A Case Study on Attitudinal Changes of Teachers at an Environmental Charter School
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Date
2004-05Author
Jacobs, Emily K.
Publisher
University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point, College of Natural Resources
Metadata
Show full item recordAbstract
Since 1991 when the first charter school legislation was passed, charters have
been opening across the country. In Wisconsin the first charter school began in 1993;
at present, 13 8 charters exist. During the last ten years, significant research has been
done involving students and accountability at charter school facilities. Further studies
have been conducted looking at the environment and its role in education. In
addition, recent research indicates that students learn more effectively when learning
takes place within an environmentally based context. They perform better in reading,
writing, math, science and social studies (Lieberman and Hoody, 1998).
Research also demonstrates that students and their learning changes through the
charter school process, yet little is known about the changes that take place within the
staff at these facilities, thereby creating the need for this study. This research focused
on the teachers and administration at the Jackson Environmental Discovery Center
(JEDC), an environmentally based charter school in Stevens Point, Wisconsin.
Qualitative research methodology known as participant observation was used and
data was collected from a variety of sources including meetings, discussions, surveys,
interviews and evaluations throughout the year and half study period. This data was
coded into five major study themes including the development of the teacher as a
professional, the development of the curriculum, teacher empowerment and
ownership, the importance of support and involvement from external sources and
perceptual changes-barriers and concerns. This study has implications not only in
charter school development but also to the field of environmental education, as it
demonstrated what happened to school personnel (primarily teachers) as they
underwent the change from a traditional public school to an environmentally focused
charter facility.