ERIC Number: EJ1024446
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2013
Pages: 19
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-0095-8964
EISSN: N/A
Available Date: N/A
Garden-Based Learning: An Experience with "At Risk" Secondary Education Students
Ruiz-Gallardo, José-Reyes; Verde, Alonso; Valdés, Arturo
Journal of Environmental Education, v44 n4 p252-270 2013
The reengagement of disenchanted secondary students is one of the priorities of the educational system. Over a six-year period (2003-2004 to 2008-2009), 63 disruptive and low-performance secondary school students were integrated into a two-year garden-based learning program, which took place in southeastern Spain. This article intends to assess the quantitative and qualitative changes in both academic outcomes and personal behavior brought about by the experience. Results show that school failure decreased substantially, while the dropout rate was reduced from an initial 30% to zero in some years. Disruptive episode control improved significantly in the classroom, where teachers observed a decided improvement in students' skills, self-esteem, and self-confidence.
Descriptors: At Risk Students, Foreign Countries, Gardening, Outdoor Education, Student Behavior, Academic Achievement, Dropout Rate, Behavior Problems, Self Esteem, High School Students, Teaching Methods, Environmental Education, Program Effectiveness, Academic Failure, Attitude Change, Student Attitudes, Skill Development, Mixed Methods Research
Routledge. Available from: Taylor & Francis, Ltd. 325 Chestnut Street Suite 800, Philadelphia, PA 19106. Tel: 800-354-1420; Fax: 215-625-2940; Web site: http://www.tandf.co.uk/journals
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: High Schools
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Identifiers - Location: Spain
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A
Author Affiliations: N/A