Evaluation and research

Conducting research and evaluation is an important function of the Outdoor School Program. We are informed by participatory and culturally responsive approaches to inquiry.

Our work includes an ongoing statewide evaluation of outdoor school, as well as special projects on critical topics. We produce reports and publish in journals to broaden our reach. We also provide do-it-yourself resources and personalized support for programs doing their own evaluation.

Ongoing statewide evaluation

Every year, the Outdoor School Program collects stories and other data to help us understand how outdoor school is going statewide. Our ongoing evaluation uses multiple sources of data, including annual school-level reporting, surveys, questionnaires, submitted stories, and data from the Oregon Department of Education. Findings include:

Since 2017-2018, the first year of statewide funding, participation in outdoor school has grown from 124 to 175 school districts across Oregon. Today nearly every school district participates.
Roughly 36,000 fifth and sixth graders (~85% of eligible students) have participated annually for the past three years, although this stability is threatened by the recent budget cut.
Outdoor school consistently has a more positive effect on students’ learning, collaboration, enjoyment, place-based connection and sense of belonging than a typical week in the classroom.
High school student leaders report growth in confidence and employability skills.
The full impact of the June 2025 budget reduction will become clearer with time, but we are already seeing effects across all regions of the state.

Read our recent reports

Credit: Crystal Nichols (Cropped from original)

Oregon Department of Education Outdoor School data collection

For the first time this year, the Oregon Department of Education (ODE) is requiring school districts to report on outdoor school attendance for the 2024-2025 school year. We are excited about the new Outdoor School Data Collection and encourage full participation to ensure accurate reporting.

OSU Extension Service Outdoor School has worked closely with ODE during the establishment of this data collection. These data will help us to better understand the reach and impact of outdoor school across Oregon and will be beneficial in making the case to the Oregon Legislature for continued robust funding.

Visit ODE’s outdoor school collection webpage

Self-evaluation tools

We have developed a suite of three self-evaluation tools for educators and programs:

Instructional Resource Self-Evaluation Tool (IRSET)
Cultural Responsiveness Self-Evaluation Tool (CRSET)
Special Education and Accessibility Self-Evaluation Tool (SEASET)

The self-evaluation tools are designed to support programs in reflecting on strengths and opportunities for growth, especially related to making outdoor school more equitable, accessible, and culturally responsive.

Access the tools

Evaluation data and resources

Each year participating school districts must submit a final report about their students' outdoor school experience. These reports provide rich data on outdoor school experiences and effectiveness, while also ensuring fiscal responsibility in program implementation statewide. Each year, results are reported to Oregon's state legislature and used to update the Outdoor School Explorer, making key data publicly available.

Engaging deeply with evaluation can improve your organizational culture, evolve your programs toward equity, and strengthen your relationships with the communities you serve. See evaluation data, workshops and resources for educators and programs.

Explore the resources

Credit: Russell James

Questions or suggestions?

Deborah Good is the Outdoor School program's Research, Evaluation and Assessment Coordinator. Feel free to contact Deborah should you have any questions or suggestions regarding research and evaluation. Also, sign up for our News for outdoor school stakeholders email list if you would like to receive regular updates.

Contact Deborah

Contact Outdoor School

541-737-4391

Email

[email protected]

Outdoor School