The Arlington Environment
A quarterly publication of Arlingtonians for a Clean Environment
Summer 1998 edition

Now comes new information that environmental education can actually improve student performance. A study of 40 schools from across the country by the State Education and Environment Roundtable documents the impact of what they call Environment as an Integrating Context for learning (EIC), a framework for interdisciplinary, collaborative, student-centered, hands-on, and engaged learning. EIC produced better performance on standardized measures of academic achievement in reading, writing, math, science, and social studies; reduced discipline and classroom management problems; increased engagement and enthusiasm for learning, and greater pride and ownership in accomplishments.

EIC is defined not as teaching "about" the environment, but rather teaching in it. "It has begun to transform curricula in a growing number of schools across the United States and may have the potential to contribute significantly to the transformation of K-12 education in America," says the report.