A New Role for American Education.

Overview & Synopsis

The role of education in developing man-environment relationships is portrayed in this essay by the Office of Education (OE). Environmental/Ecological Education (EEE) is defined as the way to increase an individual's awareness, appreciation, understanding, motivation for action, and skills necessary to maintain his world and enjoy life. Further, for American education to be successful in this regard, it must formulate a strategy that is addressed to the individual in his own environment. Within this context, an EEE continuum is described, elaborating a range of teaching-learning activities at various levels of education. Included are: (1) formal and nonformal programs of environmental education, (2) training programs for educational personnel, manpower development, and professional education, and (3) assessment activities to determine priorities and assist in planning environmental education programs. In developing an educational response to the problem, OE advocates state plans for EEE, together with action-oriented curricula developed by individual school systems, coordination of community environmental action programs, and creation of state councils for environmental education. The regional and national roles of OE in supporting local programs are also presented. To show how OE plans to promote the EEE effort, activities planned by the Office during 1970 are outlined. (BL)