NPEEE Guidelines for Excellence

The National Project for Excellence in Environmental Education, initiated by the North American Association for Environmental Education (NAAEE) in 1993, is attempting to answer that question. Environmental education is a process that aims to develop an environmentally literate citizenry that can compete in our global economy; has the skills, knowledge, and inclinations to make well-informed choices; and exercises the rights and responsibilities of members of a community.

Through the National Project for Excellence in Environmental Education, NAAEE is taking the lead in establishing guidelines for the development of balanced, scientifically accurate, and comprehensive environmental education programs. Quality environmental education programs facilitate the teaching of science, civics, social studies, mathematics, geography, language arts, etc. These guidelines will help educators develop meaningful environmental education programs that integrate across and build upon the high standards set by the core disciplines.

The National Project for Excellence in Environmental Education is a multi-year program designed to identify and provide examples of high quality environmental education practice. The NPEEE materials posted on the NAAEE website are copies of the latest versions of the printed materials. Publication Information can be found on the NAAEE Publications page. The Project has completed the following interrelated efforts:

1. publication of Environmental Education Materials: Guidelines for Excellence; and its companion publication:
Environmental Education Materials: Guidelines for Excellence - The Workbook (HTML and PDF versions are available) which leads educators, step by step, through the process of using the Environmental Education Materials: Guidelines for Excellence.

2. creation of a series of educators' resource guides to quality environmental education materials:
The Environmental Education Collection - A Review of Resources for Educators:

The Biodiversity Collection (produced by the World Wildlife Fund)

3. development of environmental education learner guidelines – Excellence in EE – Guidelines for Learning (Pre K-12), and its companion piece, the Guidelines for Learning (Pre K-12) – Executive Summary & Self Assessment Tool.

4. development of a set of recommendations for the preparation and continuing education of teachers and other environmental educators – Guidelines for the Preparation and Professional Development of Environmental Educators

5. development of training materials for individuals who have completed a Guidelines workshop.

6. development of recommendations for the design and implementation of comprehensive nonformal environmental education programs - Nonformal Environmental Education Programs: Guidelines for Excellence.

The National Project for Excellence in Environmental Education is being funded by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency through the Environmental Education and Training Partnership (EETAP) — plus the National Environmental Education and Training Foundation, the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, Northern Illinois University, and World Wildlife Fund. For more information, please contact:

Bora Simmons
Northern Illinois University
Department of Teacher and Learning
DeKalb, Illinois 60115 USA