A Critique of the Use of Values Clarification in Environmental Education

During the last five years, many scholars have begun to question the validity of the use of values clarification methodology in environmental education. While the methodology ideally allows student, teacher, and institutional values about the environment to be incorporated in the educational curricula, it is argued that values clarification methodology is theoretically weak. Eight major objections to the use of values clarification methodology in environmental education are summarized. Factors that need to be considered before environmental educators further advocate values clarification methodology as a component of environmental education are discussed. (19 references)