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)

Environmental education has often blurred the distinction between ecological science and environmental advocacy. Growing public awareness of environmental problems and desire for action may be contributing to this blurring. There is a need to clarify the distinction between the role of ecological science and the role of social and political values for the environment within environmental education. This book addresses this need by examining the changing perspectives of ecology in education and the changing perspectives of education in environmental education. Guidelines are provided for assessing the science and education perspectives within environmental education, along with suggested frameworks for development of programs and resources that integrate current science, education and action. This book will be of interest to environmental educators, ecologists interested in environmental education, and curriculum and resource developers.

Pursuing environmental education certification is difficult, so why do it? What does it mean to be certified? Who benefits? How? These are just a few of the compelling questions addressed in "EE Certification: Making Best Practice Standard Practice," a new article exploring advancements and challenges in state and national EE certification. A growing trend in almost every profession, certification offers a way to assure that professionals in the field meet certain minimum standards and experience. It provides legitimacy for the individual and for the field. Several states, supported by the North American Association for Environmental Education, have thus far established certification programs based on NAAEE's Guidelines for the Preparation and Professional Development of Environmental Educators. The approaches within the four states vary widely, with different methods for demonstrating competency in required areas: environmental literacy, history, professional requirements, planning and implementation, and assessment and evaluation. Even seasoned professionals are seeking certification and finding the process valuable. Says Cheryl Stanco, Project Learning Tree Co-Coordinator at the Texas Forestry Association, "I've been [in the field] for 19 years. When you get to the level I've reached, it's easy to get stagnant. ... [Certification] has boosted me out of my complacency."