This report summarises the findings from the Environmental Education in New Zealand Schools research project, undertaken for the Ministry of Education by the New Zealand Council for Educational Research and the University of Waikato between June 2002 and June 2003.
The research included three components: a literature review, a critical stocktake (survey) of nearly 200 schools involved in environmental education, and case studies of environmental education practices in eight schools and kura kaupapa Māori.
The research findings are reported in four volumes. This report (Volume 1) describes the overall research project, summarises the findings from each of the research components, and responds to the research questions. Volume 1 also highlights implications of the research for future policy, resourcing, practice, and research in environmental education in New Zealand schools. Volume 2 is the full report from the literature review, Volume 3 is the full report from the critical stocktake, and Volume 4 is the full report from the eight case studies.
Purpose
The purposes of the research were to analyse environmental education practice in New Zealand schools to identify strengths and opportunities for future school practice, and to provide direction for the Ministry of Education and Government with respect to future initiatives in the planning, implementation and evaluation of environmental education in New Zealand schools.