Mony, Preethi R. S.

Assessing environmental literacy in Florida's 4-H environmental education program.

Gainesville /FL

2002

M.S. Thesis University of Florida 2002

ABSTRACT: Concerns about the sustainability of our environment have resulted in a greater awareness of the need for environmental education (EE). The Belgrade Charter of 1975 defined the goal of EE as the process of developing a global population of citizens who are aware of, concerned about and willing toward the resolution of environmental problems. In 1977, the Tbilisi Declaration further clarified the goals and objectives of EE. Later, in 1997 the Thessaloniki Declaration recommended that schools should be given the encouragement and support needed to make necessary changes to their curricula to work towards a sustainable future. All this attention on EE resulted in the development of a number of different EE curricula and programs. However researchers found that while there is no dearth of EE curricula the corresponding need for evaluation and assessment has not been sufficiently met. As a result this study was an attempt to evaluate the impact of the 4-H EE program in Florida on environmental literacy levels of participants. ABSTRACT (cont.): In this study, environmental literacy was evaluated by measuring responsible environmental behavior (REB) and some of its predictors (i.e., knowledge of ecological concepts, knowledge of environmental issues, issue analysis skills, knowledge and skills in using citizenship action strategies). The Middle School Environmental Instrument (MSELI) was the survey instrument used for this purpose. The sample was comprised of 4-H students between the ages of 11 and 16. Respondents who had used EE curricula in their 4-H programs were compared with those who had not used any such curricula in their 4-H programs. The students who had used EE curricula scored significantly higher on all sections of the survey (at the alpha = 0.05 level), except on the self-reported REB section. Thus it would appear that the 4-H EE program has been partially effective in developing environmental literacy in students because it is providing them with the knowledge and skills required to act in an environmentally responsible manner, but has not been effective in changing behavior.

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

LIST OF TABLES

LIST OF FIGURES

ABSTRACT

CHAPTER

1 INTRODUCTION
Purpose of the Study
Significance of the Study
4-H Environmental Education Program
Goals and Objectives
Youth Programs
Definition of Terms
Research Questions
Research Hypotheses
Assumptions of Study
Limitations of Study

2 LITERATURE REVIEW
Environmental Literacy
Environmental Education
Goals and Objectives of Environmental Education
Theoretical Models of Environmental Education
Environmental Education Curriculum Development
Goals for Curriculum Development
Curricular Designs
Issue investigation and action model
Extended case study model
Activity guide
Research on Instructional Methods to Promote REB
Method 1: Infusion of Environmental Education into School Curricula
Method 2: Inserting a New Course into the Existing School Curriculum
Assessment in Environmental Education
Summary

3 METHODOLOGY
The Instrument
Validity and Reliability
Components of the Survey Instrument
Demographics
Part I: The issues with which I am familiar
Part II: Ecological foundations
Part III: How I feel about things and what I do about things
Part IV: An evaluation for issue analysis and action skills
Research Design
The Sample
Data Collection
Data Analysis

4 RESULTS
Demographics
Research Findings
Research Question A
Research Question B
Research Question C
Summary

5 DISCUSSION OF RESULTS
Research Findings
Hypothesis 1
Hypothesis 2
Hypothesis 3
Hypothesis 4 and 5
Hypothesis 6
Summary of Study Findings
Study Results from 1998 (Florida 4-H)
Study Results from Molokai, Hawaii
Comparison of Results
Conclusions
Implications for Future Research
Recommendations
Final Comments

APPENDIX

A MIDDLE SCHOOL ENVIRONMENTAL LITERACY INSTRUMENT

B TEACHER/LEADER INFORMATION

C INFORMATION PACKET

D PARENTAL CONSENT FORM

LIST OF REFERENCES

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH

↑ http://etd.fcla.edu/UF/UFE1001169/mony_p.pdf

17.04.2018