An Evaluation of the Regional Environmental Education Program Middle School and High School Curriculum

An evaluation of the Regional Environmental Education Program (REEP) developed by the Schuylkill Center for Environmental Education (SCEE) to promote awareness of environmental issues among schoolchildren. An analysis of data from the 1995-1996 school year revealed that students learning the REEP curriculum showed significant gains from pretest to posttest. The students also enjoyed REEP, which was able to help them make connections between science and their own lives in a wide range of contexts. At the same time, however, equity issues arose and affected implementation of REEP, raising challenges for teachers at poorer, often urban schools. The authors recommend that SCEE provide greater support and resources for teachers at these schools to ensure that REEP is used as effectively as possible.