Sustainability sidelined: A study of Education for Sustainability (EfS) policy implementation in Australian schools

Melissa Barnes, Sylvia Christine Almeida, Deborah Moore

    Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference PaperResearchpeer-review

    Abstract

    In light of recent Australian policy and curriculum initiatives aimed to prioritise Education for Sustainability (EfS) practices, this study evaluates the Australian Capital Territory Education Directorate’s smart meter website, which aims to provide teachers and students from 86 primary and secondary schools access to data on energy, gas and water consumption. While sustainability, or Education for Sustainability, has been ‘prioritised’ as a cross-curriculum aim in the Australian curriculum, it has been sidelined, lost in the storm of Literacy and Numeracy outcomes and testing. With no accountability, assessment, or a specific curriculum of its own, the priority of EfS becomes tokenistic. This study seeks to explore the voices of the teachers and school leaders and the systems that influence their practices.
    Original languageEnglish
    Title of host publicationAERA Online Paper Repository
    EditorsAngela E. Arzubiaga, James Earl Davis
    Place of PublicationWashington DC USA
    PublisherAmerican Educational Research Association (AERA)
    Number of pages17
    DOIs
    Publication statusPublished - 2017
    EventAmerican Educational Research Association Annual Meeting 2017: Knowledge to Action: Achieving the Promise of Equal Educational Opportunity - Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center, San Antonio, United States of America
    Duration: 27 Apr 20171 May 2017
    https://www.aera.net/Events-Meetings/Annual-Meeting/2017-Annual-Meeting-Program

    Conference

    ConferenceAmerican Educational Research Association Annual Meeting 2017
    Abbreviated titleAERA 2017
    Country/TerritoryUnited States of America
    CitySan Antonio
    Period27/04/171/05/17
    Internet address

    Keywords

    • environmental education
    • Evaluation
    • Policy
    • professional development

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