Peer-reviewed research2017–2026 update
Diversity in Outdoor Education: Discrepancies in SEL Across a School Overnight Program
Instructors rated students' social-emotional skills as improving over an immersive outdoor programme, but they saw larger gains for white students than for students of colour.
What's new
This pilot study examined instructor ratings of social emotional learning (SEL) for 69 fifth-grade students from a public school (n = 50) and a private school (n = 21) in western Washington state. The students took part in an immersive outdoor education programme. Instructors' ratings of students' SEL skills increased significantly over the programme. Instructors saw white students as improving more than students of colour.
Why it matters in Aotearoa
Equity in EOTC outcomes matters for the diverse learners in Aotearoa. This study prompts schools and providers to check whether all groups benefit equally.
Putting it into practice
When you evaluate outcomes from camps or programmes, break the results down by student groups to check for gaps. Also check how bias might shape the ratings themselves.
How strong is the evidence
This is a small pilot study that relies only on instructor ratings, which may reflect rater perceptions as well as actual student change.
What to read
The findings and the implications for equitable programme design.