motivations, and
  commitments to make informed decisions and take
  responsible action. It can include three
  dimensions education about the environment, for
  the environment, and in the environment.

8
Defined EfS
a learning process that develops a responsible
citizenry capable of applying knowledge of
interconnected ecological, economic, and
socio-cultural systems to meet current and future
needs and how personal and collective actions
affect the sustainability of local and global
systems.
9
Teach EE and/or EfS
10
Subject Areas
11
Grade Level
12
Topics/Issues Taught
13
Teaching Context
14
Resources

• Textbooks/Curriculum
• Websites/Videos
• Community Resources

15
How Students Benefit
16
Benefits Correlatedwith Teaching Context
17
Obstacles Lacking
18
Campus SustainabilityActivities
19
Outdoor Opportunities
20
General Comments

• The majority (approximately 140) commented in
  favor of EE and EfS
• Less than 10 voiced opposition to teaching EE and
  EfS
• Several comments focused on obstacles such as the
  current focus on high-stakes testing

21
Recommendations

• Random Sampling
• Private and Tribal Schools
• Curriculum Integration
• Update EE Guidelines
• EE and EfS Teaching Resources
• Project-based Learning and Culminating Projects
• EE Partnership and NCLI Grant Program
• Teacher Preparation (Standard V.3.D)
• Teacher Endorsement

22
So What?

• Surprising?
• Whats missing?
• How would you use?

23
Contact UsGilda.Wheeler_at_k12.wa.uscuuereb_at_
gmail.comdownload survey report
www.k12.wa.us/curriculumInstruct/EnvironmentSusta
inability