Current Research in the fields of Experiential Education
WHITE PAPER: The evidence base for private therapeutic schools, residential programs, and wilderness therapy programs (2010, The National Association of Therapeutic Schools and Programs, NATSAP, www.natsap.org) (Click here for more ...)
Treating Juveniles in a Sex Offender Program Using Adventure-Based Programming: A Matched Group Design (2010)
Abstract: Ninety-five male juvenile sex offenders in an adventure-based behavior management program (LEGACY) were matched with
male juveniles in state treatment-as-usual and other specialized programs in the same state to determine program effectiveness (as measured by rearrest rates). (Click here for more ...)
EXPEDITIONARY LEARNING SCHOOLS PULL AHEAD ON CSAP
DENVER, CO – The 2009 Colorado Student Assessment Program (CSAP) scores, just released, demonstrate strong gains for the state’s 15 K-12 Expeditionary Learning schools (ELS). ELS students in urban, suburban, and rural communities across the state made important gains in reading, writing, math, and science. (Click here for more ...)
“Are Challenge (Ropes) Courses an Effective Tool? A Meta-Analysis” (2008)
Abstract from the authors: “ This study reports the results of a meta-analysis of 44 studies that examined the impacts of participation in challenge (ropes) course activities...” (Click here for more… )
“Ecology and Task Structures in Adventure Education” (2009)
Abstract from the authors: “Many of the characteristics of effective physical education lessons have been discovered by sport pedagogy researchers by employing what has become known as the ecological or task structures perspective. The purpose of this study was to describe the task structures and ecology that existed in two consecutive 7-day summer adventure camps…” (Click here for more… )
“Children in the Outdoors: A literature review” (2009)
This report reviews a wide range of published sources pertaining to children in the outdoors. Published by the British Sustainable Development Research Centre, the article provides and interesting European addition to the North American “No Child Left Inside” conversation… (Click here for more… )
Experiential Learning in Education (2004)
A Poll By: Signal Hill Group, Inc., Education Consultants For Junior Achievement Inc.
Summary Report (click here for more information )
The Active Outdoor Recreation Economy (2006)
What Is the Active Outdoor Recreation Economy? IT’S A $730 BILLION ANNUAL CONTRIBUTION TO THE U.S. ECONOMY (Click here for more... )
WHITE PAPTER: The evidence base for private therapeutic schools, residential programs, and wilderness therapy programs (2010, The National Association of Therapeutic Schools and Programs, NATSAP, www.natsap.org)
Authors
Ellen Behrens, Ph. D., Canyon Research & Consulting
John Santa, Ph. D., Montana Academy
Michael Gass, Ph. D., University of New Hampshire
Members of the Standing Research Committee of
The National Association of Therapeutic Schools and Programs
Conclusions
Private therapeutic schools, residential programs, and wilderness therapy programs possess a solid and growing research base. This collective body of research demonstrates that participating youth improve significantly during treatment and these improvements continue after youth return home. These findings are based on several different research programs of study: studies that were large scale, multi-center, and longitudinal, conducted by nationally recognized university researchers, and reviewed by federally recognized institutional review boards. Further research of course is needed, and encouraged, that will include a variety of control conditions aimed at refining the explanations of the powerful treatment effects that have been revealed.
Full White Paper (pdf)
Treating Juveniles in a Sex Offender Program Using Adventure-Based Programming: A Matched Group Design. (2010) Journal of Child Sexual Abuse, 19:20–34, 201. H. L. GILLIS, Georgia College & State University, Milledgeville, Georgia, USA and MICHAEL A. GASS, University of New Hampshire, Durham, New Hampshire, USA.
Abstract:
Ninety-five male juvenile sex offenders in an adventure-based behavior management program (LEGACY) were matched with male juveniles in state treatment-as-usual and other specialized programs in the same state to determine program effectiveness (as measured by rearrest rates). The LEGACY program demonstrated significant treatment effectiveness on rearrest rates when compared with youth development centers and other specialized programs two and three years later. Overall, three-year rearrest rates for the most serious reoffenses for each of the placements were as follows: 34.8% for YDC, 32.6% for OSP, and 19% for LEGACY. Full article (pdf)
Scott Hartl, President and CEO of ELS, www.elschools.org (2009). EXPEDITIONARY LEARNING SCHOOLS PULL AHEAD ON CSAP. Press Release. August 2009.
DENVER, CO – The 2009 Colorado Student Assessment Program (CSAP) scores, just released, demonstrate strong gains for the state’s 15 K-12 Expeditionary Learning schools (ELS). ELS students in urban, suburban, and rural communities across the state made important gains in reading, writing, math, and science. Data highlights include:
- The cohort of students that entered Explore Elementary School in Thornton as 4th graders in 2006 – the school’s first year – were tied for the lowest scores in the district. In 2009, these sixth graders were the highest performers in the district, achieving a 44% increase in proficiency in reading over three years, from 28% proficiency in 4th grade to 72% proficiency in 6th grade. To get a copy of this release, click HERE .
Gillis, H. L., & Speelman, E. (2008). Are Challenge (Ropes) Courses an Effective Tool? A Meta-Analysis. Journal of Experiential Education, 31(2), 111-135.
Abstract from the authors: This study reports the results of a meta-analysis of 44 studies that examined the impacts of participation in challenge (ropes) course activities. Overall, a medium standardized mean difference effect size was found (d = 0.43). Effect sizes were calculated for various study characteristics, including demographics and outcome. Higher effects were found for adult groups (d = 0.80) and for studies measuring family functioning (d = 0.67). Studies with therapeutic (d = 0.53) or developmental foci (d = 0.47) had higher effect sizes than those with educational foci (d = 0.17). Higher effect sizes for group effectiveness (d = 0.62) affirmed the use of challenge course experiences for team-building purposes. Implications for further research include the importance of recording detailed program design information, selecting appropriate instrumentation, and including follow-up data.
To get a copy of this article, click HERE.
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Zmudy, M. H., Curtner-Smith, M. D., & Steffen, J. (2009). Ecology and Task Structures in Adventure Education. Journal of Experiential Education, 31(3), 319-340.
Abstract from the authors: Many of the characteristics of effective physical education lessons have been discovered by sport pedagogy researchers by employing what has become known as the ecological or task structures perspective. The purpose of this study was to describe the task structures and ecology that existed in two consecutive 7-day summer adventure camps run by an agency outside the school setting. Participants included two novice adventure educators (AEs) and 31 elementary and middle school-aged children. Data were collected using a number of qualitative techniques and were analyzed using standard interpretive methods. Five task structure systems were identified. The instructional and managerial systems were similar to those previously found in classrooms and school physical education except that parental chaperones were used to enforce the management system. The social system was similar to those previously observed within sport education and adventure education units within school-based physical education in that it mainly served to support the instructional and managerial systems rather than compete with them as in more traditional models of teaching. The exploratory and atmospheric systems had not previously been identified, were extensions of the instructional and social systems, and appeared somewhat unique to adventure education. Implications for training AEs are discussed.
To get a copy of this article, click HERE.
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Muñoz, S.-A. (2009). Children and the Outdoors: A Literature Review. Forres, Scotland: Sustainable Development Research Centre
From the Author’s Introduction: “…This literature review examines existing research on health and the outdoors – highlighting the key ways in which researchers have, thus far, examined the links and reported causality and effects. Children have been identified as one of the key social groups that could gain health benefits from use of the outdoors – but also one that requires evidence-based policy directed towards their needs (Nilsson, 2007). Therefore, the review takes an in-depth look at the current themes within health, outdoors and children’s research and highlights how these relate to understanding the links between children’s use of outdoors spaces and health outcomes. It also highlights where there are research gaps and how these might be addressed….”
To get a copy of this article, click HERE.
Education Consultants For Junior Achievement Inc., Experiential Learning in Education, Summary Report, A Poll by Signal Hill Group, Inc., February 26, 2004
Conclusions: Based upon this particular poll, there appears to be a great deal of support from teachers for experiential learning programs in the classroom that focus on “Life Skills,” especially if they are free, involve a volunteer, or are available on the Internet. Additionally, despite recent scandals in the world of business, educators still appear to be open to introducing young people to the positive aspects of business, entrepreneurship, economics, careers, and finance.
To get a copy of this article, click HERE .
SOUTHWICK ASSOCIATES, INC. OF FERNANDINA BEACH, FLORIDA, and OUTDOOR INDUSTRY FOUNDATION (OIF), The Active Outdoor Recreation Economy, (2006).
What Is the Active Outdoor Recreation Economy? IT’S A $730 BILLION ANNUAL CONTRIBUTION TO THE U.S. ECONOMY
More than three out of every four Americans participate in active outdoor recreation each year. Americans spend money, create jobs, and support local communities when they get outdoors. Simple, healthy outdoor activities such as hiking, biking, camping, or wildlife viewing generate enormous economic power and fuel a far-reaching ripple effect that touches many of the nation’s major economic sectors.
To get a copy of this report, click HERE .
