Environmental Studies Program
Date of this Version
Fall 12-2012
Abstract
The purpose of this research is to help identify whether or not race plays a role in how much Environmental Education (EE) is being taught in elementary schools throughout the region. This study takes place in two rural elementary schools, less than 20 miles apart, in Northeast Nebraska; one with a mostly white population and the other mostly Native American. The researcher interviewed 7 teachers total at both schools in order to gain information about EE in the classroom and the extent to which it is being taught. Results indicated that race did not play a role in the amount of EE being offered at each school; instead, a lack of time during the school day due to continual preparation for standardized testing was the common cause of this problem.