Environmental literacy in biodiversity terms at the end of the compulsory school: case study in Amadora, Portugal

This study assessed the contribution of formal environmental education, of the Portuguese national curricula, to student’s knowledge of biodiversity and related subjects, at the end of compulsory school. We also investigated the contribution of Alternative Courses on Education and Training to student’s environmental literacy, in terms of their knowledge of biodiversity and related subjects. The results of this study suggest that the formal environmental education of the national curricula and the alternative curricula did not significantly affect the environmental literacy of students, in terms of their knowledge of biodiversity and related subjects. A number of implications for Curriculum development and instructional practice are presented, and recommendations for further research are provided.