Trend of Environmental Education in Canadian Pre-Service Teacher Education Programs from 1979 to 1996

Abstract

Despite being recognized as a major priority for research and action in many major international conferences, environmental education (EE) research in pre-service programs has been given little attention in Canada. The only systematic national evaluation of EE at the teacher preparation level in Canada was conducted by John Towler (1980-81), nearly 20 years ago. A national survey using a modified version of Towler's questionnaire was distributed to all pre-service teacher training institutions across the Canadian provinces to determine the current status of EE which pre-service teachers receive in their preparation programs. The survey findings revealed that, for nearly two decades, the number of Canadian teacher preparation institutions offering EE courses to pre-service teachers has remained generally low and the level of priority granted nominal.