EE Certification: Making Best Practice Standard Practice (2006)

Abstract

Pursuing environmental education certification is difficult, so why do it? What does it mean to be certified? Who benefits? How? These are just a few of the compelling questions addressed in “EE Certification: Making Best Practice Standard Practice,” a new article exploring advancements and challenges in state and national EE certification.

A growing trend in almost every profession, certification offers a way to assure that professionals in the field meet certain minimum standards and experience. It provides legitimacy for the individual and for the field.

Several states, supported by the North American Association for Environmental Education, have thus far established certification programs based on NAAEE’s Guidelines for the Preparation and Professional Development of Environmental Educators. The approaches within the four states vary widely, with different methods for demonstrating competency in required areas: environmental literacy, history, professional requirements, planning and implementation, and assessment and evaluation.

Even seasoned professionals are seeking certification and finding the process valuable. Says Cheryl Stanco, Project Learning Tree Co-Coordinator at the Texas Forestry Association, “I’ve been [in the field] for 19 years. When you get to the level I’ve reached, it’s easy to get stagnant. … [Certification] has boosted me out of my complacency.”

Read the complete article to find learn more about certification programs in the United States and how such programs are likely to impact the professional practice of environmental educators.

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