Barriers to Ecology Education in North American High Schools Another Alternative Perspective

Abstract

In this article, the author discusses the barriers to ecology education in North American high schools within a new perspective. The author argues that new insights to overcome the barriers could be obtained when we examine the barriers from the following viewpoints: a) educational concern among ecologists, b) ecological concern among educators and philosophers, c) the nature of ecology and how to approach it among curriculum developers and teachers, d) anthropological and archaeological knowledge in ecological education, e) teaching evolution in secondary school curriculum, f) holistic views of ecological education, g) essential characteristics necessary for an adequate ecological education, h) the place of ecology in school curriculum, and i) preparation for action in school curriculum. Finally, the study provides 10 important steps that could help improve the status of ecology education in North America. These steps fall under levels: a) the level of educational institutions, b) the level of educational theory and curriculum development, c) the level of educators, educational philosophers, and ecologists, d) the level of ecology teacher education, and e) the level of teaching.