Using Environment-Based Education to Advance Learning Skills and Character Development

B. Stro n ger Skills for the Wo r k p l a ce of the Fu t u re
In 1998, the Council on Competitiveness released a report, Winning the Skills Race, which
found that the top concern of 60 percent of business leaders in America was finding skilled
workers.This was twice the number who expressed concern just four years earlier in 1995.
Although the shortage in skilled workers has diminished as the economy has slowed down,
the availability of skilled workers remains an important concern. Fast-moving technologies
continue to demand updated technical skills. Global competition has greatly intensified 
in recent years, increasing the premium for highly skilled employees.And as many employ-
ers will note, too many young people entering the workforce fall short of even minimal
skills criteria.
A 1998 survey of adults in the State of Washington found widespread support for K-12
education that would do more to prepare young people for careers. Seventy-four percent
of respondents agreed career skills necessary for the work place should be introduced to 
students before high school. Eighty-seven percent said that high schools should provide
career preparation to every student before he or she graduates. Youths surveyed separately
in Seattle in 1996 expressed similar widespread support for job-related experience con-
nected to their educations.
“ I take students to places
where they can see evi-
dence of [environmental]
problems… I am inspired
by their creativity and
persistence in finding
solutions.”
— Kathleen McLean, Teacher,
Great Falls Public School, Great
Falls, Montana

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H ow the Environment Pre p a res Students for Wo r k
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I n ve s t i g ation and issue orientat i o n
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R eal world and complex pro b l e m s
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Community pro j e cts and se r v i ce lea r n i n g
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Tea m work skills