Energy Education As We Leave It. Final Report.

Overview & Synopsis

Since 1978, the Education Commission of the States has worked closely with the U.S. Department of Energy to: collect/disseminate information regarding federal, state, and local energy education/conservation activities; assist states in developing/implementing both energy education and school energy management policies and programs; and better prepare state education officials to deal effectively with energy supply disruptions and/or significant price escalations. Rather than list and evaluate completed activities, this final report focuses on the current status of energy as a topic of public interest and of educational interest in the states. A general portrayal of state-level involvement in energy education, state-specific characteristics of the seven pilot states which have worked most closely with the project (Colorado, Florida, Idaho, Illinois, Massachusetts, Nebraska, and Ohio), and a few comments regarding inter-regional differences in the way states have dealt with energy education are included. conclusions reported are those indicating: cuts in most state energy education programs; existence of state energy offices in all states but under a variety of administrative arrangements; and infusion of energy topics by energy education advocates into basic subject areas. (JN)