The NAAEE Standards Project: Papers on the Development of Environmental Education Standards.

Overview & Synopsis

In spring 1994, the North American Association for Environmental Education (NAAEE) Board of Directors approved a recommendation that the Association take the lead in establishing standards for environmental education. The four working papers contained in this publication are the first step in the NAAEE Standards Project. The papers discuss the importance and need for environmental education standards, review what has been done in the past, and propose a framework of actual preparation of standards in three key areas: (1) student performance; (2) educator performance; and (3) education materials. This project will facilitate the development of a model set of national standards for environmental education. The papers are as follows: (1) "Developing National Standards for Environmental Education: Context and Scope"; (2) "Developing a Framework for National Environmental Education Standards"; (3) "Developing a Framework for National Environmental Educator Performance Standards"; and (4) "Proposed National Environmental Education Materials Development Standards." Chapter subareas include developing a framework for Standards, guidelines based on environmental education literature, and synthesis of guidelines. The paper on educator standards also addresses state-level certification or endorsement requirements. The paper on education materials covers guidelines for curriculum review as well as for materials development and use. (PVD)