Climate Ready Classrooms: Research Study
County-Wide Assessment
(Participating schools in North County, South County, East County, and the City Center)
1,500-2,000 Survey Responses
will be collected (Educators, Administrators, Families, and Students)
400+ Students
will receive environmental education activities for FREE as part of our case studies and giveaways (feedback gathered where appropriate).
10 San Diego County Schools
will participate in 6-month case studies (schools receive environmental education curriculum as part of their participation)
25+ San Diego Teacher Case Studies
will be conducted through FREE Book Clubs and other environmental education curriculum (case studies & raffle prizes for survey participation)
assessment of PK–5 environmental education in San Diego County
How We’re Studying Environmental Education
This study uses a countywide survey of educators, parents, and students to provide valuable metrics and feedback about the current state of environmental education in the region, and pairs it with six-month case studies in 10 elementary schools that looks at the effects of exposure, frequency, and delivery method on the retention and engagement of young children and environmental studies.
What We’re Learning Across San Diego County
The study will capture responses from North County, South County, East County, and the City Center to profile the ways in which sustainability is currently taught in classrooms and out-of-school settings, map where access is strong or thin, and answer key questions about the best delivery models for kids’ nature and climate learning.
When Results Will Be Shared and Why They Matter
The estimated release date of the inaugural results is September 2026, with updates scheduled every two years. The anticipated outcome of the completed report is a comprehensive, data-driven baseline of the current climate and sustainability learning opportunities for all elementary students in the region, and pair it with metrics, interviews, and survey input that can answer key questions to help guide funding opportunities, build and strengthen partnerships, and grow on the work already being done to provide essential environmental programs to our young people.
Timeline
Outcomes
Climate Ready Classrooms Report
(Comprehensive report and recommendations; estimated release date - Sept 2026)
Workshop/Conferences
Study findings and recommendations (Branded presentation deck to share during Webinars, Conferences, Workshops, etc)
Targeted Digital Outreach Strategy
Target survey respondents and share report findings (October 2025 - September 2026)
Website Landing Page
Access study participation links and final data from the San Diego County study (September 2025 launch)
Ongoing Research
Update to the study planned for 2028 (similar reports also planned for Cook County, Illinois and other southern California counties)
August 2025 – Scope of Work
September 2025 – Build Survey, Begin Outreach
October 2025 – Phase One: Research and Development Survey Launch
November 2025 – Survey Outreach/Case Study Setup
December 2025 – Finalize Survey Outreach/Case Study & Teacher Training
January 2026 – Phase Two Case Studies Launch Baseline Knowledge Assessment
February 2026 – Case Studies/Survey Analysis
March 2026 – Case Studies/Finalize Survey Results & Analysis
April 2026 – Case Studies/Earth Day Survey Results Teaser
May 2026 – Case Studies/Final Classroom Visits
June 2026 – Case Studies/Final Knowledge Assessment
July 2026 – Analyze Case Studies/Compile Full Research Results
August 2026 – Finalize Recommendations and Final Report
September 2026 – Release Final Report, Targeted Outreach Campaign to Share Results
How The Study Results Can Be Used
School Districts
The Climate Ready Classrooms Report will provide an evidence-backed baseline that maps gaps in access to environmental education in Elementary schools across San Diego County. It will also help guide administrators and teachers by comparing environmental education delivery models (classroom vs. after-school), providing recommendations for schools to target resources and outdoor learning investments, and advocating for policy and funding with administrators and legislators.
Elected Officials
The Climate Ready Classrooms Report will equip elected officials with a countywide, PK–5 baseline analysis of access to environmental education in the region. This report will examine the delivery methods of environmental education and rank them on effectiveness, identify gaps in accessibility by location, and provide recommendations to help shape environmental education policy in San Diego County. Future reports will provide updates on growth metrics in the region.
Environmental Education Providers
By giving a countywide picture of PK–5 environmental learning plus head-to-head comparisons of delivery models (monthly programs, after school programs, scout troops, summer camps, etc), this study equips providers with clear guidance on where gaps exist, and how best to shape their programs to help increase engagement, participation, and content retention.
Help Fund Our Research
With your support, we can conduct the first-ever countywide assessment of environmental education for PK–5 students in San Diego.
The results will help expand access, improve programs, and give more kids the chance to build a strong foundation in environmental literacy.