AB 1330 Research Study
The Effects of Outdoor Education Programs for Children
in California
The American Institutes for Research (AIR) conducted an evaluation
to measure the impacts of week-long residential outdoor education programs
for at-risk
sixth graders in California as called for by California Assembly Bill (AB)
1330, Chapter
663.
This study focused on 255 sixth-grade students from four elementary schools
who attended three outdoor education programs (Tulare County, Los Angeles County,
and San Diego County) between September and November of 2004. Highlights of
the
findings of the study are listed:
- Children who attended outdoor school significantly raised their
science scores by 27 percent as measured by a pre- and post survey administered
upon
their return
to school
- The increase in science knowledge was maintained six to ten
weeks following program participation.
- Six to ten weeks after the experience
at the outdoor school, children who attended the program showed gains in
cooperation and conflict resolution
that were significantly
higher than the control group.
- According to teacher ratings of each student,
those children who attended outdoor science school showed statistically significantly
positive gains
on all eight
constructs on which they were rated. In contrast, the control group showed
losses on seven of the eight constructs. These gains were observed in self-esteem,
conflict
resolution, relationship with peers, problem solving, motivation to learn,
and behavior in class.
- According to parent reports, students who participated
in the program had significantly larger gains in environmental behaviors,
compared to
children who did not attend
the program.
- 58 percent of the students studied were identified by teachers
as English Learner (EL) students. According to teacher reports, among those
students
who attended
the program, EL students demonstrated gains in cooperation, leadership,
relationship with peers, and motivation to learn that were significantly larger
than the
gains shown by non-EL students for those constructs.
- 56 percent of the treatment
group reported that the outdoor school represented the first time they
had spent time in a natural setting.
Complete study is
available through the California Department of Education (CDE) Environmental
Education Program by calling 916-322-9503.
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Study Design
Complete Final Report (PDF - 200K)
Appendices of Final Report (PDF 1MB)