Based on the evaluations, the following steps are advised for future "Essentials" workshops:

1. Minimize the amount of content covered in each workshop, and maximize the depth and applicability of what content is covered.
Rationale: This will address the most common negative item mentioned in the assessment.

2. Offer a series of in-depth modules on a variety of topics and allow the organization requesting or sponsoring the workshop to customize by selecting from the series.
Rationale: This will address the wide variety of participant interests and prior background knowledge.

3. Revise the "Essentials" manual to reflect the module concept, and publish it so that it will be available to anyone wishing to use it throughout the state, (higher education faculty, organizational trainers, etc.).
Rationale: This will address the concerns of EE administrators who requested facilitation tools. It will also provide more people access to the second most popular workshop resource. It also addresses the implementation of the EPA grant funding for the publication of the workshop manual.

4. Topics recommended for the module series are as follows. They are listed in order of expected availability.
Rationale: This list is based on topics most frequently listed as desirable by participants in the workshops, and which are currently available from PCEE.

"Essentials" Modules for 2000-2001
· Formal education basics for nonformal educators, (How to set goals, objectives, procedures, select developmentally appropriate activities, and evaluate).
· Introduction to the goals and guiding principles of EE and how they can be applied to program development.
· How to use the Internet in environmental education.
· Overview of Statewide EE Resources.

"Essentials" Modules for 2001-2002
· How to teach about environmental issues.
· Developing and selecting curriculum using "Guidelines for Excellence"

5. The "Assessment" section to include PDE assessment vocabulary and information on program evaluation.
Rationale: This would complete the formal education module. The assessment section currently covers only a sketchy collection of assessment information.

6. Upon the completion of steps 1-5, begin to develop a process for the wider distribution of the "Essentials of EE for Pennsylvania" program.
Rationale: This addresses the long-term support of the professional development workshops sponsored by PCEE.

7. Make selected aspects of the workshop available on-line as interactive tutorials.
Rationale: This addresses the fact that the PCEE Web site was listed as the top resource that participants were interested in using.

8. Create an e-mail discussion and support group for EE networking.
Rationale: This addresses participants high rating of the discussion and networking sections of the workshops. It is a way of providing extended opportunities for this type of activity.

9. Provide additional networking support for EE through the PCEE Web site. This includes an expanded EE events calendar, a statewide EE bulletin board, and a statewide EE resources directory.
Rationale: This addresses the high ratings given to EE Resources by workshop participants.

10. The higher education subcommittee should further develop programs for environment and ecology standards articulation for higher education pre-service teacher education faculty.
Rationale: This addresses one of the top-rated activities in the March 13th higher education workshop, as well as one of the top rated resources for all workshops, and one of the most requested program topics.