How Do Sustainable Schools Integrate Sustainability Education? An Assessment of Certified Sustainable K–12 Schools in the United States

Abstract

We provide an overview of research in sustainability education. We argue that the interconnectedness of environmental sustainability programs at K–12 schools is one metric by which sustainability education can be conceptualized. We present a new measure of whole-school sustainability, or “interconnectedness,” and then use it to compare U.S. Department of Education Green Ribbon Schools. In total, we compare 59 different schools, with a total of 289 sustainability projects. Finally, we provide an analysis of differences between schools that are certified as sustainable. Using the results from our cross-school comparison, we provide recommendations and strategies that appear to promote interconnectedness or whole-school sustainability.

Keywords:

• certification, Green Ribbon School program, sustainability education, interconnectedness, policy assessment, solutions-based learning, U.S. Department of Education