2019-2020 EDAI Reporting Summary
In 2019-2020, we asked schools to select all of the historically underrepresented populations served by their outdoor school programs and whether they instructed and/or supported these populations of students. The percentage of schools serving these communities of students were reported as follows:
69% of schools supported and instructed rural learners
98% of schools supported and instructed low socio-economic status students
58% of schools reported supporting and instructing American Indian and Alaska Native Students
56% of schools reported supporting and instructing Asian students
51% of schools reported supporting and instructing Pacific Islander students
60% of schools reported supporting and instructing Black/African-American students
84% of schools reported supporting and instructing Hispanic/LatinX students
47% of schools reported supporting and instructing Middle Easter/North African students
57% of schools reported supporting and instructing Gender non-conforming/LGBTQ+ students
In 2019-2020, we changed the format of our report questions, asking schools a yes/no question about whether they served English Language Learner (ELL) students.
52% of schools reported that ELL students attended outdoor school, and that their schools provided interpretation services or language aides, translated materials for students and/or bilingual instructors or volunteers. As well, some schools had bilingual parents and chaperones attend outdoor school with the students.
We also changed our reporting process, and asked schools to identify whether special education students attended outdoor school, and whether those students identified as receiving special education had behavior plans, IEP’s, specialized instructional services, or if students needed mobility assistance.
30% of schools reported that students with disabilities or receiving special education services attended outdoor school programs. They reported that students with behavioral plans or requiring a paraprofessional attended, that students with disabilities that required assistive staff or adaptive gear attended, that students that were medically fragile attended, and that students that required specialized instruction attended outdoor school.