CS2P Objectives
1. Enhance and ground the teaching of core subjects through use of the PLT curriculum in and outside the classroom.
2. Strengthen teacher knowledge and skills to teach science through sustained training and modeling of best practices.
3. Increase student academic achievement by involving students in the study of their local environment and community service projects.
4. Build stronger connections between a school and the people and places in the community by engaging community members in delivering a high quality curriculum.
5. Help students and community members to develop a sense of stewardship for their local forests and other natural resources through an environment-based curriculum and service learning.
Connecting Schools to People and Place
The Phase 1 Evaluation (completed July 2004) explored the effectiveness of strategies employed by NHPLT staff, including input of resources by NHPLT staff, monthly grade-level planning meetings, and regular school visits by NHPLT staff. This evaluation also made preliminary inquiries into changes in teacher practice. Findings were used by NHPLT staff to review program strengths and weaknesses, and to enhance program implementation in year 3. To view the Phase 1 evaluation report, please click here.
The Phase 2 Evaluation (completed August 2005) focused on program outcomes, seeking to address whether goals and objectives set at the onset of the project were attained. The evaluation looked at such outcomes as changes in teacher practice, teachers knowledge about natural science, and changes in teachers' value of using the out-of-doors as an extension of the classroom, as well as student and community outcomes. To view the Phase 2 evaluation report, please click here.
For more information about CS2P, please contact Erin at info@nhplt.org.
A national movement is building for schools to focus their reform initiatives around the environment. Results of this approach show that using the environment as an integrating context positively affects academic achievement, classroom behavior, and instructional practices.
In New Hampshire, much of the emphasis for meeting reform goals is on professional development strategies for teachers. Connecting Schools to People and Place (CS2P) is designed as a model school improvement program, based on the environment and focused on sustained and intensive professional development. In January 2003, NH Project Learning Tree launched CS2P with Woodsville Elementary School.
