An Empirically Derived Framework for Building Strong Outdoor Education Partnerships

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Title: An Empirically Derived Framework for Building Strong Outdoor Education Partnerships
Language: English
Authors: Lisa Meerts-Brandsma (ORCID 0000-0002-9563-8220), Hilary Lambert (ORCID 0009-0007-5815-3383), Bryn Spielvogel (ORCID 0000-0002-2509-6948), Sasha Mader (ORCID 0009-0008-2305-8009), Jim Sibthorp (ORCID 0000-0002-4574-9141)
Source: Educational Policy. 2026 40(3):381-409.
Availability: SAGE Publications. 2455 Teller Road, Thousand Oaks, CA 91320. Tel: 800-818-7243; Tel: 805-499-9774; Fax: 800-583-2665; e-mail: journals@sagepub.com; Web site: https://sagepub.com
Peer Reviewed: Y
Page Count: 29
Publication Date: 2026
Document Type: Journal Articles
Reports - Descriptive
Descriptors: Outdoor Education, Partnerships in Education, School Community Relationship, School Community Programs, Educational Demand, Educational Policy, Policy Formation, STEM Education, Educational Opportunities, Educational Objectives
DOI: 10.1177/08959048251340876
ISSN: 0895-9048
1552-3896
Abstract: Schools are increasingly partnering with outdoor education providers to address growing educational demands for hands-on STEM learning and social and emotional skill development. Using the Eisenhardt case study method, we developed an empirically based framework designed to guide school staff, outdoor education providers, and policymakers in building strong outdoor education partnerships. The framework addresses key factors, including the need for distinctive educational experiences, mutual goal satisfaction, a partnership steward, operational and logistical fit, and the trust of parents and caregivers. Implications for educational leadership and policy development are discussed, including how policy can strengthen these types of collaborations.
Abstractor: As Provided
Entry Date: 2026
Accession Number: EJ1501584
Database: ERIC
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  Data: An Empirically Derived Framework for Building Strong Outdoor Education Partnerships
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Lisa+Meerts-Brandsma%22">Lisa Meerts-Brandsma</searchLink> (ORCID <externalLink term="https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9563-8220">0000-0002-9563-8220</externalLink>)<br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Hilary+Lambert%22">Hilary Lambert</searchLink> (ORCID <externalLink term="https://orcid.org/0009-0007-5815-3383">0009-0007-5815-3383</externalLink>)<br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Bryn+Spielvogel%22">Bryn Spielvogel</searchLink> (ORCID <externalLink term="https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2509-6948">0000-0002-2509-6948</externalLink>)<br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Sasha+Mader%22">Sasha Mader</searchLink> (ORCID <externalLink term="https://orcid.org/0009-0008-2305-8009">0009-0008-2305-8009</externalLink>)<br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Jim+Sibthorp%22">Jim Sibthorp</searchLink> (ORCID <externalLink term="https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4574-9141">0000-0002-4574-9141</externalLink>)
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="SO" term="%22Educational+Policy%22"><i>Educational Policy</i></searchLink>. 2026 40(3):381-409.
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  Data: SAGE Publications. 2455 Teller Road, Thousand Oaks, CA 91320. Tel: 800-818-7243; Tel: 805-499-9774; Fax: 800-583-2665; e-mail: journals@sagepub.com; Web site: https://sagepub.com
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Outdoor+Education%22">Outdoor Education</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Partnerships+in+Education%22">Partnerships in Education</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22School+Community+Relationship%22">School Community Relationship</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22School+Community+Programs%22">School Community Programs</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Educational+Demand%22">Educational Demand</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Educational+Policy%22">Educational Policy</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Policy+Formation%22">Policy Formation</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22STEM+Education%22">STEM Education</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Educational+Opportunities%22">Educational Opportunities</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Educational+Objectives%22">Educational Objectives</searchLink>
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  Data: 10.1177/08959048251340876
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  Data: 0895-9048<br />1552-3896
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  Data: Schools are increasingly partnering with outdoor education providers to address growing educational demands for hands-on STEM learning and social and emotional skill development. Using the Eisenhardt case study method, we developed an empirically based framework designed to guide school staff, outdoor education providers, and policymakers in building strong outdoor education partnerships. The framework addresses key factors, including the need for distinctive educational experiences, mutual goal satisfaction, a partnership steward, operational and logistical fit, and the trust of parents and caregivers. Implications for educational leadership and policy development are discussed, including how policy can strengthen these types of collaborations.
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  Data: 2026
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        Value: 10.1177/08959048251340876
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      – Text: English
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        PageCount: 29
        StartPage: 381
    Subjects:
      – SubjectFull: Outdoor Education
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Partnerships in Education
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: School Community Relationship
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: School Community Programs
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      – SubjectFull: Educational Demand
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      – SubjectFull: Educational Policy
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      – SubjectFull: Policy Formation
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      – SubjectFull: STEM Education
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      – SubjectFull: Educational Opportunities
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      – SubjectFull: Educational Objectives
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      – TitleFull: An Empirically Derived Framework for Building Strong Outdoor Education Partnerships
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