CREEC Network

High Quality

 Yes  No Does it advocate a specific point of view (political, economic, religious, etc.)? The material should stick to the issues of the environment and responsibility. It should NOT be taught with one position in mind. Example of an inappropriate point of view: “All old growth forests should be preserved.” Or “Clear cutting is done to allow new growth on the forest floor.”

 Yes  No Does it contain blatant advertising for the sale of (or profit of) the sponsor or developer? Does the material look more like an advertisement than education? It should not contain information that would increase the sponsor/developer’s profit or market share. Example of an acceptable listing: “This project is sponsored by _______________?”

 Yes  No Does it use fear (doom and gloom), guilt or blaming to motivate? The material may use some negative data to back up its information, but may NOT use it as a way to motivate for action. Example of using fear to motivate: “Save the rainforests because hundreds of species die each day!” or “If you don’t stay out of the sun, you will get skin cancer!” or “It is your (or your parents) fault that this is a problem!”

 Yes  No Does it contain biased, unsubstantiated or factually inaccurate information? The material should be fair and accurate in describing conditions, problems and issues. Example of a biased point of view: “Technology will solve our food shortage.” Or “Eating hamburgers destroys the rainforest.”

 Yes  No Does it attack or degrade an individual or organization/agency? The environmental education material should NOT state an opinion that is harmful to another individual, organization/agency. Example of an inappropriate statement. “Bureau of Land Management stands for Bureau of Lumber and Mining.” Or “Environmentalists are anti-people!”

 Yes  No Does it contain concepts, language, or activities that are targeted for school-age students, but not age (developmentally) appropriate? The material should contain concepts and activities that can be easily understood and carried out by the appropriate age/grade levels. Example of an inappropriate activity: Memorization of the water cycle at the high school level, or having primary grade students conduct an environmental survey in an airport.

 Yes  No Does it suggest activities or goals that are beyond the capability of students (e.g. knowledge, skill, maturity) to complete and have measurable success? The material should not assume that any student is capable of taking actions beyond their abilities. Example of an inappropriate goal: “Save the Earth!”

If you answered YES to any of the above category questions, we can NOT include the resource as part of the CREEC Network. The California Department of Education cannot promote material that is inaccurate, unbalanced, one sided, uses guilt to motivate, and does not use age appropriate teaching methods. We cannot advocate one point of view or advertise a business. We do not coerce or manipulate students. We educate. Any materials that do otherwise can not be used or included in the CREEC Network.

However, if your organization meets this criteria, we invite you to join our network and include your program resources to our statewide searchable directory! You can do this on your computer in 10 minutes by going to Add Your Resource and filling out the boxes describing your organization. Your information is automatically forwarded to the CREEC Network Coordinators who review the information for accuracy before including it on the statewide searchable directory. Please join us as we continue to build a communication network to provide teachers with a comprehensive, accurate, and well-balanced offering of environmental education offerings!

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