State Education & Environment Roundtable

Copyright © 1997-2012 The "EIC Model™" and "using the Environment as an Integrating Context for learning (EIC Model™)" Download a SEER Brochure: SEER Brochure		The EIC Model™ using the Environment as an Integrating Context for improving student learning
		-------------------------------------------- The EIC Model™ interconnects "best practices" in education into an instructional tapestry that improves student achievement by using local natural and community surroundings as a context for learning. The EIC Model™ is a system of educational practices, developed and copyrighted by SEER.
		For a more detailed information about: • The EIC Model™ • SEER's National EIC Model™ School Network • Professional Development in The EIC Model™ • EIC Evaluation Protocols
		“I can't tell you what a pleasure it was to be a part of such a meaningful professional growth opportunity. EIC truly provided the framework for the most effective teaching/learning of my career. You have my support and my appreciation.” Ruth Pinson, 4^th-grade teacher Armuchee Elementary School, Georgia
Recent Successes SEER recently completed the development of the EEI Curriculum on behalf of the State of California. “Special thanks for their leadership in designing and developing the EEI curriculum,” California Environmental Protection Agency. This innovative standards-based curriculum was recently completed and approved by California's State Board of Education. The EEI Curriculum is now being disseminated to K-12 classrooms throughout California. The EEI Curriculum is available for downloading at www.californiaeei.org. A catalog of all EEI units can be viewed at: EEI Catalog
SEER was founded as a cooperative endeavor of 16 state departments of education. SEER works to enhance student achievement, improve K-12 instructional practices and help schools achieve their improvement goals by implementing the EIC Model™. SEER's staff:
conducts institutes for K-12 educators interested in learning how to implement the EIC Model™ provides technical support for schools implementing the EIC Model™ operates a national demonstration network of EIC Model™ schools investigates the academic and behavioral efficacy of environment-based education carries out program evaluations related to school improvement activities, and provides technical support to state education agencies, resources management agencies and non-profit education organizations.
All of SEER's work is focused on promoting and supporting “Environment-based education” (EBE). SEER defines EBE as a framework for instruction that focuses on standards-based educational results by using the environment and related issues as a context for instruction. EBE has at its core three major goals: helping students achieve success with academic content standards; developing their understanding of interactions between natural and human social systems; and preparing students to be active members of a civil society with the skills they need to identify and resolve environmental issues. EBE is designed to help students become proficient with state and school district standards, including the Common Core State Standards. It is designed to function as an integral part of a school’s standards-based academic program and can be used to teach English-language arts, math, science, and history-social science, as well as incorporate other disciplines, such as technology, art, and music. EBE is not a separate topic with its own discrete academic content.
Education Commission of the States recognizes SEER's EIC Model in their catalog of "Programs & Practices... show(ing) the diversity of approaches schools are using to accomplish comprehensive reform. "	National Environmental Education and Training Foundation gave SEER a Special Recognition Achievement Award for "bringing environmental learning into the mainstream of American K-12 education."
Dr. Gerald Lieberman Director gerald at seer.org Brief Biography and Photo
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State Education and Environment Roundtable 13648 Jackrabbit Road Poway, California 92064 Telephone: (858) 676-0272 Fax: (508) 462-8331
Founding Sponsor The Pew Charitable Trusts Copyright © 1997-2012. All rights reserved. Legal terms for use of this information.
Last update 5/31/2012