Bora Simmons National Project for Excellence in EE Yash
Bhagwanji Florida Atlantic University Pilar Tucker Faith Lutheran
School
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U.S. EPA Office of Environmental Education EECapacity EPA
funded national EE training program housed in Cornell Universitys
Civic Ecology Lab
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U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service U.S. Forest Service National
Environmental Education Foundation State EE Associations such as
LEEF Organizational partners such as Project Learning Tree, Arbor
Day Foundation, Project WILD, Keep America Beautiful, Project
WET
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Developed Guidelines through a public participatory process
Engaging educators in a deep discussion about quality environmental
education practice Building EE as a profession
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Recommendations for developing & implementing high quality
early childhood EE programs Birth to 8 year olds, focus on ages 3
to 6 Developed through a broad- based comment process
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Guidelines Indicators Boxes with Examples References
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1.1 Focus on nature & the environment 1.2 Focus on
education of young children 1.3 Culturally appropriate goals,
objectives, & practices
Designed for all center-based programs serving young children
Public and private child development centers Nature preschools
Environmental education centers Builds upon the six key
characteristics of ECEE guidelines for excellence A rating is
determined for each indicator through consensus; priorities are
determined for improvement Team identification, development, and
maintenance
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Implementation Stage and Rating Score: Description: Not
implemented: Rating Score of 1 No discussions have been had about
this practice. Not implemented: Rating Score of 2 Discussions have
been initiated, but there has been no impact on the practice.
Partially implemented: Rating Score of 3 There is recognition of
the importance of the practice; changes are being discussed and are
starting to be implemented. Partially implemented: Rating Score of
4 There is recognition of the importance of the practice; changes
are being made but it is not widespread. Partially implemented:
Rating Score of 5 The practice is widespread, although there may be
gaps or issues that need to be resolved. Fully implemented: Rating
Score of 6 The practice is widespread and has been in place for
less than a year. Fully implemented: Rating Score of 7 The practice
is widespread and has been in place for a year or more.
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Program profile provides a process for determining the average
score for each key characteristic; identification of strengths,
areas needing improvement, and determination of priorities Program
action plan provides a process for identifying concrete outcomes,
action steps, responsibilities, resources/supports needed, and
timelines
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48 subject matter experts contributed suggestions and
recommendations for improvement during the validation phase 12
centers (child development, nature-based preschool, public and
private), 2 family day care centers, and 3 environmental education
centers served as reliability study sites Internal consistency
ranged between.80 and.86 for all six key characteristics for exact
agreements Internal consistency ranged between.85 and.91 for all
six key characteristics for within-1 agreements
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rewrite school philosophy Provide field trip experiences in
environmental education professional development for staff on
environmental education Purchase books and materials for nature
exploration provide experiences relevant to childrens environment
through learning themes Faith Lutherans Action Plan
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Photographs of the natural environment Nature walk collections
for classroom posters from a childs point of view Provided natural
items to investigate and experience