The New Mexico State Parks Division (SPD) proposed an ambitious statewide “Outdoor Classroom” initiative stemming from a 2005 study prepared by it and the NM Public Education Department (PED) entitled “Making New Mexico Schools Work Outdoors.” The initiative is supported by both agencies, especially the Rural Education Bureau and the Math and Science Bureau.

The report found enormous potential for partnerships that can improve the education of New Mexico’s children, benefit state parks, and better serve the state in general. The joint study cites recent research indicating outdoor, interactive education can increase student standardized test scores, reduce discipline problems, increase teacher job satisfaction, increase enthusiasm for learning and build resource stewardship. Another recent study, commissioned by the California State Legislature, found that at-risk children who participated in outdoor education programs raised their science test scores by 27 percent, improved their conflict resolution and problem-solving skills, and experienced better self-esteem.

Each of the 34 state parks is a potential outdoor classroom, encompassing a variety of natural and cultural resource themes, positioned for a hands-on, interdisciplinary approach. In 2005, however, only 5 percent of New Mexico’s K-12 students visited state parks as part of their school program. This situation reflects unrealized potential as 80 percent of schools are within 30 minutes of a state park.

The Outdoor Classroom program could serve the entire spectrum of school-aged children, including public, private, and home-schooled children. It could help to close the achievement gap by pairing schools with state parks and other public lands and connecting children with the outdoors and with their natural and cultural heritage.

Four pilot projects have been proposed as part of the program:

• Outdoor Education Institutes – Short teacher training institutes, develop curriculum-based programming, and build partnerships between parks and teachers.
• Teacher Resource Program – Hands-on teaching materials for children, expand the SPD Junior Ranger program, develop on-line educational programming, and augment staffing to deliver programs.
• Kids-to-Parks Grant Program – Transportation funding for outdoor education initiatives.
• Service Learning Program – Resource-related student projects at state parks.

In the 2007 NM Legislature, a bill was introduced to fund this initiative with $500,000 directed to SPD. Eventually a version was passed containing $250,000 directed to PED and this was signed by the Governor.

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